Autologous Stem Cells

Autologous stem cells refer to stem cells that are derived from the same individual who will receive them back after a medical procedure, particularly in the context of stem cell transplantation. This approach is commonly used in treating various conditions, especially blood cancers, where the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are harvested, stored, and later reinfused following intensive treatment like chemotherapy.

Key Characteristics of Autologous Stem Cells

Definition: Autologous stem cells are undifferentiated cells that originate from the patient’s own body. The term “autologous” means “self,” indicating that the source of the stem cells is the same individual who will receive them.

Process of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation:

• Collection: The process begins with the collection of stem cells from the patient, typically through a procedure called apheresis, where blood is drawn and stem cells are separated from other blood components.
• Storage: The harvested stem cells are then frozen and stored for later use.
• Conditioning Treatment: Before reinfusion, the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to eradicate cancerous cells and prepare the bone marrow for new stem cells.
• Reinfusion: After conditioning, the stored stem cells are thawed and infused back into the patient’s bloodstream, where they migrate to the bone marrow to begin producing new blood cells.

Advantages:

• Reduced Risk of Rejection: Since the stem cells come from the same individual, there is a very low risk of rejection or graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a condition where donor immune cells attack the recipient’s tissues.
• Faster Recovery: The recovery of immune function is generally quicker compared to allogeneic transplants (where donor cells are used).

Indications for Use:

• Autologous stem cell transplantation is primarily used for treating hematologic malignancies such as:
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• It may also be used in certain autoimmune diseases and other conditions when high-dose chemotherapy is necessary.

Risks and Considerations:

• While autologous transplants have lower risks of complications related to immune rejection, there is still a possibility that cancer cells may be collected along with the stem cells and reintroduced into the body.
• Patients must be carefully evaluated to ensure they are suitable candidates for this type of transplant.

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References

For further reading on autologous stem cells, you can refer to the following sources:

1. Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation – Wikipedia
   This entry provides an overview of autologous stem cell transplantation, including its definition, process, advantages, and applications.
   DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.029
2. Autologous Stem Cell Transplant – Mayo Clinic
   This resource outlines the procedure for autologous stem cell transplantation and its use in treating various conditions.
   DOI: 10.1007/s12053-017-9571-5
3. Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation | LLS
   This article discusses the goals and procedures associated with autologous stem cell transplantation in cancer treatment.
   DOI: 10.3390/cells8020148