Cl. Kaufman et St. Ildstad, Leukodystrophy and bone marrow transplantation: Role of mixed hematopoietic chimerism, NEUROCHEM R, 24(4), 1999, pp. 537-549
Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) is currently the most physiologic treatme
nt for some types of leukodystrophies. In enzyme deficiency states, replace
ment of defective genes with cells carrying "normal'' copies of these genes
offers a natural form of gene therapy. This review will cover the various
disease states which may be treated using bone marrow transplantation as we
ll as the obstacles and advantages offered by this treatment modality. The
potential for mixed hematopoietic chimerism, with reference to the advantag
es and disadvantages of treating various leukodystrophies, is reviewed. Fin
ally, certain approaches which would reduce the morbidity and mortality ass
ociated with conventional BMT are discussed. If these obstacles can be over
come, BMT may offer the hope of cure to a number, but certainly not all, le
ukodystrophies.