Para los interesados una breve explicación....
For those interested a brieff explanation....
Blog de la Familia Treviño-Fernandez. Una reseña en edición continua...
Para los interesados una breve explicación....
For those interested a brieff explanation....
El especialista en Hematología Alejandro Madrigal fue nombrado miembro correspondiente de la AMC REFORMA/Redacción Ciudad de México (8 agosto 2009).- En una ceremonia encabezada por la presidenta de la Academia, Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, Madrigal ofreció la conferencia Retos presentes y futuros en el trasplante de células madre, en la que dio a conocer los avances de sus investigaciones. Existe confianza en el trasplante de células madre en muchos aspectos clínicos, pues cuando pacientes con enfermedades como leucemia mieloide crónica reciben un trasplante adecuado, pueden tener una esperanza de vida del 90 por ciento, afirmó el director científico del Instituto de Investigación Anthony Nolan y profesor titular de la Cátedra de Hematología en la Universidad de Londres. Lo ideal es que un día podamos ofrecerla como medida terapéutica para enfermedades más frecuentes, como la diabetes o la artritis, pero todavía tenemos mucho que aprender, agregó durante la conferencia dictada en el Instituto de Fisiología Celular de la UNAM. Si bien las células madre son útiles para tratar pacientes con anomalías genéticas, deficiencias de respuesta inmune y que generan susceptibilidad infecciosa, lamentablemente aún no existe la clave para utilizarlas en todos los campos que se requiere. Madrigal, quien ha realizado aportaciones fundamentales en su campo a lo largo de los últimos 15 años, explicó que actualmente el número de pacientes que sobreviven a un trasplante de células madre es casi del 50 por ciento con una vida totalmente restaurada, sin necesidad de tratamientos posteriores. "El reto es extender este procedimiento, hacerlo más eficiente y eficaz en cada uno de los casos, y que sea más accesible económicamente, aún cuando nada es costoso si se salva una vida". El científico explicó que el instituto de investigación que dirige en Londres, The Anthony Nolan Research Institute, es líder a nivel mundial en trasplantes de células madre e inmunología. Sobre el tema de la investigación con células madre embrionarias, aseguró que para tratar a los pacientes es necesario usar células, no generar embriones. "Es fundamental respetar la vida y hacerlo bajo el mayor rigor ético", dijo. | |||||

Robert J. Soiffer, MD View Physician Profile Robert J. Soiffer, MD Associate
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Department Medical
Oncology/Hematologic Malignancies Center/Program Hematologic Oncology
Area of Research Immunomodulation and Hematopoietic Stem Cell
Transplantation Contact Information Robert J. Soiffer, MD Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute 44 Binney Street Dana 1B11 Boston, MA 02115 Office phone: (617)
632-4731 Appointment phone: (617) 632-6139 Fax: (617) 632-5168 E-mail:
robert_soiffer@dfci.harvard.edu Preferred contact method: e-mail Research The
focus of our research for the past decade has been the development of
treatment strategies to modulate the immune system of patients with cancer.
These efforts are based on studies of patients undergoing allogeneic
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematologic malignancies.
Although allogeneic transplantation can cure a proportion of these individuals,
success is limited by transplant-related complications such as graft-versus-host
disease (GVHD). It has long been recognized that T lymphocytes from the donor
marrow play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of GVHD. In patients undergoing
HSCT, depleting donor marrow T cells with an antibody to a T cell surface
structure results in a dramatic decrease in the incidence of GVHD. This
approach also eliminates the need for immune-suppressive medications. These
agents can be toxic, causing organ damage and increasing susceptibility to
infection. Recently we have explored strategies to selectively infuse CD8+
depleted lymphocytes in hopes of prompting graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) activity
without producing GVHD. We validated this strategy in a randomized trial of CD8-
depleted donor lymphocyte infusions after T cell-depleted allotransplantation,
and are now conducting further trials on CD8 depletion. While T cell depletion
reduces GVHD, its effect on immune reactivity may lead to an increased risk of
relapse of certain leukemias after transplantation. Preserving and restoring this
GVL activity without compromising safety is a major thrust of our clinical and
laboratory research. Working within the Cell Manipulation Core Facility, we have
begun to identify specific T cell populations that may play a critical role in
mediating antileukemia activity. We are exploring the role of regulatory T cells
(Tregs) in the development of GVHD and GVL reactions, and have initiated a
clinical trial to augment GVL reactivity using an antibody to CTLA4Ig, a molecule
that controls immune reactions. We are also investigating vaccination strategies
for preventing relapse in allogeneic transplant patients. Previously, in
collaboration with Dr. Glenn Dranoff, we found that vaccination with irradiated
autologous tumor cells - genetically engineered to secrete granulocyte-
macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) - induced histologic, cellular,
and humoral evidence of autologous antitumor immunity in nontransplant
patients. We are combining vaccine approaches with the administration of
allogeneic donor stem cells in hopes of inducing a synergistic antileukemia effect.
Recent Awards Lee M. Nadler "Extra Mile" Award, DFCI, 2004 Brian O'Dell
Memorial Research Award, 2001 Scholar for Clinical Research, Leukemia
Society of America, 1999 Baruj Benacerraf Fellow, DFCI, 1997 Biography Dr.
Soiffer graduated from New York University School of Medicine in 1983, and
trained in internal medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, where he also
was chief medical resident. He joined DFCI in 1988, after completing a medical
oncology fellowship. He is currently chief of the Division of Hematologic
Malignancies and codirector of the Adult Stem Cell Transplantation Program. He
has served as vice president (2006), president (2007), and immediate past
president (2008) of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation.