cancer stem cells need to be first destroyed through chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the pre-treatment process itself frequently leads to multiple organ failure. This raises an urgent pressing need for‘ a milder precursor process’ for a successful marrow transplant.
Recently researchers at the Stanford University, led by Dr. Judith Shizuru developed a novel pre-treatment process for efficient bone marrow transplantation resulting in
Impressive attempts are now being made in programming stem cells towards various cellular phenotypes such as bone, cartilage, heart, nerves etc. Several studies are now underscoring the importance of cell signalling pathways in the use of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine.
significantly lowered side effects. The method has been tested in mice with encouraging outcome. If the method proves safe and effective, it could be used to cure life threatening human diseases in future. Dr Shizuru’ s team decided to specifically label and destroy native stem cells using armour of CD 47 and c-kit antibodies and allowing macrophages to eat them up. Their goal is to reduce the transplantation rejection levels to zero percent.
So, what is the way forward?
Regenerative medicine is an evolving branch of stem cell therapy. It includes the generation and use of therapeutic stem cells, tissue engineering and production of artificial organs. Impressive attempts are now being made in programming stem cells towards various cellular phenotypes such as bone, cartilage, heart, nerves etc. Several studies are now underscoring the importance of cell signalling pathways in the use of mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine. Just a few months ago, Dr Vaijayanti Kale’ s team from National Centre for Cell Science( NCCS), Pune demonstrated that signalling pathways prevailing in the mesenchymal stem cells may affect the outcome of therapy providing a new perspective to the current approaches. Dr Vaijayanti Kale is also the Research Advisor to Symbiosis Centre for Stem Cell Research( SCSCR). Current advances in stem cell research have further identified therapeutic potential of extra-cellular vesicles like microvesicles and exosomes that are secreted by the stem cells and this may completely shift the perspective of stem cell therapy, from a cell based therapy to a‘ cell free therapy’ in future.
Stem cell research is making giant leaps that could revolutionise the way we treat diseases. The possibilities are endless and it is a matter of time when stem cell treatments will get commercialized and implemented for helping patients with a range of human conditions. However, the history of bone marrow transplantation clearly shows that stem cell therapy can become a“ standard of care treatment” only if scientificallycorrect protocols are developed over-time and are continuously revised by constantly taking feed-back from basic research.
Note: References available on request.
Dr Anuradha Vaidya, a Ph. D. in Biotechnology, from the prestigious National Centre for Cell Science( NCCS), Pune, is currently the Deputy Director of Symbiosis School of Biomedical Sciences( SSBS), Symbiosis International( SIU) situated at Lavale, Pune. SSBS runs Masters’ programmes in Biotechnology and Nutrition & Dietetics as well as Ph. D. in Biomedical Sciences. A recent initiative, SSBS, is the frontline of research in some of the cutting edge areas in Biomedical Sciences of SIU. Dr Vaidya’ s current research focus is on Hematopoietic Stem Cells & Niche Biology, Cancer Biology and Signal Transduction. She is also coordinating the activities of Symbiosis Centre of Stem Cell Research( SCSCR) which is located at SSBS. The Centre will serve as a hub for several areas of research in Stem Cell Biology at a cellular and molecular level.
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