Rapid stem cell transplantation using a cryo bank for leukemia patients

Individuals' well-being is the focus of this article. - Rapid stem cell transplantation using a cryo bank for leukemia patients

By utilising cryopreservation, DKMS at Dresden has been storing surplus donated adult stem cells since November 2023 for global use in blood cancer patients. It now takes just a few days from requesting the material to its arrival at the clinic, making transplantations much quicker than before.

Elke Neujahr, Global CEO of the DKMS Group gGmbH, described this as "another vital milestone in our life-saving mission." It significantly improves the chances of survival for blood cancer patients in 60 nations who urgently need a transplant. The stem cell bank currently holds approximately 70 samples in the cryotanks in Dresden.

Cryopreserved stem cells allow a three-day gap between the initial request and transportation to the clinic; this process previously took weeks. Notably, they can be stored even without the donor's presence and are immediately available. This innovation is exceptional worldwide, simple, and ethically uncontroversial, affirmed the medical director of the DKMS Stem Cell Bank. Established initially as an umbilical cord blood bank, it has deep knowledge and proficiency in cryopreservation.

News sources report that numerous donors donate surplus stem cells beyond what a sick individual requires. With their approval, these remaining cells are frozen at -180 degrees Celsius in the gaseous state under liquid nitrogen. Thus, two lives can be saved from a single donation.

DKMS informs that every 27 seconds, someone worldwide receives a blood cancer diagnosis, and every 12 minutes in Germany. For many leukemia patients requiring a stem cell transplant, locating a genetic twin is "a race against time." Approximately one-third of patients find a match within their families; the rest rely on others, where the most compatible tissue markers must match. The earlier a match is discovered and the donation occurs, "the better their chances of survival and long-term recovery."

Read also:

1. This rapid stem cell transplantation method, being implemented in Germany, has the potential to revolutionize healthcare for leukemia patients worldwide.
2. The DKMS Stem Cell Bank in Dresden, which started as an umbilical cord blood bank, now contributes to Germany's leading role in stem cell transplantation research.
3. The reduced transportation time from DKMS's cryotanks in Dresden to clinics globally, thanks to cryopreservation, could significantly improve the success rates of leukemia transplantations during the New Year holiday season in Saxony.
4. The advancements in stem cell transplantation, including the use of cryobanks, are a testament to the interplay between science, medicine, and transportation, enhancing health outcomes for many.
5. This year's New Year celebration in Saxony may bring greater hope for blood cancer patients, as they may experience quicker access to donated stem cells, thanks to the DKMS's innovative storage solutions.
6. The DKMS's efforts in germ cell transplantation, pioneered in Dresden, Germany, are crucial in meeting the growing demand for matched stem cells, even during festive seasons like the New Year in various countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

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