New grant for post-transplant research

[squirrellypoo]

The UK's bone marrow donor registry posted this news today:

source: http://www.anthonynolan.org/News/RES...=2013&month=07

24 July 2013
RESEARCH FUNDING GRANT PROVIDES NEW HOPE FOR BLOOD CANCER PATIENTS

We are excited to announce that we have secured pan-European funding for a research project which could improve the quality of life and long-term survival for bone marrow transplant recipients.

We are one of five organisations to receive funding for their T-Control project from the European Union. They will receive €1,200,000 of the €5,682,536 allocated to the project over three years.

The project will explore how white blood cells can help treat transplanted patients with a cellular product specifically designed to fight infection, relapse or GvHD (Graft versus Host Disease). GvHD is a common side effect from blood stem cell transplants which can, in some circumstances, leave patients with life-long complications. It will also allow Anthony Nolan to perform a clinical trial to regulate GvHD using T cells (white blood cells) found in umbilical cord blood.

Professor Alejandro Madrigal, Scientific Director at Anthony Nolan, says, “GvHD is a serious post-transplant condition which can have a severe impact on a transplant patient’s quality of life; in some cases, it can ultimately lead to death.

“Currently only around half of transplant recipients are still alive five years post-transplant. The funding grant for the T-Control project will allow us to look at ways of fighting GvHD, infection and relapse, which will not only provide patients with a better quality of life immediately post-transplant but in the long-term it will help us to save more lives.”

Up to 40% of patients who survive a bone marrow transplant will suffer from chronic GvHD for the rest of their lives. Symptoms include: rashes on the body, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, jaundice, and dryness in the mouth, throat and eyes.

Some awful statistics in there... "Currently only around half of transplant recipients are still alive five years post-transplant"... "Up to 40% of patients who survive a bone marrow transplant will suffer from chronic GvHD for the rest of their lives."...

Let's hope they can make good progress on this aspect of transplants.