Realize the proliferation of cord blood stem cells

  Researchers from the Institute of Immunology and Cancer Research (IRIC) of the University of Montreal declared in the famous "Science" magazine that they had discovered a new molecule that allowed them to proliferate cord blood stem cells for the first time. Cord blood stem cells can be used for transplantation to treat many blood-related diseases, including leukemia, myeloma, and lymphoma. For many patients, this therapy is the last resort.

   Dr. Guy Sauvageau, a hematologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, the research leader of the Institute of Immunology and Cancer at the University of Montreal, said that this world-class breakthrough has the potential to increase the amount of cord blood used for human transplantation by 10 times. In addition, it will greatly reduce complications related to stem cell transplantation. This is especially useful for non-white patients who have difficulty finding a matching donor.

   Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital will initiate a clinical study. The research will use this molecule called UM171 and a new type of bioreactor developed in cooperation with the University of Toronto for stem cell cultivation. According to Guy Sauvageau: “Combining this new molecule and new bioreactor technology will enable thousands of patients around the world to obtain safer stem cell transplants. Considering the lack of matching donors, many Of patients are not yet able to benefit from stem cell transplantation. This research finding seems to bring great prospects for the treatment of various types of cancer."

  In this first clinical study in Canada, the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Cell Therapy Center of Excellence is responsible for producing these cells and then delivering the transplants to patients in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver. One year later, in December 2015, clear results should be obtained. The significance of this new study is that, over time, clear clinical results may completely change the treatment of leukemia and other blood diseases.

  Background

   Newborn’s umbilical cord blood is an excellent source of hematopoietic stem cells for stem cell transplantation, because their immune system is still immature and stem cells are less likely to induce adverse immune responses in the recipient.

   In addition, unlike bone marrow transplantation, the immunocompatibility between the donor and recipient does not have to be perfect. However, in most cases, the number of stem cells obtained from umbilical cord blood is very small and cannot be used to treat adults. Its application is mainly limited to treating children.

  With the new molecule UM171, it is possible to expand stem cells in culture to generate sufficient numbers of cells to treat adults, especially non-white people, those who lack donors and are restricted in transplantation.