20 years of progress: Würzburg center revolutionizes stem cell therapies!

20 years of progress: Würzburg center revolutionizes stem cell therapies!

Würzburg, Deutschland - In Würzburg, pioneering work has been done in the blood stem cell transplantation for 20 years. The medical clinic II and the children's clinic of the University Hospital Würzburg (VHF) have expanded its expertise in this area. Especially malignant diseases of the blood and lymphatic system, such as acute leukemia and lymphomas, are the focus of the allogeneic stem cell transplantation. At this point, over 10 million potential stem cell donors in Germany come into play, and the chances of a suitable donor are good - nationwide over 90 percent. In 2025, the FM does around 120 allogens annually and up to 200 autologous stem cell transplants, whereby the multiple myeloma is particularly focused here.

But not only in the transplant, also with innovative cell therapies, the FM is at the forefront. The Center for Cellular Immunotherapy (Zenith), which was founded in 2019, has set itself the goal of developing new treatment approaches. One focus is on the Car-T cell therapy, which is used in adults over 100 times a year and in children in about five cases. This therapy has the potential to activate the body's own T-lymphocytes in such a way that they specifically attack tumor cells-an approach that is of great interest in hematology and oncology, as well as [university medicine Leipzig] (https://www.uniklinikum-leipzig.de/stäatten/ Medizinische-klinik-1/H%C3%A4matology-und-zell therapy/stamzellbansplantaPlanta-zell therapy (car-t-cells)) reports

innovations very close

What is the specific behind the Car-T-Zell therapy? It is a modern cell-therapeutic approach in which the own T cells of a patient are genetically modified so that they can recognize and destroy cancer cells. This process includes several steps, starting with the accumulation of lymphocytes to processing in a special laboratory up to chemotherapy and returning the changed cells. However, such therapies may only be carried out in qualified clinics that have all the necessary permits and personnel resources.

A targeted goal is the further development of these therapies in order to increase the chances of survival in the tumor milieu. The medical specialists in the FM are well equipped for this. In addition, another clean room laboratory for the production of car-t cells for clinical studies will open in autumn 2025, which will further strengthen the research fields in the region. These projects are financed partly through donation collections, for example under the direction of Gabriele Nelkenstock, which already ensured the new construction of the stem cell transplant center.

everyday life in the center

The focus on innovative therapies does not mean the end of regular transplants. Numerous transplants are carried out every year, which not only treats acute leukemia, but also the therapy options are also expanded to non-bös-like blood diseases. This succeeds through the close cooperation between the medical clinic II and children's clinic, which had to divide their activities into different buildings.

The positive development of the center shows once again how strong research in the area of ​​stem cell transplantation and cell therapy is rooted in the region. The FM not only establishes itself as a leading center on site, but also supports other university clinics with its expertise in the GMP cell therapy laboratory, which serves as a logistics hub for car-T cells. The medical community is excited to see what progress has been made in the coming years and what positive effects they have on the patients. The [Unkrlinikum Würzburg] (https://www.ukw.de/aktuelle-meldungen/detail/20-jahne-wuerzburger-stammzell transplante-unstentzentrum-inovative therapies-in-der-region-verankert/) remains a place where future medicine is actively designed.