Insights in Stem Cells Open Access

Stem Cell Therapy: A Path to Personalized Medicine

Kelwin Rajoe^* Department of Medicine, University of California, USA
^*Correspondence: Kelwin Rajoe, Department of Medicine, University of California, USA, Email:

Received: 30-Aug-2023, Manuscript No. IPISC-23-18144; Editor assigned: 01-Sep-2023, Pre QC No. IPISC-23-18144 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-Sep-2023, QC No. IPISC-23-18144; Revised: 20-Sep-2023, Manuscript No. IPISC-23-18144 (R); Published: 27-Sep-2023, DOI: 10.21767/IPISC-9.3.25

Introduction

Lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the kidneys, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. Despite advances in the treatment of lupus nephritis, a subset of patients experiences refractory disease, relapses, and significant side effects from immunosuppressive therapies. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has emerged as a novel and potentially transformative treatment option for these challenging cases. This essay explores the role of in treating lupus nephritis, including its mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and ethical considerations.

Description

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs and systems in the body. Lupus nephritis, the involvement of the kidneys, is a severe and potentially life-threatening complication. The immune system mistakenly targets the body’s own tissues and organs, leading to chronic inflammation, immune complex deposition, and kidney damage. The classification of lupus nephritis is based on renal biopsy findings, with six categories ranging from minimal involvement to advanced sclerosis. The most common class associated with severe kidney damage. Left untreated, lupus nephritis can progress to end-stage renal disease, necessitating dialysis or kidney transplantation. Traditional therapies for lupus nephritis primarily involve corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine. While these treatments can induce remission in some patients, they are associated with significant side effects and often require long-term use. Many patients experience relapses, refractory disease, or intolerance to these medications. This underscores the need for alternative, more effective therapeutic strategies.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a treatment modality that has been used for several decades primarily in the field of oncology, particularly for hematologic malignancies. The procedure involves the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells, which have the potential to differentiate into various blood cell types, to replace the recipient’s malfunctioning or depleted immune system. In recent years, has been explored as a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases, including lupus nephritis. The use of for lupus nephritis is rooted in its potential to “reset” the immune system. The rationale is to eradicate the dysfunctional autoimmune response and replace it with a newly developed immune system that no longer targets the body’s tissues. The process of can be summarized as follows: The patient’s existing immune system is ablated, typically through high-dose chemotherapy and, in some cases, total body irradiation. This is essential to eliminate auto reactive immune cells responsible for lupus nephritis.

Conclusion

Hematopoietic stem cells are collected from the patient’s bone marrow or peripheral blood before the immune system ablation. After ablation, these stem cells are infused back into the patient. The goal is for these cells to reconstitute the immune system with a healthier, non-autoimmune phenotype. Over time, the infused stem cells differentiate into mature blood cells, including immune cells. The reconstituted immune system ideally lacks the auto reactive properties that led to lupus nephritis. For lupus nephritis is a complex and high-risk procedure, but it has shown promise in refractory cases. Clinical outcomes are reported in terms of response rates, survival, and disease activity. Studies have reported significant response rates to in refractory lupus nephritis, with some patients achieving complete remission. The magnitude of response can vary depending on patient selection, disease severity, and other factors. Survival rates following for lupus nephritis have improved over time, primarily due to advances in patient selection, conditioning regimens, and supportive care. However, remains a high-risk procedure. Many patients experience a significant reduction in lupus disease activity following. This can result in improved renal function, reduced proteinuria, and a decreased need for immunosuppressive medications.