What is a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation?

What is a hematopoeetic stem cell transplantation? These treatments are used to replace blood cells in people with certain diseases. They are given through a central line, like a blood transfusion. Patients typically remain in the hospital for a few weeks, awaiting the regeneration of new blood cells. A hematopoietic stem cell transplant is also used in cases where cancer treatments have damaged the patient's blood cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells are transplanted into patients to replace their own faulty or dead cells. The transplant can be allogenic, using donor stem cells. These stem cells are given to the patient after radiation therapy or chemotherapy. This type of transplant is known as an ALLO transplant and works by triggering a phenomenon known as graft-versus-tumor effect in the recipient's immune system.

A hematopoietic stem cell donor can be derived from a deceased patient or a donor. HSCT is performed to restore the patient's immune system and reestablish the ability to produce blood cells. It is used for both malignant and nonmalignant diseases. HSCT is a complicated medical procedure, with substantial risks to patients. Those planning to initiate a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program should consider all aspects of the procedure before establishing a patient's eligibility.

Process Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

The process of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation involves collecting blood from the umbilical cord. A healthcare professional will collect 40 to 70 milliliters of blood from the cord between the clamps. The sample is stored in a cord blood bank. Once collected, the marrow will be processed to remove red blood cells. The marrow is then stored at room temperature or in a refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.

Non-myeloablative HSCT may be more effective for patients with sickle cell disease, thalassemia, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic dysfunctions. Depending on the type of donor, nonmyeloablative HCT can be an effective option for many patients. The process of immune reconstitution is slow, and many patients have troublesome infections for a long time after the transplant.

Before and after a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, patients undergo extensive medical tests. These tests can reveal hidden problems, such as infection or organ dysfunction. The healthcare provider may order many blood tests and imaging studies before the transplant to monitor organ function. In addition to blood tests, recipients may undergo tests that measure kidney and heart function, and an echocardiogram may be used to assess heart and lung function.

Allogenic HSCT may cause graft versus host disease (GVHD), where the new stem cells in the body attack the person's own tissues. The potential for graft versus host disease varies by center, patient's age, and previous treatment. Nonetheless, it's a risk that must be carefully weighed against the benefits. Recovery from a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may take anywhere from several weeks to several months. Some patients may need to stay in the hospital for up to 100 days.

In addition to treating a disease like leukemia, stem cell transplants can also be used to treat cancer. They replace diseased blood cells with healthy ones. Stem cell transplants can be performed on patients or donors. However, the patient will need to be healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The procedure may be used as a life-saving treatment for some types of blood disorders, including cancer and AIDS.

A successful transplant may mean different things to different people, but in general, it means that blood counts are stable and immune system has recovered. This is important because low blood counts put a patient at risk of infection, bleeding, and tiredness. If these complications occur, the health care team will prescribe an antibiotic to boost the patient's immune system and help prevent infection. This is the main reason why the treatment is so effective.

Conclusion

Patients who have cancer or another disease that has damaged their blood stem cells can receive an umbilical cord blood transplant. These stem cells are obtained from a donor who gave their life to the child. The recipient can receive the cells from either parent or a sibling. A parent-child transplant is another common option for cancer patients. Another procedure called haplotype mismatched transplant uses cells from a parent or sibling. This type of transplant can provide a cancer cure in cases where the HLAs are mismatched.

While hematopoietic stem cell therapies are frequently used to treat malignant and nonmalignant conditions, chronic complications have gained more attention in the past decade. A person with a kidney disease may experience complications such as end-stage renal disease (CKD), which requires dialysis. Chronic kidney disease can even lead to death after a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Read More related to this content.