[George Chen]

Why collect stem cells now?

by George Chen on Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:24 am

My wife has been treated very sucessfully after more than twenty one cycles of chemotherapys by velcade-Revlimid-dexamethasone for extramedullary plasmacytoma on pancreas(9 cm) and pelvic (15 cm) at Stanford Hospital since March 2010, and there is no tumors on her body by CT screen after couple months. We just wonder the reason why my wife has to collect stem cell collection from herself for a BMT proceedure right now. please give some reasons and suggestions.

[Multibilly]

Re: Why collect stem cells now?

by Multibilly on Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:09 pm

In a nut, you want to harvest the cells when you are producing the most stem cells, which would mean when the cancer is as close to being in remission as possible. Secondly, you want to minimize the chances of re-introducing any cancer cells back into your system when the stem cells are re-introduced into your system, so you also want to do this when you are as close to remission as possible. In case she needs an ASCT in the future, it seems like a prudent thing to be doing it now given your wife is doing well and assuming her other markers are good.

[Dr. Jason Valent]

Re: Why collect stem cells now?

by Dr. Jason Valent on Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:10 pm

Agree with previous post. In addition, there are some concerns about being able to harvest enough stem cells for transplant after prolonged Revlimid exposure. Although, with new mobilizing agents, that concern is not as great as it used to be.

If they are willing to harvest to save for later, it is not a bad idea.