 |
| Diagram shows standard regimen (left) compared to new Viagra regimen (right) – Credit Smith-Brendan, et al, Stem Cell Reports 2019 |
The new approach to harvesting stem cells involves a single oral dose of Viagra followed two hours later by a single injection of Plerixafor. The study published Oct. 10, 2019 in Stem Cell Reports showed that the method mobilized enough stem cells from the bone marrow in just 2 hours.
Bone marrow transplants for blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma require a lot of blood-forming stem cells in order to re-establish bone marrow in patients whose bone marrow is destroyed to kill the cancer prior to a transplant. Obtaining enough of the crucial cells requires either harvesting them from a donor’s hip bone, or by collecting them from the bloodstream, which can take several days to obtain enough of them.
The standard regimen for obtaining stem cells from the bloodstream requires daily injections of a growth factor called GCSF (Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) to stimulate the bone marrow to release stem cells into the bloodstream.
"Our approach could significantly increase the number of patients who could benefit from bone marrow transplants," said Camilla Forsberg, professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz and senior author of the paper. "Even though there are already ways to do this, the standard regimen doesn't work for everyone."
The study was done on mice and will take some time to conduct clinical trials in humans to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.
No comments:
Post a Comment