ABSTRACT
In this chapter we examined existing evidence supporting the application of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for the treatment of severe and refractory cases of bronchial asthma or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Both diseases share chronic inflammatory features mediated by bone marrow derived T cells, but there may be a contribution of local tissue factors to their pathogenesis. Very limited animal and clinical studies support the use of high dose immunosuppression and stem cell rescue in these diseases. Selected cases of near fatal asthma or progressive idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may benefit from a clinical trial of less toxic HSCT, as seen in some forms of severe autoimmune diseases.
