Bone-Marrow Transplant in an Identical Twin

Abstract

A graft of hemopoietic cells from an identical twin was used successfully in the treatment of severe hypoplastic anemia of unknown origin in a 9-year-old child. Similar success in treatment of marrow failure, also in a 9-year-old girl, is reported by Thomas and associates (p 1079). This brings to five the number of reported cases of isogenic bone-marrow transplants, three of them with successful outcome. In spite of the risks involved, further use of this technique in identical twins is encouraged.