Stem cell therapy: a modern approach for treatment of certain types of cancer
Adham Abu Taha, PhD
An-Najah National University, Nablus
Stem cell transplants are sometimes used to treat lymphoma patients who are in remission or who have a relapse during or after treatment. Stem celltransplants allow doctors to use higher doses of chemotherapy to kill the cancer than normally would be tolerated. This treatment can kill the cancer cells but also destroys the bone marrow, which prevents new blood cells from being formed. This would be fatal if stem cells weren’t given back to replace the ones in the bone marrow. The stemcells used for the transplant can come from blood, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood. In most cases,stem cells from the blood are used. There are 2 main types of stem cell transplants (SCTs) based on the source of the stem cells. In an autologous SCT, the patient’s own stem cells are used. In an allogeneic transplant, the stem cells come from a donor. Autologous hematopoetic stem cells transplantation (AHSCT) is a complex process involving a multidisciplinary approach and resource utilization. The stem cell transplant process can be summarized in 8 distinct phases: (1) administration of mobilization agents, (2) mobilization, (3) collection, (4) preparation of product for storage, (5) cryopreservation, (6) administration of preparative regimen, (7) stem cell transplantation, and 8) engraftment and recovery. Upon regeneration of bone marrow function, patients may be cured from their disease.