Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as immunotherapy B lymphocytes versus leukemia

Research described in this thesis focuses on the role of B lymphocytes in graft versus leukemia responses following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are myeloid malignancies with a poor prognosis. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is often applied as consolidation therapy, to induce a graft versus leukemia (GvL) immune response. However, this is a high-risk therapy with major complications, excluding many people for this treatment. The aim of this thesis was to study GvL immune-biology, because a better understanding of GvL immune responses will lay the foundation to develop less harmful, more effective therapies. We studied the role of B cells in GvL immune responses in patients with AML and MDS who were treated successfully with an allogeneic HSCT and found new targets for therapy and potent antibodies.