GLENEAGLES Medical Centre, Penang

HOC monthly newsletter October 2006

What is stem cell transplantation?

Recently in the media, StemLife has been listed on the Malaysian
Stock Exchange. StemLife has provided us with processing and
storage of peripheral stem cells of our patients in need for the last 3
years. Indeed it is great to see our affiliates moving forward.

So what are stem cells?

There are various types of stem cells. A stem cell is a cell that can
Next support develop to become various types of cells in our body. A truly
group pluripotential (have total potential) stem cell can develop and divide
meeting: 19th to become all the types of cells in our body. The most definite
October pluripotential stem cells are the embryonic stem cells. It is thought
2006. that there are existing stem cells that maintain this full potential still
Topic: in our body even in adulthood. However, this remains to be fully
discovered.
Seeking Currently, majority of the work on stem cells are on more lineage
information specific stem cells. Basically, there are two types of stem cells that
on the are currently in use. The most used and proven useful is the
Internet haemopoietic stem cells. This is the cell which allow a bone marrow
Speaker: Dr. or peripheral stem cell transplant to be successful. The other is th e
Leong Kin mesenchymal stem cell, which is showing promise in regenerating
Wah heart muscles and nerves. It is still considered at an experimental
stage. ---continue overleaf---

We wish all our

colleagues, friends, staff and patients a very
Prepared by
the
Haematology Happy Deepavali
– Oncology
Centre, GMC
and
Penang Selamat Hari Raya

16 th Support Group Meeting

Topic: Seeking information on the Internet
Speaker: Dr Leong Kin Wah
Time: 7.30 to 9.30 pm
Date 19th October 2006, Thursday
Venue: Lecture Hall, 6 th Floor, GMC Penang
Only for patients, spouses, relatives and caregivers
For catering purposes, your confirmation with Ms Mabel, Dr Leong’s secretary at
04 2202189 is much appreciated. Thanks.
GLENEAGLES Medical Centre, Penang
HOC monthly newsletter
Haemopoietic stem cells have
been used for transplantation
since Donnall Thomas in USA
(Nobel Prize recipient)
performed a series
successful transplantations in
the 70’s. Since then, more
than a few hundred thousand
transplants have been done
worldwide.
In theory, we get rid of the
diseased bone marrow
(leukaemia) with cytotoxic
chemotherapy and/
radiation. Then, new stem
cells are transfused into the
patient. When the stem cell
grows, there is now new bone
marrow and he recovers and
able to produce new blood
cells including a new immune
system, which basically
derives from the haemopoietic
stem cells. In this way,
leukaemias and other blood
disorders has been treated
fairly successfully.
What is the source of stem
cells?
Related donor (usually brother
or sister)
Matched unrelated donor
(MUD) – a altruistic volunteer
donor
Autologous donor (using own
stem cells)
Cord blood (cells obtained
Back Page, October 2006
of
or
from the cord and placenta during delivery.)
What is the use of haemopoietic stem cells?
For treatment of blood cancers (leukaemias,
myelomas, lymphomas) and bone marrow failure
conditions
(myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anaemia,
inherited marrow failure syndromes). Sometimes
for germ cell tumors and renal cell carcinomas.
What can go wrong? (complications)
Infections and toxicity from the immediate
treatment
A condition called graft vs host disease (GVHD),
in which the donor immune system attacks various
parts of the patient’s body. (generally not in
autologous transplantation)
Graft failure – the transplanted stem cells failed to
grow.
Relapse can sometimes still occur.
THE HUMAN SIDE
Facing Cancer
Price RM 30.
Available in
GMC Penang.
50% discount
for Dr Leong’s
patients.