Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant for Myelofibrosis and Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Contemporary Review

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only potentially curative therapy for patients with myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) and myelofibrosis (MF) and is the standard care for eligible patients with higher-risk disease. Despite significant advancements, both diseases pose unique challenges due to their clinical and molecular heterogeneity, necessitating personalized approaches to patient selection, timing, and transplant management. For MDS, genomic profiling has revolutionized prognostic frameworks such as IPSS-M, enabling tailored therapeutic decisions. In MF, driver mutations (e.g., JAK2, CALR, MPL) and additional high-risk molecular markers provide critical insights into disease biology and transplant outcomes. Optimal timing of HCT is critical, and recent models might help personalize treatment approaches. Molecular measurable residual disease monitoring has demonstrated prognostic value in both diseases, guiding preemptive strategies to mitigate relapse risk. Harnessing molecular technologies, clinical expertise, patient-centered decision-making, and innovative pharmaceutical strategies offers an exciting opportunity to shape a transformative and curative treatment framework. Here, we provide a contemporary review on HCT for MDS and MF, highlighting up-to-date insights into disease biology, standard of care, and recommendations, as well as open avenues.