Scientists have managed, for the first time, to produce human blood stem cells in the laboratory, an advance that could revolutionize the treatment of cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
These cells, derived from the patient themselves, can reduce the risk of rejection and dependence on external donations, common problems in current treatments.
The process involves reprogramming blood or skin cells into pluripotent stem cells, capable of transforming into any cell in the body. In just two weeks, these cells are converted into blood stem cells, which have been successfully tested in mice, producing functional bone marrow in half of cases.
This method, described in a study published in Nature, still faces challenges, such as variability in cell production. Research continues to improve the consistency and effectiveness of this innovative treatment, which could bring new hope in the fight against blood cancers.
(By Mozavibe/ZAP)
