Clinical Scorecard: In Memoriam: Roger Herschel Herzig, Influential Figure in Leukaemia Treatment and Transplantation

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Founder of the Bone Marrow Transplant Programme at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center in 1976
• Contributed to clinical trials establishing high-dose cytarabine for acute leukaemia relapse and consolidation
• Helped establish bone marrow transplant programs internationally and educated multiple generations of physicians

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Utilize haematology/oncology fellowship-trained expertise for diagnosis and management of leukaemias and lymphomas

Management

• Employ high-dose cytarabine for treatment of acute leukaemia relapse and consolidation
• Consider bone marrow autotransplants for advanced lymphomas
• Use high-dose melphalan in haematopoietic cell transplantation protocols

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor patients closely during haematopoietic cell transplantation for complications related to in-dwelling venous catheters and therapy toxicity

Risks

• Be aware of risks associated with high-dose chemotherapy and transplantation including infection and catheter-related complications

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients with acute leukaemia, advanced lymphomas, and candidates for haematopoietic cell transplantation

High-dose cytarabine and melphalan-based regimens remain foundational in consolidation and transplant conditioning; bone marrow autotransplants are effective for advanced lymphomas

Clinical Best Practices

• Develop multidisciplinary transplant programs with dedicated haematology/oncology expertise
• Incorporate clinical trial data to optimize high-dose chemotherapy regimens
• Ensure rigorous training and education of physicians in transplant protocols
• Maintain close patient monitoring for catheter management and transplant-related toxicities

References

• Bone Marrow Transplantation 2014; 49:597–8
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