Treatment

Autologous Stem Cell Therapy

Overview

Autologous stem cell transplant (SCT) is a treatment that involves using your own stem cells to help your body recover from certain cancers and diseases, particularly blood-related ones like leukemia or lymphoma. This treatment helps replenish damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

Why Autologous Stem Cell Transplant is Required?

• Recommended for patients with blood cancers (like leukemia, lymphoma) or bone marrow disorders.
• Replaces damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
• Restores the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.
• Often used when chemotherapy or radiation therapy has weakened the bone marrow.

Key Advantages of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

• Uses your own stem cells: Lower risk of rejection compared to other types of stem cell transplants.
• Restores immune function: Helps your immune system recover after chemotherapy or radiation.
• Improved survival rates: Better outcomes for patients with blood cancers or other marrow-related diseases.
• Faster recovery: Compared to other types of stem cell transplants, autologous SCT often offers quicker recovery times.

How Should You Prepare Yourself Before Taking Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Treatment?

• Pre-treatment screening: Blood tests, imaging and other tests to assess your overall health.
• Stem cell collection: Your stem cells are harvested (usually through blood), frozen and stored.
• Conditioning treatment: May require chemotherapy or radiation to prepare your body by destroying unhealthy cells.
• Consultation with specialists: Discuss risks, benefits and any concerns with your doctor.

How Autologous Stem Cell Transplant is Performed?

Stem cell harvesting: Blood is drawn and stem cells are separated through a process called apheresis. The stem cells are then frozen for later use.

Conditioning: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given to destroy damaged bone marrow and make room for new stem cells.

Transplantation: The harvested stem cells are infused into your bloodstream by an IV, allowing them to travel to your bone marrow and begin producing healthy blood cells.

What You Can Expect: Before Procedure, During Procedure, and After Procedure?

1. Before the Procedure:

• Undergo testing and screening to ensure eligibility.
• Stem cell collection may take several hours and might involve multiple sessions.
• Conditioning treatment prepares your body for the transplant.

2. During the Procedure:

• The harvested stem cells are infused into your bloodstream by an IV.
• The procedure is generally painless though you may experience some discomfort from the IV.

3. After the Procedure:

• Your body begins to recover and produce healthy blood cells.
• Recovery can take several weeks to months.
• Frequent monitoring for infections and complications is required.

Risk and Potential Complications

• Infection: Increased risk due to a weakened immune system after the transplant.
• Graft failure: Rare, but it can happen if the transplanted stem cells do not work properly.
• Organ damage: The pre-transplant chemotherapy or radiation may cause damage to organs like the heart or lungs.
• Side effects: Including nausea, fatigue and other symptoms due to conditioning treatments.

Results/Outcomes

• Highly effective for treating blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia and multiple myeloma.
• Many patients experience long-term remission.
• The success of the transplant depends on factors such as the type of cancer, health and how well the body responds to the treatment.
• Improved survival rates and quality of life for many patients especially when done early in the disease process.