Some interesting developments have been made in research into making bone marrow transplants safer and easier on the patient.
From
http://www.chp.edu/centers/03_bonemarrow_research.phpA number of studies are underway looking at treatment methods that will make marrow and cord blood transplants kinder, gentler and safer. Their ultimate goals are to reduce the complication rate and improve quality of life for children undergoing this procedure...Dr. Lakshmanan Krishnamurti’s clinical research is focused on developing newer, gentler types of bone marrow transplantation for patients with inherited blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease and Thalassemia...Researchers, such as Dr. Krishnamurti, have learned that BMT becomes less toxic when large doses of immunosuppressive medications are given before transplant, instead of high doses of chemotherapy. This reduced intensity conditioning reduces many of the risks and side effects associated with BMT...Dr. Krishnamurti performed the first successful BMT using such a reduced intensity conditioning regimen on an 8-year old girl with sickle cell disease. Ultimately, it is hoped that such reduced intensity conditioning regimens will make BMT available to many more patients with sickle cell disease and Thalassemia.
Eliminating the harsh side effects of chemotherapy would be a major achievement in the field of BMT's.