Transplantation and Cellular Therapy for Older Adults-The MSK Approach.

Given unique characteristics of older patients, how best to deliver these higher-intensity and time sensitive treatment modalities for them remains challenging. Moreover, their short-term and potential long-term impact on their functional status, cognitive status, and quality of life may be significant considerations for many older patients. All these issues contributed to the lack of access and significant underutilization of these potential curative treatment strategies. In this review, we present up to date evidence to support potential benefits of transplantation and cellular therapy for older adults, their steady improving outcomes, and most importantly, highlight the use of geriatric assessment to help select appropriate older patients and optimize them prior to and following transplantation and cellular therapy. We specifically describe our approach at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and encouraging early results from its implementation.