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Why are there regional differences in stem cell transplantation activity? An EBMT analysis

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 42, pages S7–S10 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Differences in the number of hematopoietic SCTs (HSCT), in transplant rates, in indications and in techniques between countries have been reported. They were attributed mainly to differences in the economic situation of the countries or to differences in prevalences of the disease. On the basis of the results of the annual activity survey on HSCT of the European Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), we have analyzed the factors associated with differences between more than 600 teams participating from more than 40 countries over a time span of 15 years. The results show a more complex situation. The gross national income per capita, number of transplant teams per 10 million inhabitants or per 10 000 km2, team size and team experience all impact on transplant activity. Furthermore, hitherto unknown factors must add to the decisions to perform or not to perform HSCT. These data illustrate that more research is needed to understand the mechanism of HSCT activity and to enable health-care agencies to provide the necessary infrastructure.

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Acknowledgements

The cooperation of all participating teams and their staff, the EBMT Co-ordination office: Barcelona (F McDonald, E McGrath, SM Jones, EJ Mac Hale), Paris (V Chesnel, C Kenzey, C Durand, NC Gorin), London (C Ruiz de Elvira, S Hewerdine, S de Souza, N Fortin-Robertson), the Austrian Registry (H Greinix, B Lindner), the Czech Registry (K Benesova, M Trnkova), the French Registry SFGM (D Blaise, C Raffoux, Z Chir), the German Registry (H Ottinger, K Fuchs, C Müller, S Allgaier, A Müller), the Italian Registry (A Bacigalupo, R Oneto, B Bruno), the Dutch Registry (A Schattenberg, Av Biezen, M Sneets, R Brand), the Spanish Registry (J Rifon, A Cedillo, J López), the Swiss Registry (U Schanz, H Baldomero, E Buhrfeind), the Turkish Registry (G Gurman, M Arat, F Arpaci, M Ertem) and the British Registry (C Craddock, J Cornish, K Towlson, M. Wilson) is greatly appreciated. We also thank S Stöckli for excellent secretarial assistance as well as L John for technical assistance with data management. The work was supported in part by the European Leukemia Net LSH-2002-2.2.0-3, by a grant from the Swiss National Research Foundation, 3200B0-118176, the Swiss Cancer League, the Regional Cancer League and the Horton Foundation. EBMT is supported by grants from the corporate members: Amgen Europe GmbH, F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Gilead Sciences UK, Miltenyl Biotec GmbH, Schering-Plough International Inc, Celegene International SARL, Genzyme, Chugai Sanofi-Aventis SNC, Fresenius Biotech GmbH, Gambro BCT, Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Therakos, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pharmacon, Cephalon, Pierre Fabre Médicament, GE Healthcare, Alexion Europe, Pfizer, Biosafe SA, Merck Sharp and Dohme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    A Gratwohl

  2. Department of Hematology, EBMT Activity Survey Office, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    H Baldomero

  3. Institute for Operations Research and Computational Finances, University of St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland

    K Frauendorfer

  4. Department of Hematology, University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany

    D Niederwieser

Authors
  1. A Gratwohl
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  2. H Baldomero
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  3. K Frauendorfer
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  4. D Niederwieser
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Consortia

for the Joint Accreditation Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy ISCT and the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation EBMT (JACIE)

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Gratwohl.

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Conflict of interest

Dr Gratwohl has received consulting fees from Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibbs and Pfizer and research support from Novartis, Roche, Amgen, Pfizer, BMS, and Osiris. None of the other authors declared any financial interests.

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Gratwohl, A., Baldomero, H., Frauendorfer, K. et al. Why are there regional differences in stem cell transplantation activity? An EBMT analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 42 (Suppl 1), S7–S10 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.104

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