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Q. |
What are white blood
cells? |
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A. |
White blood cells
are an intricate
system of defense
mechanisms designed
to block and destroy
any foreign
substance entering
the body. White
blood cells help
fight infection,
provide protection
from foreign
particles that enter
the blood stream,
such as allergens,
and fight against
mutated cells such
as cancer. |
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Q. |
How are white blood
cells used in
medicine? |
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A. |
Today, white blood
cells are used in
donor infusions,
known as donor
lymphocyte infusion.
Donor lymphocyte
infusion has mainly
been used as a
supplement for
treatment to
relapsed chronic myelogenous leukemia
(CML), acute
leukemia, chronic
lymphocytic leukemia
(CLL),
myelodysplasia
(MDS), Hodgkin's
disease, non-Hodgkin
lymphoma (NHL), and
multiple myeloma.
Donor lymphocyte
infusions are also
used to treat
certain viral
infections in
transplant patients.
Dendritic cells, a
sub-population of
white blood cells,
have also been used
in experimental
treatments. The
dendritic cells are
“trained” to help
the immune system
recognize and
destroy cancer cells
that have those
antigens on them.
They are being
studied for use in
people with
prostate, kidney,
colorectal, lung,
and breast cancers,
leukemia, and
non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma.
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Q. |
Why would I want to
save my white blood
cells? |
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A. |
The single most
important reason to
bank your white
blood cells is to
preserve your future
options. Because
research is ongoing
and new discoveries
come about
regularly, no one
knows what the
life-saving
potential of white
blood cells could be
in the future.
Currently, worldwide
research directed at
using white blood
cells for treating
cancer, genetic
diseases and
autoimmune diseases
is being conducted.
If any of this
research produces a
new treatment or
cure, banked white
blood cells may be
the best and safest
source for you.
Cells from unrelated
donors have many
potential
complications, and
your own cells
collected after you
have become ill may
not be capable of
producing as much,
or any, benefit.
Many individuals
enjoy the peace of
mind that comes from
knowing that they
have ‘biological
insurance.’ For
certain individuals
with a family
history of cancer or
other illnesses,
preserving white
blood cells could be
the most important
decision they will
ever make. |
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Q. |
How are white blood
cells different from
stem cells? |
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A. |
Stem cells are
master cells and
have the capability
to form into other
types of specialized
cells. Embryonic
stem cells have been
controversial but
adult stem cell
research has had
much success. White
blood cells
originate from stem
cells. Presently,
peripheral blood
white cells are not
considered a
significant source
of stem cells.
However, active
research indicates
it may be possible
to isolate
clinically
significant numbers
of them in the
future. |
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Q. |
Who can use the
white blood cells? |
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A. |
The white blood
cells stored are
exclusively intended
for use in the
person from whom
they were taken (or
only for "autologous
use"). They are a
match for you.
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