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Discovery may expand availability of bone marrow transplants by stopping fatal complications

Date:
February 8, 2010
Source:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Summary:
Scientists explain how an anti-inflammatory agent called "ATL146e" may significantly improve the likelihood of success for bone marrow transplants by preventing or halting the progression of graft-versus-host disease, a complication of bone marrow transplants in which the donor marrow attacks the host.
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If a team of American scientists are right, bone marrow transplants may become safer and more available to people in need of donations. In a new research paper appearing in the February 2010 print edition of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, they explain how an anti-inflammatory agent called "ATL146e" may significantly improve the likelihood of success for bone marrow transplants by preventing or halting the progression of graft-versus-host disease, a complication of bone marrow transplants in which the donor marrow attacks the host.

Although very rare, graft-versus-host disease can also occur after blood transfusions.

"We hope that this study is the first step in the development and implementation of a new treatment for graft-versus-host disease," said Courtney M. Lappas, Ph.D., one of the scientists involved in the study. "This is important clinically because it could potentially minimize the risks associated with bone marrow transplantation, making these potentially curative transplants safer and more widely used in individuals with inherited immunodeficiency diseases."

Scientists performed bone marrow transplants using two genetically different strains of mice, causing graft-versus-host disease in the recipients. Some of recipient mice were then treated with ATL146e and others were given a placebo. In mice treated before the disease took hold, the severity of graft-versus-host disease was reduced, leading to a significant decrease in tissue damage and an increase in survival. In mice that already had graft-versus-host disease, treatment with ATL146e reversed the disease.

"Bone marrow transplants have saved thousands of lives, but for some this lifesaving therapy can become fatal," said John Wherry, Ph.D., Deputy Editor of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. "This research is very exciting because ultimately, it might improve the safety of bone marrow transplants and perhaps even open up new opportunities for this therapy in other diseases."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Lappas et al. Adenosine A2A receptor activation limits graft-versus-host disease after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 2010; 87 (2): 345 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0609388

Cite This Page:

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Discovery may expand availability of bone marrow transplants by stopping fatal complications." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 February 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201101909.htm>.
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. (2010, February 8). Discovery may expand availability of bone marrow transplants by stopping fatal complications. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201101909.htm
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. "Discovery may expand availability of bone marrow transplants by stopping fatal complications." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100201101909.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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