New molecule boosts stem cell therapy
18 Sep 2014
Stem cell transplants could be revolutionised through the combination of a newly discovered molecule and novel bioreactor technology, scientists claim.
A group of researchers from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Université de Montréal, Canada claims to have discovered a new molecule which allows for the multiplication of stem cells in a unit of cord blood.
A full account of the breakthrough has been published in Science.
According to Guy Sauvageau, principal investigator at IRIC, this breakthrough has the potential to multiply by 10 the number of cord blood units available for a transplant in humans.
“This discovery looks to be highly promising for the treatment of various types of cancer
IRIC researcher Guy Sauvageau
For patients suffering from a number of blood-related diseases, including leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma, umbilical cord stem cells are commonly used for transplants as a ’last resort’ treatment.
Umbilical cord blood from new-born children is an exceptional source of hematopoietic stem cells for stem cell transplants, since their immune system is still immature and the stem cells have a lower probability of inducing an adverse immune reaction in the recipient.
According to researchers, the discovery will considerably reduce the complications associated with stem cell transplantation such as infection and anaemia. And it will be particularly useful for non-Caucasian patients for whom compatible donors are difficult to identify.
A clinical study, using the newly discovered molecule, named UM171, and developed bioreactor technology designed for stem culture, will be initiated in December 2014 at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital where Sauvageau also works as a haematologist.
“This new molecule, combined with the new bioreactor technology, will allow thousands of patients around the world access to a safer stem cell transplant. Considering that many patients currently cannot benefit from a stem cell transplant for lack of matching donors, this discovery looks to be highly promising for the treatment of various types of cancer,” Sauvageau said.
Initially, stem cells will be produced at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, and grafts will then be distributed to patients in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver for this first Canadian clinical study.
Study results should be available in December 2015.
