Stem-cell transplant works on lupus.In the autoimmune disease autoimmune disease, any of a number of abnormal conditions caused when the body produces antibodies to its own substances. In rheumatoid arthritis, a group of antibody molecules called collectively RF, or rheumatoid factor, is complexed to the individual's own gamma known as lupus, immune cells fail to distinguish good guys from bad. They attack cells of their own body as if they were foreign. Vital organs can take a beating. In an attempt to thwart such self-destruction, scientists have removed stem cells--progenitors of many cell types including immune cells--from the bone marrow of seven lupus patients and reinserted them later. The improvements to the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. are surprising, the scientists report in the Aug. 26 LANCET. Six of the seven patients appear to be cured. To start the procedure, the researchers collected some of each patient's stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young . Before injecting these cells back into the patients, however, the scientists treated each person with drugs that neutralized existing immune cells. Once returned to the body of a patient, these nascent immune cells gradually reestablished the immune system's self-protective priority and gave rise to a new immune system in the lupus sufferers, says study coauthor Ann E. Traynor, a physician at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. During the first year after the procedure, the patients took antiviral drugs Antiviral Drugs Definition Antiviral drugs are medicines that cure or control virus infections. Purpose Antivirals are used to treat infections caused by viruses. and other medication to control infections that might strike during this time of vulnerability. The patients, who ranged in age from 15 to 51 at the start of the treatments 3 years ago, had a severe form of lupus. They suffered from heart and kidney damage kidney damage Kidney injury Nephrology A structural or functional compromise in renal function due to external–eg, athletic, occupational, or other trauma, resulting in bruising or hemorrhage, which can be profuse and life threatening Etiology Vascular , high blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, seizures, and lung disease lung disease Pulmonary disease Pulmonology Any condition causing or indicating impaired lung function Types of LD Obstructive lung disease–↓ in air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of airways–eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; . All were severely ill before treatment and some were bedridden bed·rid·den or bed·rid adj. Confined to bed because of illness or infirmity. and near death, Traynor says. After treatment, all the patients showed better kidney, heart, blood, and lung functions. Only one has relapsed and currently needs to take antilupus medication. The other six are back at work or school and off such medication, says Traynor. She plans to meet with Food and Drug Administration officials this month to discuss a larger trial of the procedure. |
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