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Blood Stem Cell Transplantation and Autoimmune Diseases
May 30, 2002Study of Lupus Patient Confirms Promise of Stem Cell Transplant Therapy
Findings Indicate Need for Wider Clinical Trials
For patients with severe autoimmune diseases, blood stem cell transplantation may be promising therapy option. This process involves an infusion of healthy blood cells to replace the body`s own malfunctioning ones and restore immune function. A recent case study, published in the June 2002 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, has shown this approach to be particularly effective in treating patients with the most serve form of Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
A chronic rheumatic disease, SLE affects joints, muscles, kidneys, lungs, and other parts of the body by autoimmune attack. In the case of an 18-year-old female patient, a short, intensive course of blood stem cell transplant produced complete remission of the disease. Diagnosed with SLE at age 14, the patient had suffered bouts of pneumonia, requiring ventilation and resulting in serious lung impairment. Failing to respond to conventional drug therapy, she also continually battled infections, weight loss, and anemia. In February 2000, the young woman began the blood stem cell transplant therapy, as part of a study at the University of Vienna. She repeatedly received infusions of high dose immunosuppressive agents followed by stem cells purified on the basis of a protein on the surface of cells called CD34. Within 9 days of receiving her transplant, the patient`s blood cells began to regenerate-completely free of disease.
Fifteen months after completing her blood stem cell transplant regimen, the patient had maintained overall excellent health-without taking any medication. She showed no signs of SLE-related problems. Her lung, kidney, and ovarian functions were all normal. In addition, she had fully intact function on a standard measure of a person`s ability to perform routine activities.
There have been numerous studies indicating the potential of blood stem cell transplants for patients with blood diseases and certain types of cancer. To date, researchers have studied only a small number of patients undergoing this therapy for autoimmune diseases. Consequently, the case of this young SLE patient is significant because it confirms blood stem cell transplantation as a potentially effective course of action for restoring healthy immune function. Researchers at the University of Vienna are currently conducting clinical trials to explore wider use of this therapy, as well as ways to apply it in the early stages of disease to prevent organ damage
John Wiley & Sons
A chronic rheumatic disease, SLE affects joints, muscles, kidneys, lungs, and other parts of the body by autoimmune attack. In the case of an 18-year-old female patient, a short, intensive course of blood stem cell transplant produced complete remission of the disease. Diagnosed with SLE at age 14, the patient had suffered bouts of pneumonia, requiring ventilation and resulting in serious lung impairment. Failing to respond to conventional drug therapy, she also continually battled infections, weight loss, and anemia. In February 2000, the young woman began the blood stem cell transplant therapy, as part of a study at the University of Vienna. She repeatedly received infusions of high dose immunosuppressive agents followed by stem cells purified on the basis of a protein on the surface of cells called CD34. Within 9 days of receiving her transplant, the patient`s blood cells began to regenerate-completely free of disease.
Fifteen months after completing her blood stem cell transplant regimen, the patient had maintained overall excellent health-without taking any medication. She showed no signs of SLE-related problems. Her lung, kidney, and ovarian functions were all normal. In addition, she had fully intact function on a standard measure of a person`s ability to perform routine activities.
There have been numerous studies indicating the potential of blood stem cell transplants for patients with blood diseases and certain types of cancer. To date, researchers have studied only a small number of patients undergoing this therapy for autoimmune diseases. Consequently, the case of this young SLE patient is significant because it confirms blood stem cell transplantation as a potentially effective course of action for restoring healthy immune function. Researchers at the University of Vienna are currently conducting clinical trials to explore wider use of this therapy, as well as ways to apply it in the early stages of disease to prevent organ damage
John Wiley & Sons
Lupus Current Events and Lupus News RSSSaliva proteins change as women age
In a step toward using human saliva to tell whether those stiff joints, memory lapses, and other telltale signs of aging are normal or red flags for disease, scientists are describing how the protein content of women's saliva change with advancing age.
Smokers with common autoimmune disorder at higher risk for skin damage
As if there weren't enough reasons to stop smoking, a team of researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) have just found another.
Kidney transplants generally safe for lupus patients
Individuals with a history of lupus who receive a kidney transplant rarely develop the serious inflammatory condition lupus nephritis in their new organ, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, CA.
Iberian wolves prefer wild roe deer to domestic animals
A Spanish researcher has analysed the preferences of wolves from the north east of the Iberian Peninsula to demonstrate that, in reality, their favourite prey are roe deer, deer and wild boar, ahead of domestic ruminants (sheep, goats, cows and horses).
OMRF scientists discover promising new path for treating traumas
A discovery by scientists at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation could help save lives threatened by traumatic injuries like those sustained in car crashes or on the battlefield. The work also holds potential for treating severe infectious diseases and diabetes.
Lupus patients perceive benefit from cardiovascular disease prevention counseling program
According to a new study by Hospital for Special Surgery investigators presented at the American College of Rheumatology meeting on October 21 in Philadelphia, most lupus patients are not aware that their condition puts them at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and a counseling program is a valuable way to promote education and lifestyle change.
Stanford study identifies cellular mechanism that causes lupuslike symptoms in mice
Macrophages, the scavenger cells of the body's immune system, are responsible for disposing of dying cells. Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have identified one pathway in this important process in mice that, if disrupted, causes a lupuslike autoimmune disease.
National report shines light on lupus 50-year treatment drought
Today, The Lewin Group, a national health care consulting firm, issued recommendations on ways to overcome the barriers that have obstructed lupus drug development resulting in no new drug approval for this disease in more than 50 years - since the Eisenhower Administration.
Promising new target emerges for autoimmune diseases
University of Michigan scientists say they have uncovered a fundamentally new mechanism that holds in check aggressive immune cells that can attack the body's own cells.
McGill/JGH researchers successfully reverse multiple sclerosis in animals
A new experimental treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) completely reverses the devastating autoimmune disorder in mice, and might work exactly the same way in humans, say researchers at the Jewish General Hospital Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and McGill University in Montreal.
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