Blood Clots, Cancer, and Stem Cells OH MY!

Stem cell research is not anything new, however, using stem cells to grow platelets is. Researchers in Tokyo, Japan have determined that using adipose tissue to create a stem cell line that produces functional platelets is possible. Normally, platelets must be collected from donors and they are only viable for less than a week (“Platelets grown from stem cells may be alternative to donated platelets,” n.d.). Patients are also at risk for infection or an adverse immune response to donor platelets (“Platelets grown from stem cells may be alternative to donated platelets,” n.d.). This new research could have huge implications to help reduce the platelet deficiency.

            Many patients need platelet transfusions regularly or even daily. Leukemia and other cancer patients have a hard time producing platelets as a side affect of their chemotherapy (“Blood Transfusion Process,” n.d.). Many other diseases and genetic disorders cause low platelet count as well. Platelet transfusions are needed to maintain clotting functions otherwise any abrasion of the blood vessels becomes life threatening. Platelets main function in the blood is to aggregate at sites that have become damaged. Once enough platelets aggregate, a clot forms to block the blood from leaking out of the blood vessels. Healing occurs and the clot is broken down. Without enough platelets to form this clot, too much blood can leak out either into a body cavity or to the external environment. This causes multiple problems that can lead to death in severe cases. This new research could be life saving for patients that regularly need platelet transfusions.

            Drawbacks to this so far is that lab made platelets are more expensive than donated platelets (“Platelets grown from stem cells may be alternative to donated platelets,” n.d.). This could increase healthcare costs for patients that require transfusions, but still has potential to save lives. Another drawback is studies of efficiency have only been conducted in mice so far. Clinical trials are in the future, but the aggregation and clotting properties of these new platelets must still be tested in other animal models (“Platelets grown from stem cells may be alternative to donated platelets,” n.d.). It will take some time before we will see lab grown platelets used in humans.

Sources:

Blood Transfusion Process. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2018, from https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions/types-of-blood-transfusions.html

Platelets grown from stem cells may be alternative to donated platelets: Manufactured platelets could one day provide a reliable, safe supply for transfusions. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5, 2018, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128115042.htm