Health Report: Weird Science?
Ground-breaking research is pushing us closer to the
possibility of treating diseases using the body's own cells.
But some feel nurturing stem cell culture is pushing science too
far. Jerome Burne investigates...
Eva wasn't quite three
when her parents received the shocking diagnosis that their
daughter had leukaemia. "It was a cruel double blow at the
time," says her mother Amy Winston-Hart from Leicestershire.
"Only a few days earlier we'd been told my grandfather
also had leukaemia." Ten days later he died in the same
hospital where Eva was receiving treatment.
Tests showed that Eva had a particularly virulent and rare form of
the blood cancer leukaemia that meant as well as the chemotherapy,
she needed a stem cell transplant to survive, as her own blood stem
cells buried deep in her bone marrow had been so damaged by the
cancer, she needed new ones.
These small but mighty cells are found in nearly every type of cell in the body. They are the ultimate spare parts machines. When cells are damaged or killed off, the stem cells for that organ spring into action to replace them. Unlike regular cells, they can keep dividing forever. Because blood cells need to be constantly replaced, blood stem cells are especially active.
Until very recently, the only way a leukaemia patient like Eva could get replacement versions of these life- saving cells was via a bone marrow transplant. But unfortunately for Eva, there was a problem. The bone marrow has to come from someone who is a close genetic match or there is a risk of a violent immune reaction. "None of us were able to provide a match," says Amy. "And among 600 volunteers, there wasn't one who was a match for our sick little girl."
Fortunately, a much more easily accessible supply of blood stem cells than bone marrow has been discovered in the umbilical cord, which connects foetus and placenta in the womb. There they play a vital role in finalising the development of the immune system before birth.
It is the ability of stem cells to create new cells that has propelled them to the cutting edge of medical technology, promising one day the ability to replace or regrow organs that have been damaged - like the heart or a new kidney - in the lab. Then they could be transplanted without the need for immune-suppressing drugs, as they would be made with the patient's own cells. That's the promise. But if you are a patient waiting for a life-saving transplant right now, it's still a dream. However, a few patients have already benefited from experimental stem cell repairs to damaged eyes and the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The only stem cells that currently are used on a daily basis are the blood stem cells.
A few years ago a special 'bank' was set up by the Anthony Nolan Trust in the UK to collect umbilical cords at birth, and a national program now does something similar. If the hospital you give birth at is involved you'll be asked if you want to donate. Collection is quick and painless and takes place immediately after birth. The cords will then be stored and made available for those who need the stem cell types it contains.
Thankfully for Eva, the Trust located a match via its international connections - a cord donated by the parents of a little boy born just five months before Eva's diagnosis in New Jersey, USA. So two years ago, the doctors first increased the intensity of Eva's chemotherapy to destroy all the existing blood stem cells in her bone marrow, then infused a new set from the donor. Following a few complications the new stem cells began pumping out healthy immune cells and the cancer then went into remission.
She's now back home where she's still recovering from her long illness. "Eva's happy her hair has grown back now the chemo has finished," says her mother, "and she's steadily improving. When I thought she was going to die, I knew I had to do everything I could to save her. I couldn't bare the idea of looking back and thinking I should have done more."
To read more, please turn to page 56 of your May issue
or click here to join.
Post Your Comment
You must be logged in to submit a comment.
If you are not yet a Candis member and want to find out more about the benefits of joining Candis Magazine...
We're confident that our travel insurance will provide you with peace of mind, allowing you the freedom to sit back, relax and get the most out of your holiday. Whether you're off on a short break or venturing further afield, our policies will keep you covered. Save up to £22.58 with Candis Travel Insurance More
Comments:
There are currently no comments for this article, be the first by using the box below.