Syngeneic Stem Cell Transplants

A syngeneic stem cell transplant is a type of allogeneic transplant, meaning it comes from a donor. You can only receive a syngeneic transplant if you have an identical twin or triplet who can donate stem cells.

Conditions possibly requiring a syngeneic stem cell transplant

Syngeneic transplants are used to treat:

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia
• Testicular cancer
• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• Severe aplastic anemia

Advantages and disadvantages of syngeneic stem cell transplants

Benefits and risks of syngeneic stem cell transplants include:

• Your body readily accepts the cells: There is no risk of graft-versus-host disease because your immune system recognizes your identical sibling’s stem cells as your own.
• Your body may not fight cancer cells: The new immune system created by your sibling’s cells is nearly identical to your own. Like your old immune system, this new system may not recognize and fight cancer cells, possibly leading to a relapse.
• You get cancer-free donor cells: Donors undergo rigorous medical screenings. Their stem cells are known to be free of cancer.