Haematologica
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Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with CD34+ cell-selection (CD34+-PBSCT) allows rapid hematologic engraftment with a reduction in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), although concerns exist regarding the increased risk of tumor relapse associated with T-cell depletion of the graft. Delayed T-cell add-back (TCAB) after such transplants may restore the graft-versus-tumor effect while achieving a reduced early transplant-related mortality due to less GVHD in a group of patients at high risk of early death (i.e., age >= 45 years). ⋯ The results of our pilot study suggest that this protocol produces an acceptable transplant-related morbidity and mortality in patients 45 years and older. However, there may be benefit in infusing CD34+-selected PBSCT with even lower T-cell contents and further delaying the TCAB.