Graft vs. leukaemia reactions in chronic myeloid leukaemia.

A 39-year-old female relapsed 36 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia. Infusion of peripheral blood leucocytes from her bone marrow donor resulted in complete remission, and she remains leukaemia-free 18 months later. This case provides direct evidence for a 'graft vs. leukaemia' (GVL) effect contributing to the eradication of leukaemia after marrow transplantation. Existing evidence for GVL and its possible mechanisms are reviewed.