Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity in China 2019: a report from the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group - Report - MDSpire
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Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation activity in China 2019: a report from the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Trends in China in 2019
Overview
In 2019, China reported a record 12,323 hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), with 78% being allogeneic and 60% of these from haploidentical donors (HID). The majority of transplants were performed in large centers, and acute leukemia remained the predominant indication for allogeneic HSCT.
Background
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a critical treatment for various hematologic and life-threatening diseases. Global HSCT activity has steadily increased, with regional variations in donor types and indications. The Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CBMTRG) collects nationwide HSCT data, revealing rapid growth in transplant numbers, particularly haploidentical donor transplants. This report analyzes 2019 data to provide insights into current HSCT trends in China.
Data Highlights
Parameter
Value
Total HSCTs in 2019
12,323
Allogeneic HSCTs
9,597 (78%)
Autologous HSCTs
2,723 (22%)
Haploidentical Donor (HID) HSCTs
5,771 (60% of allogeneic)
Matched Sibling Donor (MSD) HSCTs
22% of allogeneic
Unrelated Donor (URD) HSCTs
13% of allogeneic
Cord Blood (CB) HSCTs
5% of allogeneic
Median patient age (all HSCT)
31 years (range 0.2–79)
Median age (autologous HSCT)
49 years
Median age (allogeneic HSCT)
25 years
Pediatric patients (≤18 years)
3,752 (96% allogeneic)
Elderly patients (>50 years)
2,213 (44% allogeneic)
Transplant rate (allogeneic)
68.5 per 10 million population
Transplant rate (autologous)
19.4 per 10 million population
Top provinces by transplant volume
Beijing (21%), Guangdong (13%), Jiangsu (9%)
Major indications for allogeneic HSCT
AML (37%), ALL (24%), Aplastic anemia (13%), MDS (8%), Thalassemia (5%)
The annual number of HSCTs in China exceeded 10,000 for the first time in 2019, with 12,323 procedures reported.
Haploidentical donor transplants accounted for 60% of all allogeneic HSCTs, surpassing matched sibling and unrelated donor transplants.
Acute leukemia (AML and ALL) was the leading indication for allogeneic HSCT, comprising 61% of cases.
Autologous HSCT was primarily performed for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, each representing 41% of autologous cases.
Most transplant centers were small to medium sized, but large centers (>100 HSCTs/year) performed over half of all transplants.
Median patient age differed by transplant type: 49 years for autologous and 25 years for allogeneic HSCT, with a substantial pediatric population undergoing allogeneic transplantation.
Clinical Implications
The dominance of haploidentical donor HSCT in China highlights the feasibility and acceptance of this donor type, expanding transplant access especially when matched donors are unavailable. The predominance of acute leukemia as an indication underscores the critical role of HSCT in managing these diseases. Clinicians should consider regional transplant capacity and patient age distributions when planning treatment strategies.
Conclusion
In 2019, China demonstrated significant growth in HSCT activity, particularly in haploidentical donor transplants, with acute leukemia as the main indication. These trends reflect evolving transplant practices and expanding access to potentially curative therapies across diverse patient populations.
References
Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group 2019 -- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Trends in China
