Stem cells can be used to treat many forms of cancer including leukaemia and myeloma. One type of stem cell that is particularly useful for cancer treatment is the Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC). HSCs are used to help the body grow healthy red blood cells once again after a patient has been treated with chemotherapy or radiology.
Scientists have recognised the value of HSCs and are currently investigating new ways to obtain the maximum benefit from using them. They believe the ability of stem cells to grow healthy cells makes them useful for treating many other conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injuries, and macular degeneration.
Researchers have also developed new methods for using stem cells to grow healthy cells in a laboratory setting. These cells can later be transplanted into the patient. In addition to using stem cells to generate more stem cells, they can now use stem cells to create red blood cells and white blood cells.
These breakthroughs mean that a laboratory can produce millions of stem cells and blood cells for a cancer patient to use when they need them. These techniques can save thousands of lives each year.
One person who has benefitted from stem cell research is George Schwartz. George was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. His only hope was to receive a strong regiment of chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant. Doctors extracted some healthy stem cells from his system, before he was treated with chemotherapy. The stem cell treatment saved his life.
Scientists are leaning more about the ability of stem cells to grow healthy cells each day. Other forms of stem cells can be used to regenerate heart tissue, neurones, ligaments, skin and even parts of the eye. The ongoing research is very exciting and more breakthroughs are expected in the coming years!
Source: Doctors use stem cells to grow healthy cells for cancer patients
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