Well, I am no Nostradamus but I do think that common sense does dictate that my prophecy may come true. So I thought I'd start off with an easy one and work up from there. It is also close to my heart as where the technology has come from so far has changed my life. I want to write about the evolution of HSCT for autoimmune diseases.
Now I have to say that I am mildly disappointed at how far the technology has come at present but that is another post for another day. However, it is here now and that is a great thing. Especially for me. So how is this a prophecy?
Well the first thing that is really important to know is that even with what we do know about the human body and medicine there is a whole lot more we don't know. With HSCT for AIDs we basically destroy the immune system in what is quite an aggressive process in order to be able to regrow an immune system that does not have a defect.
I believe in the future we will be able to look deeper into the immune system and instead of destroying the whole immune system, just destroy the defective part. There is two parts to this. First, being able to identifying exactly where the defect is, and then having the right drugs and or tools to simply attack that
specific point. The technology will eventually be good enough that there will be no need for stem cells or hospitalisations.
I believe that it is just a matter of time. I would love to know what you think. Until next time, stay well:)
Well, I think that sounds fabulous! However, considering how long it takes to get something going; and then start and finish the "trials", if someone isn't working on that very thing at this current time, I'm not sure we'll see it in our lifetime Andy. It's not anything I've heard about any research team working on yet, but I really don't know. I've learned so much since I first heard about SCTs and more places that do them than just Dr Burt, that I'm sure there could be others out there doing this very thing! That would be exciting! I hope so anyway!
ReplyDeleteI agree Wendy, which is why I didn't put a timeline on any of this but things might be more advanced than you think. Mabtherapy is already available and targets specific monoclonal antibodies (Anyone of which may harbour an AID). An example would be Rituxin or rituximab which is used to target the monoclonal antibody CD20 and also part of the drug regiment we both received as part of our HSCT conditioning.
ReplyDeleteThe trick comes in identifying where within the immune system the disorder lies and then finding the right treatment to target that specific part.