CELLULAR therapy activity across Europe reached a major milestone in 2024, with the latest EBMT activity survey reporting more than one million haematopoietic cell transplants performed since 1990 alongside continued expansion in chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.
Cellular Therapy Activity Reaches New Milestone
The 2024 survey collected data from 688 centres across 53 countries and documented 47,204 haematopoietic cell transplants in 43,791 patients. Of these procedures, 21,023 were allogeneic and 26,181 were autologous.
Overall transplant activity declined slightly compared with 2023: −1.1% overall; −3.9% autologous. However, allogeneic transplant activity increased by 2.6%, representing the highest annual allogeneic activity recorded to date.
Researchers reported that unrelated donors accounted for 56% of allogeneic procedures and increased by 5% compared with the previous year. Use of human leukocyte antigen identical sibling donors remained stable at 25%, while haploidentical donors accounted for 19% of procedures. Cord blood transplantation continued to decline: −6.2%.
The main indications for allogeneic transplantation were myeloid malignancies at 62%, lymphoid malignancies at approximately 24%, and non-malignant disorders at approximately 17%. Among autologous procedures, plasma cell disorders represented 59% of indications, followed by lymphomas at 22% and solid tumours at approximately 6%.
CAR T Therapy Continues Rapid Expansion
Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy activity continued to rise substantially in 2024. A total of 6,082 patients received treatment, representing a 24.5% increase compared with 2023. Since 2018, more than 20,000 patients have undergone chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy according to survey data.
Lymphomas remained the leading indication for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy at 70%, followed by multiple myeloma at 18% and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 8%. Investigators also observed a marked increase in use for autoimmune diseases, which rose by 67%.
Future Monitoring of Cellular Therapy Trends
Paediatric transplant activity decreased slightly during the reporting period: −1.7% overall; −1.9% allogeneic; −1.1% autologous. Despite fluctuations in annual activity, investigators noted that transplant and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy activity have increased steadily over time, with pandemic related declines mitigated through safety measures and healthcare system resilience.
From 2025 onwards, the EBMT survey will separately capture adult and paediatric activity data. Researchers stated that this approach aims to create a more comprehensive database capable of monitoring trends, informing clinical practice, identifying unmet needs, and assessing equitable access to cellular therapy.
Reference
Greco R et al. The 2024 EBMT activity report: crossing one million HCTs and 20,000 CAR-T. A landmark in cellular therapy. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2026; doi: 10.1038/s41409-026-02919-9.
Featured image: somchai20162516.
