Stem cell therapy and leukemia

What is a leukemia ?

This lack of immunity and gradual decrease in healthy red blood cells and platelets is what causes the symptoms of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) – the most common and aggressive form of the disease. The most common symptoms include pale skin, fatigue, weight loss, bone and joint pain, frequent infections and fever-like temperature changes.

Other forms of the disease include lymphocytic leukemia and myelogenous leukemia . These are diagnosed depending on the type of white blood cells affected and how they function. They can be either acute (aggressive) or chronic (slow moving and harder to notice and diagnose).^[3]

Age and genetics are the primary factors in developing leukemia, although it can be caused by smoking, chemical and ionising radiation exposure, making 12% of cases preventable.^[1]

Stem cell therapy research

Stem cell therapy is recognised as an effective treatment for certain cases of acute leukemia. It also lowers the risks associated with high doses of chemotherapy.

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) found in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow produce healthy blood-forming stem cells. When performed alongside chemotherapy, an infusion of healthy blood-forming stem cells restores function in bone marrow.

While it is most common for stem cells to be donated, autologous stem cell transplants are on the rise, where a patient’s own blood/bone marrow stem cells are used. Autologous stem cell transplants are easier for the patient to tolerate and have lower risks on complications.

In 2019, a baby in the UK received a successful stem cell transplant using umbilical cord blood HSCs.^[4] In 2017, umbilical cord blood HSCs and progenitor-derived cells were transplanted into older patients with acute myeloid leukemia and significantly increased immune function.^[5]