A New Method To Mobilize Cells For Transplant In Malignant And Genetic Diseases
SCIENTISTS FROM THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE IN COOPERATION WITH DOCTORS FROM THE HEMOTOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT SHEBA MEDIAL CENTER, HAVE DEVELOPED A NEW METHOD TO MOBILIZE CELLS FOR TRANSPLANT IN MALIGNANT AND GENETIC DIEASES
Dr. Avraham Avigdor of the Hematology Department at Sheba Medical Center, together with Dr. Polina Goichberg and Professor Zvi Lapidot from the Immunology Department at the Weizmann Institute have discovered a new system to mobilize hematopietic stem cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood for the purpose of transplanting them and treating cells in patients with malignanies or genetic diseases. The new findings which are being published in the exclusive journal Blood (The number one journal in the area of hematology and bone marrow transplant: published 15 April 2004) are likely to lead to the development of more efficient methods to mobilize hematopietic stem cells from bone marrow to peripheral blood and to improve results and the chances for healing after a bone marrow transplant.
Professor Zvi Lapidot's laboratory is one of the leading in the world in this area. Professor Zvi Lapidot is the pioneer in the field of mobilizing hematopietic stem cells and the importance of the SDF1 hormone in this procedure. In cooperation with the Department for Bone Marrow Transplants at Sheba, it was found that the cause of the hematopietic growth factor G-CSF has a critical role in the mobilization process of hematopietic stem cells that serve in bone marrow transplants to the peripheral blood, something which enables transplants involving mismatches of the HLA system. These findings were published in the exclusive journal Nature Immunology and they are the basis for understanding the main procedure which is the foundation for all modern transplants.
Dr. Avraham Avigdor who spent two years in Professor Lapidot's laboratory, recently found that the CD44 molecule and hyalyronic acid have a leading function in the process of mobilization.
These findings are likely to lead to the development of more efficient ways to mobilize hematopietic stem cells which are necessary for bone marrow transplants, including mismatched transplants in HLA typing and to improve results of the transplants and treatment of the cells which are the basis of treatment of patients with Leukemia and other malignancies as well as in genetic diseases. These findings are likely to also improve the ability to mobilize cells of the immune system and will form the basis for new immunotherapy treatments for cancer patients.
These new and initial results were presented by Professor Zvi Lapidot on Thursday August 8, 2004 at the opening ceremony of the Unit for Mobilizing Hematopietic Stem Cells (Pharasis) and the Hematological Day Care Institute in the New Cancer Center at the Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
This new and modern cancer center is significant, leading in innovative treatments for patients with Leukemia and other malignancies. The Center also includes the already dedicated Ella Center for treatment of patients with melanoma and a new center for immunological treatments and immunization of patients with multiple myeloma.
In the new center for mobilizing hematopietic stem cells (Pharasis) these innovations will be integrated in the fields of transplants and immunotherapy as a unique pioneer treatment for patients with Leukemia and other malignancies.
