Understanding Stem Cell Transplantation: Removing Sleepy Immune Cells and Fighting "The Bad Boys
Stem cell transplantation involves addressing the issue of immune cells failing to recognize and eliminate tumor cells, known as "The Bad Boys." By removing the dormant immune cells and replacing them with new ones from a compatible donor, the therapy aims to empower the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells effectively. It emphasizes the importance of well-matched donors to prevent potential complications and ensure successful treatment outcomes.
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Presentation Transcript
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the problem problem Sleepy immune cells The Bad Boys
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the problem problem Some immune cells become Bad Boys by simply growing uncontrollably. These are tumor cells. In principle, the normal immune cells would recognize these Bad Boys and kill them. But the Bad Boys may not be seen as Bad by the immune system that then keeps sleeping.
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the treatment treatment Viruses love this Remove the sleepy immune cells The Bad Boys
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the treatment treatment So the idea is to remove the sleeping immune cells and replace these with new immune cells from a donor that has almost the same HLA molecules. But then first the sleeping immune cells have to be removed. The Bad Boys don t care but viruses and bacteria love this phase of treatment as they have a chance to grow quickly while the donor s immune cells begin to expand.
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the solution solution Donor Superman immune cells Running away viruses The Bad Boys
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : the the solution solution Then new immune cells from the donor are introduced that do recognize the Bad Boys and thus kill the tumor. In addition, also viruses and bacteria are recognized. Patients are then living with the immune system of the donor to control the Bad Boys and infections.
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : how how to to treat treat everyone everyone? ? Not optimal donors for these patients Optimally HLA matched patients
Stem Stem cell cell transplantation transplantation: : how how to to treat treat everyone everyone? ? There is one issue. The differences between the donor and recipient (the patients) should be very small. Otherwise, the donor s immune system starts attacking all organs of the patient, which can be life threatening. Essentially, this is a transplantation problem where the donor immune system goes out of control. This is why it is important to have closely HLA matched donors and recipients. Since different populations have different HLA molecules, stem cell donors from every population are needed so that each patient has an equal opportunity to get the best and safest response regardless of their background. Otherwise Caucasian patients are best off as many more Caucasian donors are present in donor banks than other groups. Please see https://bethematch.org to find out how you can help solve this problem.
