Bone Marrow Therapy – SunAct Cancer Institute

Therapies

What is Bone Marrow Therapy?

Stem cell or bone marrow therapy involves the transplantation of healthy stem cells into a patient’s body to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow.

How does Bone Marrow and/or Stem Cell Therapy work?

Collection: Stem cells are collected either from the patient (autologous) or a donor (allogeneic). This can be done through a bone marrow harvest or from peripheral blood after mobilization.
Conditioning: The patient undergoes conditioning therapy, which includes high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation to eliminate the diseased bone marrow.
Transplantation: The healthy stem cells are infused into the patient’s bloodstream, where they migrate to the bone marrow and begin to produce new blood cells.
Engraftment: The transplanted stem cells engraft in the bone marrow, where they start producing healthy blood cells, helping to restore the immune system.

Target Cancers

Bone marrow and/or stem cell therapy is primarily used to treat:

1. Hematologic cancers: Lukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
2. Non-cancerous blood disorders: Plastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and thalassemia.
3. Genetic disorders: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and certain metabolic disorders.

Benefits

Potential Cure : Offers the possibility of curing certain cancers and blood disorders.

Immune System Rebuilding : Helps restore the immune system by replacing damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

Broad Applicability : Can be used to treat a variety of cancers and blood-related conditions.

Types of Bone Marrow Therapy

Type	Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant	Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant
Source	Uses the patient’s own stem cells	Uses stem cells from a healthy donor
Collection	Stem cells collected from the patient via peripheral blood or bone marrow	Stem cells collected from a matched donor via peripheral blood or bone marrow
Conditioning	High-dose chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate diseased marrow	High-dose chemotherapy or radiation to prepare for donor cell engraftment
Infusion	Patient’s own stem cells are infused back	Donor stem cells are infused into the patient
Engraftment	Stem cells migrate to bone marrow and regenerate blood cells	Donor cells engraft and rebuild the patient’s immune and blood system
Risk of Rejection	Minimal, since cells are from the patient	Higher risk, including Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
Suitability	Best for patients needing high-dose chemo with stem cell rescue	Ideal for patients with bone marrow failure or genetic blood disorders
Procedure Complexity	Moderate – involves collection, storage, and reinfusion of own cells	High – requires donor matching, immune suppression, and close monitoring
Common Uses	Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma	Leukemia, Aplastic Anemia, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia
Cost	Lower cost due to use of own cells	Higher cost due to donor search, preparation, and long-term care
Success Factors	Dependent on patient health and disease sensitivity to chemo	Dependent on donor match, patient health, and immune response

Process

During Therapy

The transplant process typically involves a hospital stay, especially for allogeneic transplants, to monitor for complications.

After Therapy

Regular follow-up visits are essential to monitor for side effects and assess the success of the transplant.

Recovery

Recovery can take several months, with patients needing to be cautious of infections and other complications during this period.

How is Bone Marrow and/or Stem Cell therapy different?

Bone marrow and/or stem cell therapy is unique because:

Restores Blood Production: Directly replaces the diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy or radiation, which primarily kill cancer cells.
Potential for Complete Cure: Offers a cure for some conditions that other treatments may only manage.
Complex Procedure: Involves a complex process of stem cell collection, conditioning, and transplantation that requires specialized care.

How effective is this treatment?

Success rates vary depending on the condition being treated, the type of transplant, and individual patient factors. In some cases, it can lead to long-term remission or cure, while in others, it may be less effective. Ongoing clinical trials and research continue to improve outcomes.

Who is eligible for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell therapy?

Eligibility depends on factors such as:

Type and Stage of Disease: Certain cancers and blood disorders are more likely to be treated with this therapy.
Previous Treatments: Patients who have not responded to other treatments may be considered for stem cell therapy.

Risks and Side-Effects

Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD): A condition where the donor’s immune cells attack the patient’s tissues, commonly seen in allogeneic transplants.
Organ Damage: High-dose chemotherapy or radiation used in conditioning may cause damage to organs like the liver, lungs, and heart.
Infections Risk: Due to the weakened immune system during the recovery phase, there is a higher risk of infections.
Other Side Effects: May include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and bleeding.

Next steps if Bone Marrow and/or Stem Cell Therapy doesn’t work

Alternative options may include:

Other immunotherapies
Targeted therapies
Participation in additional clinical trials
Supportive care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life

Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage varies by provider and plan. Patients are advised to consult with their healthcare provider and insurance company to understand coverage options and potential costs.

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Therapies

What is Bone Marrow Therapy?

How does Bone Marrow and/or Stem Cell Therapy work?

Target Cancers

Benefits

Types of Bone Marrow Therapy

Process

During Therapy

After Therapy

Recovery

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