What are the Types of Stem Cell Transplants

Indian researchers recently identified several factors linked to improved survival among multiple myeloma patients who have undergone stem cell transplantation. These factors included albumin levels at diagnosis and the achievement of a response – particularly a complete response –after transplantation, says an article published The Myeloma Beacon in November 2012.

2 Types of Transplant

Stem cell transplant is today used in the world to treat more than 80 diseases including cancers such as lymphoma, leukaemia, neuroblastoma and more. These cells are most commonly derived from the three following sources: bone marrow, bloodstream and umbilical cord blood. There are mainly two types of transplant: Autologous and Allogeneic.

1. Autologous – This type of procedure mainly uses the person’s own stem cells. It is actively being used in treating various cancers. Most transplants for multiple myeloma and relapsed non-Hodgkin's or Hodgkin lymphoma are autologous, according to an article published in WebMD. Its use is coupled with high-density treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. The cells are harvested from the patient’s body and frozen. Post the chemo or radiation, the harvested units are infused in the patient’s body in order to help the body rebuild its immune system. One of the major advantages of this therapy is that there is less risk of rejection or graft versus host diseases as the cells infused are the person’s own. However, its disadvantage is that the graft versus tumour effect may not be produced therefore it could be less effective in fighting the cancer. Autologous transplant can also been done with the help person’s own cord blood collected and frozen at the time of birth.
2. Allogeneic – Allogeneic transplant refers to the type of therapy that takes the stem cells from another person. The donor could be related or unrelated. Each person has a unique tissue type which is characterised by Human Leucocyte antigens (HLA). A donor must have a similar or identical HLA to the patient for the transplant to be successful. The better the match, the higher the rate of success. Identical twins have identical HLA while siblings have a similar one. Siblings carry a 25% chance to be perfect match. Also, umbilical cord blood from siblings could be used in this case. In case a match is not found with a relative, then you can look for an unrelated donor with a similar tissue type. Unlike, autologous transplant, there are higher chances of rejection and graft versus host diseases (donor cells attacking the patient’s body). But the upside is such a therapy is more successful in creating a graft versus cancer effect thereby minimizing the chances of a relapse.

Umbilical cord blood should be the preferred option as it is known to less likely develop graft versus host disease as well as carry blood-borne disease, says an article published in Leukaemia and Lymphoma society. It can be used both for autologous and allogeneic transplant.

4 of the Most Feared Illness Children Pick Up

Diarrhoeal diseases kill 1.5 million children every year and account for more than 10 percent of child mortality in India, says a report published by the International Reporting Project in February 2013. India faces the challenge of a range of infectious diseases. These infectious diseases are more common in young children primarily due to their weak immune systems and exposure to vulnerable environment.

Communicable Diseases Common in Children

Apart from diarrhoeal infections, here are 4 infectious illnesses that children pick up.

1. Viral Hepatitis – Viral hepatitis causes 78% of liver cancers and the hepatitis B virus alone infects an estimated one in three people worldwide. The public health concern of viral hepatitis is growing as the viruses are easily transmitted from person to person, according to an article published in GlobalHealth.gov. Hepatitis A is spread through a virus which can be present in food or water. It can also spread directly from person to person.
2. Measles – Measles is caused due to a virus. It can spread to children if they come in contact with the infected person's cough or sneeze or if they touch objects contaminated with it. It results in rashes all over the body, fever and cough.
3. Influenza – Influenza is caused by the influenza virus, it can spread both through direct and indirect contact. It causes fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, dry cough and sore throat, and loss of appetite.
4. Malaria and Dengue – Malaria and dengue are both disease caused by mosquito bites. Children under five years of age are one of most vulnerable groups affected by malaria. There were an estimated 584000 malaria deaths around the world in 2013, of which approximately 78% were children under five years of age, according an article published by the World Health Organization. While Malaria is caused by female Anopheles mosquitoes which are carriers of parasites of the Plasmodium species, that have bitten someone with the infection, dengue on the other hand is caused by one of the four closely related virus. Apart from fever, headache, sever muscle and joint pain, it also results in sudden loss of blood platelet count. Both severe malaria and severe dengue can be fatal if not treated in time.

Some other communicable diseases found in children are Tuberculosis, Typhoid, Chicken Pox, and Lower Respiratory Tract Infection. You must get your child the necessary vaccines to safeguard him for future. Also, give cord blood banking a thought as the stems cells from the cord blood can help to treat as many as 80 diseases.