Low-intensity blood stem cell transplants help protect the lungs of sickle cell patients from damage, according to a new study. Researchers found they may help to improve the lung function in some patients.
Researchers at the US National Institutes of Health set out to study the relationship between transplant intensity and lung health.
Currently about a third of patients have low intensity, non-myeloablative transplants. These may be less effective than high-intensity transplants involving, but are tolerable for adults with pre-existing organ damage and reduce risk of complications, the researchers report.
The study involved 97 of these patients treated at an NIH centre in Bethesda, Maryland. They were followed for three years.
The research showed that several measures of lung function was stable after three years – while two measures improved significantly (six-minute walk distance test, and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide or DLCO). The study results were reported in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
Study leader Dr Parker Ruhl said: “By using a low intensity blood stem cell transplant for sickle cell disease, we may be able to stop the cycle of lung injury and prevent continued damage.
“Without the ongoing injury, it's possible that healing of lung tissue might occur - and this finding should help reassure adults living with sickle cell disease who are considering whether to have a low-intensity stem cell transplant procedure that their lung health will not be compromised by the transplant.”
Source:
Ruhl AP, Shalhoub R, Jeffries N, Limerick EM, Leonard A, Barochia AV, Tisdale JF, Fitzhugh CD, Hsieh MM. (2024) “Pulmonary Function After Non-Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for Sickle Cell Disease.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 27 August 2024, doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202309-771OC.
Link: https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1513/AnnalsATS.202309-771OC
Disclaimer: The news stories shared on this site are used as a way to inform our members and followers of updates and relevant information happening in Haematology. The BSH does not endorse the content of news items from external sources, and is not in a position to verify the findings, accuracy or the source of any studies mentioned. Any medical or drugs information is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.
News service provided by Englemed News.