Book Chapter

The History of Stem Cell Transplantation

Lazarus, Hillard M., Gerson, Stanton L.

2015

Overview

The history of successful stem cell transplantation dates back to the late 1950s when principles developed in in vitro and preclinical models were applied to human subjects. As a result of numerous painstaking investigations, the scientific knowledge base has been increased many times, and a number of the obstacles reduced or overcome. The initial clinical trials were conducted in cancer patients relying upon bone marrow as a stem cell source to provide both haematopoietic cells to overcome cytotoxic injury as well as to mount an allogeneic or anti‐cancer effect against the tumour. Lessons learned from procuring marrow and later mobilised blood cells as well as umbilical cord blood cells have been extended to use these and other cells in tissue repair and regeneration. Further, cellular biology has been significantly better understood, leading to improved methods of cell expansion and modification in the ex vivo setting. Many commercial entities have sprung up in this area and that has accelerated the understanding and implementation of clinical efforts. While regulatory efforts need to increase in order to continue to maintain patient safety, the future for better controlling or eradicating disease states remains bright.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
• Subject: GvHD therapy / haematopoietic cell transplantation / haematopoietic engraftment / mesenchymal precursor cells / mesenchymal stromal cells / multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) / stem cell transplantation
• ISBN: 111997139X, 9781119971399