Contents

#### **Preface IX**

Kyrcz-Krzemien



Chapter 8 **Controversies in Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma 195** Bhavana Bhatnagar and Ashraf Z. Badros

Preface

world-wide readers.

blood cell or a brain cell.

This book documents the increased number of stem cell related research, basic and clinical applications as well as views for the future. The book covers a wide range of issues related to new developments and innovations in cell-based therapies containing basic and clinical chapters from the respected authors involved in stem cell studies and research around the world. It thereby complements and extends the basic coverage of stem cells such as immu‐ nogenetics, neuron replacement therapy, cover hematopoietic stem cells, issues related to clinical problems, advanced HLA typing, alternative donor sources as well as gene therapy that employs novel methods in this field. Clearly, the treatment of various malignancies and biomedical engineering will depend heavily on stem cells, and this book is well positioned

This book will be the the main source for clinical and preclinical publications for scientists working toward cell transplantation therapies with the primary goal of replacing diseased cells with donor cells of various organs and transplanting those cells close to the injured or diseased target. With the increased number of publications related to stem cells and *Cell Transplantation*, we felt it was important to take this opportunity to share these new develop‐ ments and innovations describing stem cell research in the cell transplantation field with our

Stem cells have a unique ability; they are able to self renew limitlessly allowing them to re‐ plenish themselves as well as other cells. Another ability of stem cells is that they are able to differentiate to any cell type. A stem cell does not differentiate directly to a specialized cell, however. There are often multiple intermediate stages. A stem cell will first differentiate to a progenitor cell – a progenitor cell is similar to a stem cell, although they are limited in the number of times they can replicate and they are also restricted in which cells they can fur‐ ther differentiate to. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or be‐ come another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red

During this last decade, the number of published articles or books investigating the role of stem cells in cell transplantation or regenerative medicine increased remarkably across all sections of the stem cell related journals. The largest number of stem cell articles was pub‐ lished mainly in the field of clinical transplantation, neuroscience, followed by the bone, muscle, and cartilage and hepatocytes. Interestingly, in recent years, the number of stem cell articles describing the potential use of stem cell therapy and islet transplantation in the dia‐

to provide comprehensive coverage of these developments.

