Adult Stem Cell Harvesting: Methods & Applications

Stem cells are created naturally within the body before becoming specialized cells, which can be defective and lead to disease and birth defects.

Considerations

• Donated organs are predominantly used in transplants to replace damaged organs, meaning cells and tissues cannot be taken from these organs for medical procedures.

History

• Adult stem cells have been harvested since the 1960s for the treatment of diseases such as leukemia, for which a bone marrow transplant is a successful treatment.

Match Identification

• The process of harvesting adult stem cells begins with a donor providing a blood sample that is matched to a suitable patient with the same blood type.

Preceding Procedure

• Prior to a peripheral stem cell transplant, the donor is provided with a drug such as Neupogen, which when taken a few days prior to donation, forces stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.

Harvesting

• A process called aphaeresis is used to remove the blood and stem cells of the donor before replacing the blood in the donor's other arm.

Time Frame

• The actual process of harvesting stem cells requires approximately one day in hospital for aphaeresis to be completed.