On 2/8/2008
Oncrx wrote:
Kevin
The HD preperative treatment is to kill off as many cancer cells as possible, but according to the article we have been discussing, the cancer stem cells are resistant to this treatment. So even if you kill off all cancer cells, the cancer always returns because you didnt kill the stem cells. Thats the theory anyway.
Donor matches depend on HLA markers. For adult donors, most places require a match of at least 5 of these 6 HLA markers. Even this cannot eliminate GvHD, but it does reduce the possibility. The younger you are the better your chances of dealing with the chemo, the transplant and the possible GvHD.
Good Evening ONCRX;
You're losing me! Are cancer cells different then cancer stem cells?
My understanding is that all cells are formed in the bone marrow. They mature into reds, whites or platelets and then leave the bone and float around the body performing their assigned duries. The cancerous ones are just cells that have not matured into one of the three and reproduce like crazy. Are not stem cells just immature normal cells?
The transplant they're discussing in the article is a tandem. My understanding from some trials is that you should have a remission from an auto before being selected for a tandem. Why would the researchers not want to try a tandem as a first line of defense?
Take care;
Kevin