First Cord Blood Transplant Saves Alive
A nine-year-old Australian boy has made an amazing recovery after receiving a double cord blood transplant. After being diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia 18 months ago, Brad Hubbard underwent a failed chemotherapy treatment. A search for a bone marrow donor also failed causing doctors to try something new: a double cord blood transplant. Since doctors could not locate a single unit of cord blood that would yield enough stem cells, they opted for a second unit from a different baby. Although the total number of cells yielded from the two samples was lower than required, the blood works together to improve engraftment. While doctors aren't sure why this is, they do know that the engraftment occurred faster and fewer complications arose. Within 10 days of the transfusion, Brad's body was already producing healthy white blood cells giving him renewed hope for a future.
Source: The AgeOctober 23, 2004
Stem Cell Studies Suggest Blubber Can Be A Blessing
New research by the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Pittsburgh has shown that fat is not only a rich source of stem cells but that the stem cells are very adaptable. Stem cells from fat, technically termed adipose tissue, have proven themselves to be capable of either becoming, or at least mimicking the function, of various cells, including bone, cartilage, nerve, and heart or blood vessels. Although not as adaptable as embryonic stem cells, fat stem cells are much easier and far less controversial to obtain. Fat also contains significantly more stem cells than bone marrow, currently the most common source of adult stem cells. A cubic centimeter of fat contains 7,000 stem cells while a cubic centimeter of bone marrow only yields 500 stem cells. While much research still needs to be conducted on fat stem cells, current research, mainly on animals, has provided very positive results. Only one study involving five people has been conducted on humans so far. However, because of the overwhelmingly positive outcome of the study, another study is underway involving 50 people.
Source: Marie Mc Cullough, Kansas City StarBush Pushes Global Ban on Stem Cell Research
The Bush administration has initiated a campaign at the United Nations to have human cloning and embryonic stem cell research globally banned. 61 countries support the bill, most of which have a strong Catholic or Muslim population, and argue that stem cell research is unethical and morally unacceptable. They feel it makes a human being a tool of research and has the potential to turn women into egg-producing factories. Critics of the bill point out that halting stem cell research could threaten the chances of finding a cure for various afflictions, including cancer, diabetes and spinal cord damage. Almost 130 countries oppose the ban, stating that they should be allowed to decide for themselves how to deal with stem cell research in their own countries. A ban on human cloning has been agreed upon by all the nations. A vote to formally ban human cloning was initially set to take place in 2001 but has been postponed twice due to the significant controversy surrounding stem cell research.
Source: Maggie Farley, Los Angeles TimesOctober 22, 2004
Transplant of Joy
Akansha Bhatia has become the first recipient of a cord blood transplant in Dubai. The four-year-old girl had been diagnosed with homozygous beta thalassemia three years ago at which time her parents started heavily researching possible treatments for their daughter. They decided to travel to Chicago to undergo IVF treatments that would include screening the embryos for a perfect donor match for Akansha. Once her sister was born, the cord blood was collected and then stored while Akansha was worked up for the transplant. It will take Akansha up to a year to fully recover and have a normal immune system. Because the thalassemia was treated so early, doctors expect Akansha to lead a normal and healthy life. Without the cord blood transplant, Akansha would have required a blood transfusion every month. Without proper management of the disorder, many thalassemia suffers die by the age of 18 from cardiac arrest.
Source: Times of Oman
