Therapeutic effect of haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell treatment on relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer
Marrow stem cell transplant has been used in the treatment of leukemia for many years. Previously this has required a donation from a compatible donor. This has been problematic due to the few suitable donors. New technology has enabled the use of donations from family members, (parents or some siblings) who share 50% of the genetic signature of the recipient, (known as haploidentical).
These readily available stem cells are being put to other purposes, notably in the treatment of renal cancer. This small study looks at the benefit or otherwise of stem cell treatment of recurrent or resistant ovarian cancer.
13 patients received this treatment, it is known that recurrence and resistance is associated with immune incompetence. No suitable treatment currently is available. Initial results from the stem cell therapy are encouraging with improved quality of life and some increase in survival. The short duration of this study and small numbers means further evaluation is required before any conclusion can be reached.
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