Applied Genetics: Adult Stem Cell Application (Leukemia Disease)

Topic: Adult Stem Cell Application
Research Question: How are adult stem cells used for the treatment of leukemia disease?

What is leukemia? What is this application all about?
The cancer of blood and bone marrow or better known as leukemia has two types, acute and chronic leukemia. Leukemia causes white blood cells (leukocytes) to produce/develop abnormally. In some forms of acute leukemia, the body produces large numbers of abnormal white blood cells which looked like blasts (immature cells). As white blood cells are produced and found in a person's bone marrow, the abnormal cells gather in the bone marrow and at the same time it affects the number of normal white blood cells being produced. This causes the abnormal cells to dominate the number of normal white blood cells produced in the bone marrow. Acute leukemia are rapid growing leukemia that cause a sudden increase in cancerous immature white blood cells.

There is s couple of ways to cure/treat leukemia patients. The one of the most effective ways to treat leukemia patients is by using the high-dose chemotherapy and haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Chemotherapy is the most effective method to current date to kill leukemic cells and possibly cure patients. However, by using this method, the normal blood forming cells in the bone marrow will be severely damaged. So, in order to replenish these cells, the doctors use the haematopoietic stem cell transplant procedure. The cells are actually collected from the blood or the bone marrow of a healthy donor. The transplant includes important immune cells that will help kill leukemic cells. If it is possible to collect healthy cells from the patient before the treatment is performed, we can sometimes use the patient's own cells. If not, then they must find a donor that match the patient's tissue type otherwise the transplanted donor cells will be rejected and attacked by the immune system.

Original Paragraph:

Side effects of stem cell transplant

Stem cell transplants can have severe side effects.

A rare but serious side effect of stem cell transplant is called veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD).The high doses of chemo given for the transplant damage the liver. Symptoms include weight gain (from fluid collecting), liver swelling, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). When severe, it can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and even death.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the main problems of a donor stem cell transplant. It happens when the patient's immune system is taken over by that of the donor. The donor’s immune system then starts to attack the patient's other tissues and organs.

Symptoms can include severe skin rashes with itching and severe diarrhea. The liver and lungs may also be damaged. The patient may also become tired and have aching muscles. If bad enough, the disease can be fatal. Drugs that weaken the immune system may be given to try to control GVHD. On the plus side, this disease may also cause any remaining leukemia cells to be killed by the donor immune system.

Some other side effects can occur later but can last for a long time. These can include damage to any organ, such as the lungs, liver, or kidneys. 

Key Ideas

1. A rare but serious side effect of stem cell transplant is called veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD).
2. The high doses of chemo given for the transplant damage the liver.
3. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the main problems of a donor stem cell transplant.
4. It happens when the patient's immune system is taken over by that of the donor.
5. The donor’s immune system then starts to attack the patient's other tissues and organs.
6. On the plus side, this disease (GVHD) may also cause any remaining leukemia cells to be killed by the donor immune system.

Rephrasing:

A rare but serious side effect of stem cell transplant is called veno-occlusive disease of the liver (VOD).The high doses of chemo given for the transplant damage the liver. It can cause liver failure and then may cause death.Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is one of the main problems of a donor stem cell transplant.It happens when the patient's immune system is taken over by that of the donor.The donor’s immune system then starts to attack the patient's other tissues and organs.On the plus side, this disease (GVHD) may also cause any remaining leukemia cells to be killed by the donor immune system.

Bibliography:

• "Stem Cell Transplant for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia." Stem Cell Transplant for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014.
• "Leukaemia: How Can Stem Cells Help?" EuroStemCell. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014.