What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types in the human body. Hematopoietic produce all blood cells including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These stem cells are primarily located in the red bone marrow. They are needed in the treatment of several diseases including blood cancers and abnormalities in blood cell production that require stem cell transplantation.


What is Stem Cell Transplantation?

A stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, is a medical procedure used to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. During a stem cell transplant, the patient receives high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to destroy the diseased bone marrow. Then, the patient is given healthy stem cells, either from their own body (autologous transplant) or from a matched donor (allogeneic transplant). These new stem cells migrate to the bone marrow and begin producing healthy blood cells, helping the body recover from the effects of the treatment and restore normal blood cell production.


Why do we need Stem Cell Donation?

Stem cell transplantation is the ideal treatment for some diseases such as blood cancers, aplastic anaemia and thalassaemia. Even though there are several medical treatments available, they often do not provide a permanent cure. Therefore, by becoming a Stem Cell Donor, you can bring a ray of hope to a patient in need, potentially giving them a second chance at life.


Who will benefit from Stem Cell Transplantation?

Stem cell transplants are typically used to treat certain types of cancer and blood disorders. Here are some conditions and situations where a stem cell transplant may be beneficial:


Cancer

Stem cell transplants are commonly used in treating certain types of cancer, such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The procedure can help eliminate cancerous cells and allow for the regeneration of healthy blood cells.

Bone Marrow Disorders

Individuals with bone marrow disorders, such as aplastic anaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and certain inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, may benefit from a stem cell transplant to replace dysfunctional bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

Genetic Disorders

In some cases, stem cell transplants are used to treat genetic disorders that affect blood cells, such as thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

Immune System Disorders

Stem cell transplants can also be used to treat certain immune system disorders, such as severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and certain autoimmune diseases where the immune system attacks healthy tissues.

It's important to note that not everyone with these conditions will be eligible for or benefit from a stem cell transplant. Eligibility depends on various factors and each case should be individually evaluated to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.



What is a Stem Cell Donor Registry?

“An organization responsible for coordination of the search for hematopoietic progenitor cells from donors unrelated to the potential recipient.”
(WMDA International Standards 2017)


What is the Importance of a Stem Cell Donor Registry?

Only about 30% of the patients in need of a stem cell transplant as the life-saving treatment are able to find a matched family donor for Stem Cell Transplantation and the remaining 70% must find a matching donor outside of their family. Transplants have to be abandoned due to the lack of donors/ inability to find donors in a timely manner.
With a Stem Cell Donor Registry, we can quickly identify a Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) for the patients who do not have matched family donors.


Worldwide Registries

There are around 90 Stem Cell Donor registries worldwide with over 41 million donors registered. Some of the main registries are given below.


Asian American Donor Program

AADP focuses on diversifying the registry to better serve patients of Asian descent. Visit Website

Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry

This registry helps facilitate stem cell transplants for patients in Canada. Visit Website

Anthony Nolan - World’s first Stem Cell Donor Registry

Anthony Nolan is a UK-based charity that manages a registry of potential stem cell donors. Visit Website

European Bone Marrow Donor Registry (EBMT)

A network of over 600 transplant centers and stem cell registries in more than 60 countries.
It facilitates stem cell transplantation in Europe and beyond. Visit Website

World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA)

A global organization that coordinates activities related to volunteer unrelated donor registries and cord blood banks.
It sets standards for donor selection, matching, and other aspects of stem cell transplantation. Visit Website

DKMS

An international non-profit organization operating donor centers and registries in several countries. Visit Website

National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)

The largest and most diverse marrow registry in the world.
Be The Match Visit Website


History of Stem Cell Transplantation

The history of stem cell transplantation is a fascinating journey marked by significant scientific advancements and milestones.
Here is a brief overview:


Early Discoveries and Research (1950s-1960s)

Jean Dausset discovered the first HLA antigen, which he named "MAC" (later renamed HLA-A2). This discovery revealed the importance of histocompatibility antigens in organ transplantation.

1956

Dr. E. Donnall Thomas performed the first human bone marrow transplant between two identical twins. This groundbreaking procedure laid the foundation for future developments in stem cell transplantation.

1960s

Additional HLA antigens were identified, and the HLA system was recognized as the primary factor in the immune response to transplanted tissues. The World Health Organization (WHO) established the Nomenclature Committee for Factors of the HLA System to standardize HLA nomenclature.

1961

Researchers Till and McCulloch discovered the existence of stem cells in bone marrow, demonstrating their ability to differentiate into various types of blood cells.

1968

The first successful bone marrow transplant was performed to treat Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) using bone marrow from a sibling donor.

Pioneering Transplants and Advances (1970s-1980s)

Early HLA typing methods involved serology, using antibodies to detect specific HLA antigens on the surface of white blood cells.

1973

The first unrelated donor bone marrow transplant was performed in New York.

1974

The first formal stem cell donor registry, the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register, was established in the UK, driven by Shirley Nolan in memory of her son.

1975

Dr. Robert A. Good performed the first successful bone marrow transplant for a non-malignant disease, treating a patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Establishment of new Registries and Techniques (1980s-1990s)

Advances in monoclonal antibody technology improved the accuracy and specificity of serological HLA typing.

1986

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) was established in the United States, creating a more extensive and coordinated registry.

1988

The first successful umbilical cord blood transplant was performed by Dr. Eliane Gluckman in France to treat a child with Fanconi anemia.

Advances in Stem Cell Sources and Techniques (1990s-2000s)

The 1990s saw a significant shift from serological to DNA-based methods, revolutionizing HLA typing.

1990s

Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) became more common, offering an alternative to bone marrow transplantation.

1994

The World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) was founded to coordinate international efforts. Over the following years, international collaboration grew, leading to more extensive global donor databases.

1999

The first successful stem cell transplant using mobilized peripheral blood stem cells was reported.

Modern Era and Continued Innovations (2000s-Present)

Advances in genetic matching and immunosuppressive therapies significantly improved transplant outcomes.

2010s

The development of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens allowed older and sicker patients to undergo stem cell transplants.

Recent Years

Research into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and gene editing techniques like CRISPR holds promise for future advancements in stem cell therapies.

Impact and Future Directions

Stem cell transplantation has revolutionized the treatment of various hematologic malignancies, inherited blood disorders, and certain immune deficiencies. The ongoing research aims to improve the safety, efficacy, and accessibility of these life-saving procedures. Key areas of focus include reducing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), expanding donor pools, and exploring new stem cell sources and gene therapy techniques.