Treat lupus with stem cells

US scientists have successfully used the patient's own stem cells to treat lupus - a life-threatening, self-threatening disease.

Lupus disease (Photo: www.csmc.edu )

This treatment improves the morbidity of about 50% of lupus patients. They all stopped responding to conventional therapy. However, the new method still has risks.

According to Duane Peters of the American Lupus Society, the study provides a glimmer of hope for lupus patients who do not respond to standard treatments.

He hoped that further research could determine whether stem cell methods were better than other methods and compare their safety.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder or a form of arthritis. It occurs when the patient's immune cells start attacking the body's own tissue.

Symptoms are varied, ranging from joint pain to organ failure. Doctors tried to give patients a drug that suppresses the immune system. But not all patients react.

Richard Burt of Northwestern Medical School and colleagues recruited 50 patients with severe lupus and did not respond to standard treatments.

Doctors need to conduct many blood tests to diagnose lupus (Photo: www.csmc.edu )

To re-establish the immune system, researchers first isolated bone marrow stem cells from each patient's blood. These cells develop into immune cells.

Next, they use high-dose chemicals to destroy the patient's immune response. At this time, the patient must be hospitalized to avoid bacterial infection. Finally, stem cells are injected into the body through a vein. 2 people died before reaching this stage.

Upon returning to the body, the stem cells restored bone marrow and re-formed a healthy immune system. Among patients who were fully treated, the 5-year survival rate was 84%. The ability to live without getting sick again in this period is 50%.

In 2004, a similar test in Europe was also conducted. However, the death rate is 13%, compared with 2% for the above study.

Minh Son (According to NewScientist)