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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 News and Current Lupus Events RSSAccumulated bits of a cell's own DNA can trigger autoimmune disease
A security system wired within every cell to detect the presence of rogue viral DNA can sometimes go awry, triggering an autoimmune response to single-stranded bits of the cell's own DNA, according to a report in the August 22nd issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication.
UT Pathologists Believe They Have Pinpointed Achilles Heel of HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston believe they have uncovered the Achilles heel in the armor of the virus that continues to kill millions.
'Multi-target' immune therapy improves outcomes of severe lupus nephritis
A new treatment using a combination of drugs targeting different parts of the immune system improves the recovery rate for patients with severe lupus involving the kidneys, according to a report in the October Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).
Specific location of the TRAF1/C5 gene associated with multiple autoimmune diseases
The TRAF1/C5 locus on chromosome 9 has been revealed to play a role in multiple autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Ovarian function and fertility preserved in women with severe systemic lupus erythematosus
Ovarian function can be preserved and disease activity controlled in women with severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) when treated with a 6-month course of cyclophosphamide (CYC), a chemotherapy drug, followed by the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).
Lupus more severe in patients with Southern European ancestry
ystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with a higher percentage of ancestry from southern Europe have more severe disease manifestations, according to new research presented today at EULAR 2008, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France.
'HiCy' drug regimen reverses ms symptoms in selected patients
A short-term, very-high dose regimen of the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide seems to slow progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most of a small group of patients studied and may even restore neurological function lost to the disease, Johns Hopkins researchers report.
Abnormal 'editing' of gene messages may be a cause of lupus
Researchers at Wake Forest University have uncovered evidence that the abnormal "editing" of gene messages in a type of white blood cell may be behind the development of lupus.
Adding epratuzumab to standard therapy
Adding a second monoclonal antibody drug to chemotherapy looks promising for treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
UNH Glycomics Center Helps Identify Sugar Linkage That Could Lead To Better Treatment For Autoimmune Diseases
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire Glycomics Center have helped identify a specific carbohydrate structure that confers anti-inflammatory activity to a glycoprotein antibody that could lead to improved treatment of autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
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