Autoimmune disease after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for refractory autoimmune diseases. The safety and long-term outcome have been also acceptable. Infectious diseases under immune suppressive state after autologous HSCT are common transplantation related complications whereas autoimmune diseases are uncommon. Organ specific autoimmune diseases, such as immune mediated thrombocytopenia and thyroid dysfunction, are the most common after autologous HSCT. Systemic autoimmune diseases can also develop after autologous HSCT in patients with hematological disorders with genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases. Although the mechanism of autoimmunity after HSCT is not well-known, long-term follow-up is essential in patients with autoimmune diseases treated with autologous HSCT. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.