Suellen Hinde
October 25, 2009
In a world first breakthrough, Queensland researchers have discovered how to protect vital stem cells from damage during cancer treatment.
Mater Medical Research Institute scientists have been lauded internationally for their discovery, which will reduce the need for blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants and improve recovery times.
The breakthrough research ? which involves putting stem cells to sleep to protect them from chemotherapy treatment ? has been selected for presentation at the American Society of Haematology in December.
A major side-effect of chemotherapy is damage to the stem cells that produce the blood and immune systems.
"By studying how these stem cells are naturally regulated we have found a way to make more of them go to sleep," research fellow Dr Ingrid Winkler said.
"When sleeping, these stem cells are protected from chemotherapy and can later wake up to make new blood and immune cells. This is good news as the loss of immune cells after chemotherapy means that patients are very susceptible to infections.
"For patients this would mean less additional support following chemotherapy such as transfusions or bone marrow transplantation."
The Queensland researchers discovered a molecule that, when removed, puts active blood stem cells to sleep.
"This is what stem cell scientists are watching internationally," Dr Winkler said.
"If we can work out a way to control blood stem cells, then we can work out how other stem cells make other decisions in the body.
"Cancer cells follow the same decision-making process, so by understanding the stem cells, we will be able to start manipulating cancer cells."
Specialist Physician with Mater Health Services, Professor Kerry Atkinson, said the research was an "exciting development for cancer patients".
"By protecting the haematopoietic stem cells during treatment we will be able to significantly improve the patient's recovery."
October 25, 2009
In a world first breakthrough, Queensland researchers have discovered how to protect vital stem cells from damage during cancer treatment.
Mater Medical Research Institute scientists have been lauded internationally for their discovery, which will reduce the need for blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants and improve recovery times.
The breakthrough research ? which involves putting stem cells to sleep to protect them from chemotherapy treatment ? has been selected for presentation at the American Society of Haematology in December.
A major side-effect of chemotherapy is damage to the stem cells that produce the blood and immune systems.
"By studying how these stem cells are naturally regulated we have found a way to make more of them go to sleep," research fellow Dr Ingrid Winkler said.
"When sleeping, these stem cells are protected from chemotherapy and can later wake up to make new blood and immune cells. This is good news as the loss of immune cells after chemotherapy means that patients are very susceptible to infections.
"For patients this would mean less additional support following chemotherapy such as transfusions or bone marrow transplantation."
The Queensland researchers discovered a molecule that, when removed, puts active blood stem cells to sleep.
"This is what stem cell scientists are watching internationally," Dr Winkler said.
"If we can work out a way to control blood stem cells, then we can work out how other stem cells make other decisions in the body.
"Cancer cells follow the same decision-making process, so by understanding the stem cells, we will be able to start manipulating cancer cells."
Specialist Physician with Mater Health Services, Professor Kerry Atkinson, said the research was an "exciting development for cancer patients".
"By protecting the haematopoietic stem cells during treatment we will be able to significantly improve the patient's recovery."