What You Must Know About Allogenic Stem Cells

What Are Stem Cells?

Cells are the building blocks of man, and stem cells are the cells got from specific locations of the body, that are capable of differentiating into other cells, and also capable of regeneration. Stem cells are capable of differentiating into cells the blood-forming cells like erythrocytes, leucocytes and the platelets. On the other hand, they are also capable of forming non-hematological cells such bone cells, cartilage cells, mesenchymal cells, and special ones like the cardiac muscle cells, liver cells and so on. The stem cells can repair tissue cells, and also grow to form new cells. There are two types of stem cells. These are the

1. Autologous stem cells: Autologous stem cells are the cells that are gotten from a person called the donor, preserved in the storage place, then implanted in the same person. Autologous stem cell transplant is the best form of transplant, as it does not come with any of rejections. It is the most accepted type of transplant, and it has been beneficial for the treatment of numerous diseases such as osteoarthritis, myocardial infarction, diabetes, leukemia and so on. However, there are times when the stem cell of the patient cannot be used due to different reasons. Then the patient would need stem cells from a relative or anyone whose tissue type matches with the patient.
2. Allogeneic stem cells: Allogenic stem cells are stem cells that are extracted from an individual called the donor, preserved, then implanted in another person, called the recipient. The purpose of transplanting stem cells from one person to another is therapy. People sometimes do have severe diseases such as leukemia, different forms of lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other types of diseases which has defied treatment. Patients often receive stem cells from their relatives such as their brother, sister, and In other cases, they can also receive stem cells from unrelated donors; these are donors that are not related to the patient by biologically. However, before the stem cells are extracted and transplanted, the person has to be tested if he/she is a match for the donor. The process of testing the compatibility is referred to as tissue typing. The stem cells have some surface markers which are called “HLA markers.”

Why Allogeneic Stem Cells Are Important 

Even though autologous is the most preferred type of stem cell transplant, basically because it’s better to use one’s stem cells than to use someone else’s. Autologous stem cell transplant removes the possibility of rejections or tissue mismatch. However, there are some conditions in which autologous stem cell transplant cannot be done.

1. When the patient’s bone marrow has been affected by a disease: Some diseases affect the bone marrow. An example would be the severe malignant diseases. These diseases often destroy the bone marrow, therefore damaging the integrity of the stem cells that might be produced. In this scenario, the patient would have to rely on the stem cell of a donor.
2. When the patient is not strong enough for the extraction process: This happens when the disease is very severe. Patients are weak, and cannot withstand the process of extraction. In this case, healthy stem cells would have to be gotten from a relative or a donor that matches.
3. When the stem cells of a patient are compromised: There are some conditions that can only be treated by implanting new stem cells to the patient. An example is when a patient is affected by the dreadful sickle cell anemia. In this situation, all the red blood cells of the patient defect. So the patient has to rely on the stem cells of a healthy relative or a stranger donor, whose tissue type matches with the recipient.

How Are The Stem Cells Transplanted?            

This entirely depends on the type of disease that is to be treated. However, in the case whereby the patient’s bone marrow has to be induced to start producing new stem cells; the entire stem cells and other cells of the patient has to be wiped out. The process of transplantation usually starts with tissue typing. The donor’s HLA are tested if they are a match with the donor’s. If they are a match, then the next step is to schedule an appointment, and the stem cells would be extracted. This is after the patient has been medically proven to be healthy; without any blood or genetic disease. The process of extraction is a painless process. After the stem cells have been extracted, they are preserved in a “freezer.”

In disease conditions like leukemia or other forms of cancer, the patient would be treated with high dose chemotherapy and then radiotherapy. These processes would eliminate the patient’s stem cells and other blood cells.

The new stem cells are now passed to the patient through the veins. The process usually takes less than five hours. The stem cells travel to the bone marrow, where they would proliferate and form new cells. This process is called “engraftment.” This process takes fourteen days to a month to complete.

Complications Of Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant

Allogenic stem cell transplant does not have a lot of complications. This can be attributed to the advancements in stem cell research and medicine. However, there are still some risks that might ensue during the transplant. These are

1. Graft-versus-host disease: This commonly occurs within the first four months of the transplant. This is just the reaction of the body to the newly transplanted cells. Signs and symptoms associated with graft-versus-host disease are fatigue, vertigo, vomiting, diarrhea, hepatitis, itch, and These conditions are temporary and symptomatic treatment can be given to the patient.
2. The conditioning therapy which is the elimination of the patient’s blood cells and stem cell. This therapy leaves the patient vulnerable to infections and other diseases. Diseases associated with conditioning therapy are
3. Veno-occlusive disease of the liver
4. Infections
5. Vertigo, fatigue, etc.

References

Donnelly, A., Johar, S., O’Brien, T., and Tuan, R. (2010). Welcome to Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 1(1), p.1.

Donnelly, A., Johar, S., O’Brien, T., and Tuan, R. (2010). Welcome to Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 1(1), p.1.

Locke, P., O’Brien, T. and Tuan, R. (2011). Stem Cell Research & Therapy marks its first anniversary. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2(3), p.22.

Nassar, A. (2012). Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation. Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy, 5(2), pp.73-83.