Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Defining the role of allografts

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) remains an option for patients who have disease progression post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) or who would not be eligible to ASCT for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Data with myeloablative or non-myeloablative allo-SCT demonstrate that allografts are safe and feasible with potential benefits including lack of tumour cell contamination and possible graft-versus-lymphoma (GVLY) effect although limited by high non-relapse mortality (NRM). However, the benefit of GVLY effect may be minimal or minimized by NRM. The current role of allo-SCT in DLBCL remains to be defined by prospective randomized controlled trials.