BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION IN THE PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA

Bone marrow transplantation, both allogeneic and autologous, has been undertaken in People's Republic of China (PRC) since the beginning of 1980s at a steadily increasing rate. Eight BMT units can be regarded a s active. Altogether 230 cases of allogeneic- and syngeneic-BMT have b een reported to the Chinese BMT Registry (CBMTR) by the end of October 1993. More than 85% of the cases were acute or chronic leukemia. The incidence of acute grade II-IV GVHD was 29.5% in matched sibling BMT. The special problems of BMT in China include decreasing family size, f inancial difficulties and relatively high incidence of various viral i nfections. A number of unique approaches to treatment have been tested with benefit including mixed infusion of fetal cells for prophylaxis of acute GVHD and intravenous placental globulin for the treatment of chronic GVHD. Garlic ingredient has been shown to be effective against CMV and has been used in the clinic with encouraging results. The ove rall outcome of allogeneic and autologous BMT are comparable to those in the other major BMT centers in the world.