Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy (BMT) for Cancer Treatment at CMN Hospital

At CMN Hospital, Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy (BMT) is a vital component of our cancer treatment protocols, specifically designed to enhance the immune system. This therapy involves extracting and transplanting fighter cells from the healthy bone marrow of the patient. This process is specifically targeted at strengthening the immune system's ability to combat cancer effectively.

Key Components and Safety:

  • Source of Immune Cells: We focus on harvesting immune cells, such as lymphocytes (including T cells and B cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells, essential for the immune system’s response against cancer.

  • Extraction and Transplantation Process: Fighter cells are extracted through a straightforward needle aspiration from the patient’s healthy bone marrow, a procedure typically completed within 30 minutes. These cells are then carefully processed and reintroduced to the patient intravenously.

  • Immune System Enhancement: The transplanted fighter cells play a crucial role in revitalizing the patient’s immune system by enhancing its capacity to produce effective immune responses.

  • Safety and Efficacy: Using autologous cells (cells derived from the patient themselves) minimizes the risk of immune rejection and other complications. The entire process adheres to strict safety protocols to ensure optimal outcomes and patient comfort.

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy is an essential strategy at CMN Hospital for treating cancer, significantly improving patient outcomes by reinforcing the immune system. This treatment reflects our commitment to innovative, personalized cancer care, ensuring each patient receives the most effective treatment tailored to their specific needs.

What Is Bone Marrow?

Bone marrow is a soft, sponge-like tissue in the center of some of the bones in the body, such as the hips and thighs. Bone marrow is where blood cells are made and contains two types of stem cells:

  • Blood stem cells

  • Stromal stem cells.

Blood stem cells, which are also known as haematopoietic stem cells, can differentiate into all blood cell types, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, whereas stromal stem cells can differentiate into fat, cartilage, and bone cells.

For the body to heal, stem cells are essential. Blood stem cells create the three types of blood cells we need, red, white, and platelets, and you must have enough of each type in your blood for these blood cells to do their jobs. Certain situations can result in us not having enough of a certain type of blood cell; this is a common problem that cancer patients face, especially when undergoing traditional treatments.

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy (BMT)

Bone marrow stem cell therapy (BMT) is a procedure that restores stem cells that have been destroyed by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation. It also increases the number of healthy cells, thus increasing the body’s ability to fight foreign cells (such as cancer cells) on its own. This treatment combines two of the body’s strongest natural healers, bone marrow and stem cells, to boost the body’s healthy properties, which, in turn, helps to fight cancer.

What is Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy?

Autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy is a safe treatment option. performed under mild sedation to ensure patient comfort, typically lasting about 15-20 minutes. During this process, stem cells are extracted from the patient's own bone marrow, then purified and enhanced before being reintroduced into the body via IV. This treatment holds great promise of regenerating healthy tissue, strengthening the immune system, and effectively targeting cancer cells. The use of the patient's own cells eliminates the risks of mismatch or adverse reactions, offering a tailored approach to healing that is uniquely designed to meet the individual's specific health needs.

Biocompatibility:

Because the stem cells come from your body, there is no risk of rejection or adverse immune responses. This is a significant advantage over donor-derived stem cell transplants, which require a compatible donor. “Dr. Payan does not use the BMT for blood cancers such as Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma which are some of the most common types of blood cancer.”

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy Safety

Undergoing a bone marrow aspiration is a safe procedure. It's common to experience some soreness, minor bleeding, or a slight bruise at the needle insertion site, similar to any procedure involving a needle. Should you notice these symptoms, there's no need for concern. They are temporary, and our experienced medical team is on hand to ensure your comfort and well-being.

Reinfusion: Administering stem cells intravenously is a simple and safe procedure, carrying minimal risk similar to standard IV treatments. It's conducted in a sterile setting to greatly lower the chance of infection.

Effectiveness and Long-Term Safety:

The success of autologous stem cell therapy can vary among individuals. Many patients experience significant improvements, while others may see varying degrees of benefit. Extensive research indicates that this therapy is safe, with a very low risk of complications.

Post-Treatment Care and Support:

From the start of your treatment journey, our dedicated team at CMN Hospital closely monitors every aspect of your care, prioritizing your safety above all. After your treatment, we remain committed to your well-being, offering ongoing support as you recover, ensuring a secure and nurturing process. Autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy is a highly effective and preferred treatment for cancer patients, particularly those who have not seen desired results with other therapies. Key benefits include:

High Compatibility: Using your own stem cells eliminates the risk of rejection or immune reactions.

Minimal Procedure Risks: Bone marrow harvesting is straightforward, with any discomfort or risk being minimal and well-managed.

Controlled Environment: The entire process is conducted in a sterile medical setting, reducing the risk of infection.

Side Effects Management: Any side effects, such as temporary fatigue from mild sedation, are short-lived and effectively managed with proper care from Dr. Payan and his medical team.

Positive Long-Term Outlook: Early studies and patient experiences indicate significant potential for improved outcomes, with ongoing monitoring and support ensuring your well-being. Bone marrow stem cell therapy restores stem cells destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and increases the number of healthy cells, enhancing the body's ability to fight cancer. This treatment combines the body's natural healers, bone marrow and stem cells, to boost healthy properties and combat cancer.

Inside the bone marrow, blood stem cells divide and mature to make new blood cells. During this process, the cells become either lymphocytes (a kind of white blood cell) or other blood-forming cells. These other blood-forming cells mature into red blood cells, white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), or platelets.

Types of blood cells

(1)Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all other tissues in the body, and take carbon dioxide back to the lungs to be removed. Having too few red blood cells (anemia) can make you feel tired, weak, and short of breath because your body tissues aren't getting enough oxygen.

Platelets are actually cell pieces made by a type of bone marrow cell called the megakaryocyte. Platelets are important in plugging up holes in blood vessels caused by cuts or bruises. Having too few platelets (thrombocytopenia) may cause you to bleed or bruise easily.

White blood cells help the body fight infections. Having too few white blood cells (neutropenia) lowers your immune system and can make you more likely to get an infection.

Types of white blood cells

Lymphocytes are mature, infection-fighting cells that develop from lymphoblasts, a type of blood stem cell in the bone marrow. Lymphocytes are the main cells that make up lymphoid tissue, a major part of the immune system. Lymphoid tissue is found in lymph nodes, the thymus gland, the spleen, the tonsils, and adenoids. It's also scattered throughout the digestive and respiratory systems and the bone marrow. The 2 main types of lymphocytes are:

  • B lymphocytes (B cells) protect the body from invading germs by developing (maturing) into plasma cells, which make proteins called antibodies. The antibodies attach to the germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi), which helps other white blood cells called granulocytes recognize and destroy them. B lymphocytes are the cells that most often develop into chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells.

  • T lymphocytes (T cells) can recognize cells infected by viruses and directly destroy these cells. They also help regulate the immune system.

Granulocytes are mature, infection-fighting cells that develop from myeloblasts, a type of blood forming cell in the bone marrow. Granulocytes have granules in them that look like spots under the microscope. These granules contain enzymes and other substances that can destroy germs, such as bacteria. The 3 types of granulocytes -- neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils -- are distinguished under the microscope by the size and color of their granules.

Monocytes develop from blood-forming monoblasts in the bone marrow and are related to granulocytes. After circulating in the bloodstream for about a day, monocytes enter body tissues to become macrophages, which can destroy some germs by surrounding and digesting them. Macrophages also help lymphocytes recognize germs and start making antibodies to fight them.

Reference

(1) American Cancer Society Normal Bone Marrow, Blood, and Lymphoid Tissue

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/about/normal-tissue.html