Brianda Macedo

The second affective resort in curing Leukemia

Introduction
Leukemia is a disease that is cause when blood cells DNA becomes mutated. When celled
are mutated that means that they are no longer being regulated and are growing in an
uncontrollable pace. This type of cancer is one of the most common in children and young adults
or teens. Leukemia is a very deadly disease, there is an estimate 345,422 of people in the U.S
that are living with the disease or being treated for it. There is also an estimated 60,140 of people
that are expected to die from the disease (Citation). That Leukemia in many cases be not show
symptoms until late stages. The way way this disease shows symptoms until late stages is very
dangerous because that means the disease needs to be treated right away or as soon as possible.
It has been thought by many that the treatment for Leukemia was through chemotherapy
and not stem cells. The protein that when mutated causes cause growth in cells is the P53 protein.
There is a lot of research still being done on this protein, but is has been proven that this protein
regulated cells, which is why when mutated is unable to regulate cells. The P53 protein regulates
cells by either triggering suicide to the cell if the DNA is damaged to the point where it can no
longer be repaired or by activating the cell and force it to stop growing. Some ways that
leukemia is formed or grown is either by the exposure of external elements such as radiation or
genetics.
Methods
Chemotherapy since the method has been made to currently is one of the most commonly used
methods used to cure Leukemia and a number other cancers types. The problem with

chemotherapy has been that is not only kills the bad cancerous cells, but also the good cells that
our bodies need to survive. Since the stem cell therapy has been researched, and provided
positive results has been becoming a back up, method for curing Leukemia. One of the most
common ways that step cell has been using to this day is blood cell transplant through bone
morrow. The procedure has shown to be affect but procedure needs to be done with great
delicacy because any mistake or improper care throughout and after the procedure can cause the
patients life or cause damage that will last their entire lifetime. Though compared to
Chemotherapy, Stem Cell growth is more affective against some of the most suborn types of
cancer and Leukemia, and is still being researched to improve and provide a cure for other types
of cancer also. Chemotherapy and Stem Cell transplant unfortunately do have very similar side
effects such as: Fatigue, Pain. Chemotherapy sometimes causes pain. Headaches, Muscle pain,
Stomach pain, Pain from nerve damage, such as burning, numbness, or shooting pains, and nerve
damage. Pain usually gets less with time. (LLS. "Facts and Statistics.") Even though nerve
damage can be treated there is always that risk of having that damage for the rest of your life.

A big reason this subject was chosen by researchers was because chemotherapy; one of
the main treatments for Leukemia not only killed off the bad mutated Leukemia cells but it also
good the good cells needed to survive. In addition, doctors needed some kind of treatment in case
chemotherapy did not work since chemotherapy is not the cure for every patient. Researchers
chose stem cell transplant because of its effectiveness and its possibilities to cure a variety of
cancer types. This topic is important to the world because many people in this world are prone or
have the possibility of having Leukemia. This can be a treatment for anyone and everyone that

qualifies and is willing to undergo the treatment that is still being researched and in process of
being classified as 100% effective or close to it.
Many scientists are researching and studying this treatment in hopes of finding a second or better
cure for Leukemia and a series of other cancer types.
Discussion
This is researched because there has to be a plan B in treatment options in case treatment A
which is chemotherapy does not work. Scientist are trying to find a way to cure Leukemia. In
doing so can save thousands lives from all over the world. This topic is of value because it can
save people around the worlds lives not only for those who have been diagnosed with Leukemia
but with more research potentially cure a series of other cancerous diseases. This helps the world
because the stem cells treatment can save peoples lives and increase life expectancy. Society
should know that this treatment is available and in the works, because in case they end up getting
diagnosed with Leukemia know that they do not only have to rely on chemotherapy as a
treatment but also Stem cells to potentially save their life and its side effects.
The scientist were trying to find out whether or not the stem cells treatment could be used as a
method of treatment for Leukemia without the harsh side effects of chemotherapy, such task is
still being investigated and the Stem cell growth is still being research. Time will let us know
whether the stem cell therapy can be more effective and maybe even replace chemotherapy.
Healthy compatible blood or hematopoietic stem cell transplant that can be found in bone
morrow is one of the methods done in Stem cell treatments. Scientist performed observations and
experiments to see if the treatment works or not with many other variables. Implanted stem cells
into people to help combat the Leukemia. Tests have been ran throughout years with people and

lab rats. Experiments and specialized equipment have been and are still being used throughout
this study. It seems that tissue and blood transfers/transplants are used for this experiment.
Results
Results came in positive, hypothesis have worked. Results showed that the stem cell can be used
as a treatment for Leukemia. This treatment is still a last resort but in many cases affective. The
results showed a pattern that the treatment was being affective. It probably was surprising and
gratifying that the treatment worked. It was discovered throughout the experiment that it did
work and could potentially save peoples lives. The results meant that there was now a second
option in finding a treatment to Leukemia. Its possible that one of scientists main goals was
found but at the same time its possible it didnt since a big discovery they wanted was finding
out why or which cells mutate to cause Leukemia. More research does is needed and is in the
process especially since this option is still partially new. Many long and short term side effects
are still being recorded and analyzed.
Some ways to run more experiments with this treatment would be by running tests on a more
people. The use or help of people can help out with this treatment because everyone is different
and having all those different hypothesis and types of people can possibly work or change the
theory to work better. Some factors that should have be further investigated or experimented with
could be age, food nutrition, and mental illnesses, and genetics.

Works Cited
1. Weber, Christine. "Leukaemia: How Can Stem Cells Help?" EuroStemCell. European
Unions Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, 24 Mar. 2016. Web. 15 Oct.
2016.
2. LLS. "Facts and Statistics." Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. National Cancer Institute's
Surveillance, n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2016.
3. Rosen, Leo and Gloria. "High-dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplant for Hodgkin
Disease." American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society, 09 Feb. 2016. Web. 20
Nov. 2016.