This research unit is interested in clinical and basic research in cell therapy with the goal of improving care, overall survival rates, and quality of life post-transplant.
Ongoing studies include umbilical cord blood stem cells expanded with UM171 to treat leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloma. This experimental treatment is sometimes the last resort for patients and offers them an additional chance of survival.
The unit is also involved in studies to reduce the current complications from transplantation, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), thrombotic microangiopathy, and viral respiratory diseases, which can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. The goal of reducing the occurrence or severity of these side effects of bone marrow transplantation is to improve overall quality of life.
Our work on paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a rare disease for which treatments are currently limited, provides patients with treatment options they would not otherwise have.
Our approach is to give patients treatment options that can increase their chance of survival, quality of life, and quality of care.