An exciting development is expanding the possibilities for umbilical cord stem cells, according to an article published in the November 2009 issue of Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. The article discusses the development of carlecortemcel-l (brand name StemEx), an umbilical cord blood stem cell graft created by encouraging proliferation of the stem cells – without allowing them to differentiate.
What does this mean, and why is it important?
While there is a great amount of evidence on the healing potential for stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood, it has been argued that the limited number of stem cells available from a single banked unit is not enough to treat patients other than children or very small adults. By creating a method for multiplying these stem cells in their vital pre-differentiated state, researchers can potentially overcome this challenge and widen the applicability of many stem cell treatments.
Results of a Phase I study of carlecortemcel-l conducted at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, as reported in the article, suggest that the infusion of these expanded umbilical cord stem cells is safe – and may be beneficial for adults and adolescents with leukemia and lymphoma. A follow-up Phase II/III safety and efficacy study called ExCell is currently underway, enrolling adolescents and adults with high-risk hematologic malignancies at clinical sites in the U.S., Italy, Spain, Hungary and Israel. Gamida Cell and Teva Pharmaceuticals, co-developers of StemEx, anticipate the product officially reaching the bedside by 2011.
Tags: stem cells
