¹Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinik III, Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

Correspondence: Professor T Klingebiel, Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinik III, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt/Main 60590, Germany. E-mail: thomas.klingebiel@kgu.de

Abstract

The use of DLI can change chimerism and prevent rejection and relapse. However, the prerequisite for a successful use of this powerful and potentially harmful tool is a minimal burden with resting leukemia or in the case of nonmalignant disease autologous cells. Therefore, a monitoring of the hematopoietic chimerism and of the post-transplant MRD is recommended with a narrow (best: weekly) time schedule. Also, using low and increasing numbers of DLI, a GvHD can be avoided or even minimized.