bone marrow transplantation
Also written as: BMT — bone marrow transplantation
A therapeutic procedure involving infusion of hematopoietic stem cells to reconstitute the immune system in patients with severe immunodeficiencies.
Full Definition
A potentially curative treatment for severe primary immunodeficiencies involving the replacement of a patient's defective immune system with healthy hematopoietic stem cells from a donor. The procedure includes conditioning therapy to create space for donor cells, followed by infusion of stem cells that engraft and develop into functional immune cells. In pediatric immunology, bone marrow transplantation is primarily used for severe combined immunodeficiency and other life-threatening immunodeficiencies. Success depends on factors including donor compatibility, conditioning regimen, and prevention of complications such as graft-versus-host disease. The term encompasses various sources of stem cells, including bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood.
Usage
Usage note: May be abbreviated as BMT; increasingly replaced by 'hematopoietic stem cell transplantation' in formal contexts.
In Context
- "Bone marrow transplantation was considered the treatment of choice for the infant with severe combined immunodeficiency." — Treatment planning conference
- "Complications following bone marrow transplantation required intensive immunosuppressive management." — Post-transplant care documentation