From: Brett Paatsch (paatschb@optusnet.com.au)
Date: Tue Jun 10 2003 - 01:21:42 MDT
University Health Network researchers discover new class of human
stem cells
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-06/uot-uhn060503.php
"Cells show promise for cancer and transplant patients because of
rapid growth in bone marrow (Toronto, June 9, 2003) - Scientists
with University Health Network have discovered a new class of
human stem cells that rapidly grow when implanted in the bone
marrow of mice. The findings, available today in an advance on-line
publication of the international scientific journal Nature Medicine,
are a major advancement in human stem cell research with possible
significant clinical implications for designing more effective cancer
therapies.
"This is an exciting discovery because for the first time we have
found human stem cells that rapidly rebuild a blood system," said
Dr. John Dick, lead author of the study, senior scientist with UHN,
and a professor in the University of Toronto's Department of Molecular
and Medical Genetics. "The potential is that it may allow transplant
patients to quickly regain their blood cells, which are critical to their
immune system."
---- By injecting the stem cells (these would be adult hematopoietic cells - the patient's own cells - so no compatibility problems) into the bone marrow directly, rather than the bloodstream, it seems that the immune system (which is constructed from such cells) can rebuild itself in about half the time. This translated into humans might reduce the window of risk of infection following some cancer treatment where immunity was knocked out by chemo or radiation therapy. - Brett Paatsch (warning I am not an expert just an enthusiast)
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