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Research on Potato Starch as a Possible Remedy for Bone Marrow Transplant Side Effects
Researchers from the University of Michigan are exploring the use of potato starch as a potential means to avert Graft versus Host Disease in patients undergoing stem cell transplants, with a phase II clinical trial currently underway.
The study suggests a possibility of averting the onset of Graft versus Host Disease.
The team at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center is investigating a novel method to diminish the common and severe risks associated with stem cell transplants from donor blood or bone marrow.
Annually, around 18,000 individuals in the U.S. are diagnosed with critical conditions, including blood cancers, where a transplant of blood or bone marrow stem cells from a donor is the optimal treatment. Roughly 9,000 of these transplants are performed each year in the U.S.
Insights into Graft versus Host Disease
Post stem cell transplant, patients receive a new immune system from the donor, tasked with targeting cells that are foreign, including cancer cells.
However, at times, the donor’s immune cells (the graft) may perceive the patient’s body (the host) as alien. This can lead to the donor cells attacking the patient’s organs and tissues, resulting in Graft versus Host Disease.
GVHD can manifest in up to 50% of patients receiving stem cell transplants from a donor’s blood or bone marrow, affecting various body parts and varying in severity from mild to life-threatening.
Challenges in Treating GVHD
Preventing and treating GVHD usually involves potent drugs that suppress the immune system, which in turn can make patients prone to infections, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions. Thus, while stem cell transplants from donors are lifesaving for many with severe illnesses, GVHD can cause harm or even death, and the treatments for GVHD carry their own risks.
Previous studies have shown that gut bacteria and their byproducts can influence the likelihood of GVHD following a transplant.
Innovations with Potato Starch
A study involving ten patients who underwent stem cell transplants from donors and were given a supplement made from potato starch showed changes in intestinal bacterial byproducts that could potentially prevent GVHD.
“GVHD severely limits the life-saving potential of blood or marrow stem cell transplants. The possibility of discovering a simple, affordable, and safe way to mitigate this serious complication is exciting, but further research with more patients is necessary for confirmation,” said Mary Riwes, D.O., an assistant professor of internal medicine and the medical director of the inpatient adult stem cell transplant unit at the Medical Directors Partnering to Lead Along with Nurse Managers program.
The researchers are currently enrolling more participants for a second phase of the study to ascertain if potato starch can effectively reduce GVHD in stem cell transplant recipients. This phase II trial, involving 60 patients aged ten years or older undergoing a blood or bone marrow stem cell transplant from a donor, will compare the effects of potato starch against placebo starch. The trial aims to determine the efficacy of potato starch in preventing GVHD.
For further details on this phase II trial, visit Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT02763033).
The study has received support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (grant no. P01 HL149633, P.R., M.T., M.M.R.), which facilitated all bio sample analyses. The funding entity played no role in the study’s design and analysis. Resistant starch for the study was procured using institutional startup funds (M.M.R).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Potato Starch GVHD Research
What is the University of Michigan researching regarding bone marrow transplants?
The University of Michigan researchers are studying potato starch as a potential solution to prevent Graft versus Host Disease in patients undergoing stem cell transplants.
How might potato starch help stem cell transplant patients?
Potato starch is being investigated for its potential to change intestinal bacterial byproducts, which could prevent the occurrence of Graft versus Host Disease in stem cell transplant patients.
What is Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD)?
GVHD is a condition where donor immune cells from a stem cell transplant attack the patient’s organs and tissues, seeing them as foreign. It can range from mild to life-threatening and occurs in up to half of the patients receiving transplants.
How many people in the U.S. undergo stem cell transplants annually?
Approximately 9,000 stem cell transplants from donors are carried out each year in the U.S., primarily for patients with life-threatening illnesses like blood cancers.
What is the current stage of the research on potato starch for preventing GVHD?
The research is in phase II of the clinical trial, aiming to determine the effectiveness of potato starch in reducing the incidence of GVHD post stem cell transplant.
More about Potato Starch GVHD Research
- University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center
- ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02763033
- Nature Medicine Study on GVHD and Potato Starch
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants
4 comments
gotta say, it’s pretty cool to see everyday items being used for something as serious as preventing GVHD. Props to the U of M team!
read about this in Nature Medicine, very promising but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Still a long way to go before it’s a mainstream treatment.
Wow, never thought potato starch could be used in medical treatments! Really interesting stuff, but will it really work?
This is such a breakthrough, but I’m curious about the side effects, if any? Haven’t seen much info on that…