Systemic Mastocytosis Stem Cells Therapy in Europe

How can stem cells help?

The benefits of a transplant of donor stem cells are still being investigated.

A retrospective study in 2006 evaluated 57 patients covering each subtype of Systemic Mastocytosis. Each patient received an allogeneic stem cell transplant with either reduced intensity chemotherapy conditioning or myeloablative conditioning (where the patient’s bone marrow is wiped out). On the whole, myeloablative conditioning was more successful.

The study reported a 40% survival of patients with acute Systemic Mastocytosis, which is better than the rate for those who didn’t have transplantations. Researchers concluded that allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplants are relatively safe and outcomes can be promising. However, more research is needed.

A recent study by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute investigated a reduced intensity chemotherapy preparatory regime, with no radiation prior to an allogeneic stem cell transplant, for patients with mastocytosis.

The aim was to see whether a stem cell transplant from a donor could target and destroy mast cells in a ‘graft-versus-mast cell’ effect, in a similar way that donated cells will target and destroy any residual tumours in the body after a transplant.

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Centre has been trialling various preparatory regimes prior to allogeneic stem cell transplants for patients with haematological cancers, including Systemic Mastocytosis. They are also looking into combining this procedure with monoclonal antibodies to help guard against immune system responses like Graft-versus-Host Disease.

The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center is comparing the survival rates of patients with diseases such as Systemic Mastocytosis who undergo haemopoietic stem cell transplants, with survival rates reported in the medical literature for patients who haven’t undergone a transplant. They are also looking into the success rates of reduced intensity protocols. Hopefully this will help improve stem cell transplants for patients with System Mastocytosis.

Categories: Stem Cells therapy

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