Autograft Monocytes: The Bad Humors of Autologous Peripheral Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Day 15 absolute lymphocyte count (ALC-15) post-autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT) is a prognostic factor for survival. ALC-15 recovery post-APHSCT directly depends on the collected and infused autograft absolute lymphocyte count (A-ALC). However, post-APHSCT relapses are still observed despite higher ALC-15 recovery. Recent studies have shown monocyte-derived cells affect tumor progression by suppression of host anti-tumor immunity. Monocytes are also collected and infused in patients undergoing APHSCT. Therefore this article reviews the possible immunosuppressive mechanisms of the autograft absolute monocyte count (A-AMC) affecting the host immunity and survival in patients undergoing APHSCT.