Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment: Stem cell transplants are harnessed to replace bone marrow cells that have been destroyed by cancer, chemotherapy, or radiation used in cancer treatment.
Various types of stem cell transplants exist All involving high doses of chemotherapy (sometimes coupled with radiation) to eliminate cancer cells. However, these high doses can also wipe out all of a person’s stem cells and temporarily halt the production of blood cells in the bone marrow. In other words, intentionally destroying all original stem cells of a person becomes necessary.
Stem cell transplants come to the rescue here. Transplanted healthy stem cells help “rescue” the bone marrow by replacing the body’s stem cells that have been destroyed by treatment. Hence, the transplantation of healthy cells allows doctors to use much higher doses of chemotherapy to try to kill all cancer cells. Transplanted stem cells can transform into healthy, mature blood cells that function normally, reproducing cells that are free of cancer.
Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment
Another way a stem cell transplant can work is by using stem cells from another person (not the cancer patient). In these cases, the transplant can help treat certain types of cancer. In a way that is not merely replacing stem cells. Frequently, donated cells can locate and eliminate cancer cells more effectively than the cancer patient’s immune system cells. This is known as the “graft-versus-cancer” or “graft-versus-leukemia” effect. The “graft” consists of donated cells, and the effect means that certain types of transplants effectively help kill cancer cells. This happens alongside rescuing the bone marrow and enabling normal blood cells to develop from stem cells.
Sources of Stem Cells for Transplants
Depending on the type of transplant performed, there are three possible sources of stem cells for use in transplants:
- Bone marrow (either from the patient or someone else)
- Peripheral blood (blood from the patient or someone else)
- Cord blood from newborns
Cancers Affecting Bone Marrow
Some types of cancer originate in the bone marrow, while others can spread to it. Cancer in the bone marrow leads to excessive production of certain cells, which are unhealthy and do not function as they should, outnumbering and preventing the normal development of other cells. For these cancers to stop growing, the bone marrow cells need to function correctly and begin producing new healthy cells.
Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment
Most cancers affecting the function of the bone marrow are leukemias, multiple myelomas, and lymphomas. All of these cancers start in blood cells. Other cancers can spread to the bone marrow, affecting the function of blood cells as well.
For certain types of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, a stem cell transplant can be a crucial part of treatment. The goal of the transplant is to eliminate cancer cells and damaged or unhealthy cells that do not function properly, providing the patient with new healthy stem cells to “start anew.”
Conclusion: Unleashing the Potential of Stem Cells in the Fight Against Cancer
In the ever-evolving landscape of medical treatments, stem cell transplants emerge as a revolutionary strategy against cancer. By replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow cells with healthy stem cells, this approach not only rescues vital bodily functions but also opens doors to a unique form of cancer treatment.
The versatility of stem cells, whether from the patient or a donor, showcases the potential for personalized and targeted therapies. The graft-versus-cancer effect adds an extra layer of efficacy, with transplanted cells exhibiting a remarkable ability to seek and destroy cancerous cells.
Don’t miss reading our article: Stem Cells and Cancer
