Applications of Stem Cell Therapy and Gene-Editing Technologies in Leukemia Treatments

Leukemia, especially acute myelogenous leukemia, affects millions across the globe and has been the focus of many new and emerging treatment opportunities, including stem cell therapy. Hematopoietic stem cells, a type of stem cell that eventually develops into blood cells or platelets, have been a crucial part of many of these emerging treatments. This article focuses on how genetic engineering of stem cells can enhance their therapeutic potential in treating various forms of leukemia. Some promising applications of genetically modified stem cells include modifying stem cells with an apoptosis gene to selectively kill the cancerous cells and create a suicide gene mechanism, using modified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to create chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR T-cells), and modifying induced pluripotent stem cell derived natural killer (iPSCs-derived NK) cells to target tumors at multiple antigen sites. In addition to this, this mechanism has shown significant promise in the treatment of leukemic stem cells, which can aid in preventing relapse. Despite major success in the field of genetically modified stem cell (GMSC)-based treatment, more research is needed to determine how this technique can translate to patient-based care and be used in clinical settings.