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Targeted stem-cell attack could make transplants safer

Blood stem-cell transplants show promise for treating genetic and immune disorders, as well as cancers, but are currently risky.
  1. Heidi Ledford
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Scientists are experimenting with ways to selectively target the body’s blood-making cells for destruction. Early studies in animals and people suggest that the approach could make blood stem-cell transplants — powerful but dangerous procedures that are used mainly to treat blood cancers — safer, and thereby broaden their use. The studies come as evidence piles up that such transplants can also treat some autoimmune disorders and genetic diseases.

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Nature 576, 18-19 (2019)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-03601-5

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 03 December 2019: An earlier version of the story incorrectly said that Judith Shizuru’s team collaborated with Forty Seven for the clinical trial of the c-Kit antibody mentioned; Forty Seven was not part of this collaboration.

References

  1. Snarski, E. et al. Bone Marrow Transpl. 51, 398-402 (2016).

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  2. Sullivan, K. M. et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 378, 35-47 (2018).

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