Final answer:
Stem cells can be differentiated into healthy blood cells for treating leukemia through a bone marrow transplant. The effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating leukemia depends on the success of the transplantation and overcoming immune rejection challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stem Cells in the Treatment of Leukemia
Stem cells can be utilized in the treatment of leukemia, which is a type of cancer that primarily affects the blood cells and usually starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the production of abnormal blood cells which can replace normal blood cells, leading to various symptoms. The most relevant application of stem cells in treating leukemia is through cell-based therapy, where stem cells are induced to differentiate into healthy blood cells that can repopulate the bone marrow and restore its normal function. This therapy often involves a bone marrow transplant from a donor, where the introduced stem cells differentiate into healthy blood cells, improving the patient's condition by replacing the diseased cells.
In terms of effectiveness, if a bone marrow transplant is successful, the new bone marrow starts making healthy blood cells and can significantly improve or even cure the patient's leukemia. However, there are several challenges to this treatment, such as the potential for the patient's immune system to reject the new stem cells, especially in the case of embryonic stem cells. Current research is also looking into the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to avoid issues of compatibility and rejection. While stem cell therapy is not universally effective and comes with risks, it remains one of the most promising treatments for leukemia and other blood disorders.