What is a potential use of stem cells for cancer patients?

Stem cells have remarkable potential in the treatment of cancer, particularly in aiding patients to achieve remission or maintain disease freedom. This application stems from their ability to regenerate healthy cells and restore function to tissues damaged by both the cancer and its treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation.

When cancer patients undergo aggressive therapies, their bone marrow can be particularly affected, leading to reduced blood cell production. Stem cells, especially hematopoietic stem cells (found in bone marrow), can be harvested and transplanted to replenish the patient's blood and immune system. By boosting the patient's overall health and immune response, these stem cells can help to fight residual cancer cells, thereby facilitating a path toward remission.

While stem cells may play roles in improving gene therapy effectiveness, enhancing physical therapy, or potentially making cancerous cells benign, these uses are not as directly linked to the primary goal of achieving remission. Instead, the critical function of stem cells in supporting recovery and enhancing the effectiveness of existing cancer treatments makes their role in enabling remission central to understanding their potential benefit for cancer patients.