Uncovering the Potential of Mesynchymal Stem Cells
By Paul Orchard, M.D
Children’s Cancer Research Fund supports pioneering research at the University of Minnesota Cancer Center to further medical understanding of Mesynchymal Stem Cells (MSC’s).
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Cell With Amazing Potential
Stem cells are very rare cells with the potential to renew and mature into other cells that make up body tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in marrow and hold remarkable potential for clinical use. MSCs are able to become tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat and, in some cases, neural tissue. MSCs also support the growth of blood cells and slow down immune reactions.
Uncovering Potential
MSCs have potential for use in treating cancer and other conditions. MSCs are extremely versatile and they:
- Serve as “nursing” cells to assist in the expansion of bone marrow and cord blood.
- Decrease the time for recovery during bone marrow or cord blood transplantation.
- Have a suppressive effect on the immune system.
- May play a role in treating graft-vs-host disease (GVHD), a common complication of transplantation.
- May have uses in treating bone disorders by making cartilage and bone.
Clinical therapies using MSCs are in the early stages of development. Treatments using MSCs are being honed for future clinical uses such as:
- Tissue repair.
- Treatment of autoimmune diseases.
- Complications of bone marrow transplant.
Furthering Medical Understanding of MSCs at the University of Minnesota
With funding from the Children’s Cancer Research Fund, the University of Minnesota was the first to:
- Use mismatched and unmatched MSCs.
- Transplant MSCs from an unmatched donor in an infant.
- Use MSCs with the goal of repairing neurological injury in the setting of neurodegenerative diseases.
At the University of Minnesota, we routinely culture and expand MSC clinical use at the state-of-the-art Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics (MCT) facility. Few institutions have the capacity to perform basic research into the uses of MSCs as well as develop the clinical applications of these cells.
Support from Children’s Cancer Research Fund ensures that the University of Minnesota remain a leader in this field.
