Researchers at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the University of Montreal (Canada) announced the discovery of a new molecule that can multiply the stem cells in a unit of cord blood. The umbilical cord stem cells used for transplantation aimed at curing a number of blood-related diseases, including leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma.
Directed by Dr. Guy Sauvageau, lead researcher and hematologist in Iric Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital of this advance has the potential to increase tenfold the number of units of cord blood available for transplant in humans. Also significantly reduce the complications associated with transplantation of stem cells and will be particularly useful for non-Caucasian patients, for whom it is difficult to identify compatible donors.
