Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has become an alternative approach in the treatment of malignant diseases for many patients. For some diseases, the five-year survival rate surpasses that of chemotherapy alone. The list of diseases for which hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been considered grows almost daily. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation allows administration of cytoreductive therapy with curative intent, without regard for the lethal effects to the marrow of this treatment regimen. The sources of stem cells are bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells mobilized by growth factors or chemotherapy, and cord blood.

The Children’s Hospital hematopoietic stem cell transplant program began in January 1989. From January 1989 to December 2005, 185 transplants were performed. Of those performed, 126 were allogeneic and 59 were autologous. By far, the most common conditions for which HSCT has been carried out are hematologic malignancies, e.g., acute leukemia.

Diseases such as leukemia are treated here at Children’s Hospital, New Orleans with the same protocols as those of the 240 Children’s Oncology Group (COG) institutions (e.g. St. Jude, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins) adopted throughout the nation. COG has recognized Children’s Hospital as the only hematopoietic stem cell site in Louisiana for COG protocol studies.

A multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists and blood bank personnel is available, with experience and commitment to the clinical practice and basic science of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

In July 2000, Children’s Hospital, led by Dr. Lolie Yu, became accredited by the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP) as a transplant center. Through the NMDP, Children’s Hospital has access to the largest worldwide registry of hematopoietic stem cell donors. This affiliation provides patients with the best chance of finding a suitable donor for transplantation. Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with LSUHSC, is also an approved COG hematopoietic stem cell transplant center with Dr. Yu as the principal investigator. Our HSOT program is also affiliated with the PBMTC and the BMT- CTN network.

For more information regarding the hematopoietic stem cell transplant center at Children’s Hospital, please contact the Hematology/Oncology office or Dr. Lolie Yu at (504) 896-9740.