Hematopoietic stem cell gene editing and expansion: State-of-the-art technologies and recent applications

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative therapy for a range of hematological diseases, from leukemias to immunodeficiencies and anemias. The aim in using HSCT is to replace a patient's dysfunctional blood system with a functional one by transplanting healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs may be collected from a healthy donor (for allogeneic HSCT) or from the patient for genetic correction (for autologous HSCT gene therapies). Despite the curative potential of HSCT, several hurdles to its wider and safer use remain, including how to efficiently genetically correct HSCs and how to increase donor HSC numbers to improve the donor pool. In recent years, the development of state-of-the-art technologies, such as Cas9-AAV6 technologies and identification of the small molecule HSC agonist UM171, have accelerated progress in HSC gene editing and expansion. These translational research efforts were the focus of the Spring 2021 International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH) webinar. Here we present a summary and discussion of the implications of these new approaches to improve HSC-based therapy. Crown Copyright (c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of ISEH - Society for Hematology and Stem Cells. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative therapy for hematological diseases by replacing a patient's dysfunctional blood system with healthy stem cells. Challenges remain in efficiently genetically correcting HSCs and increasing donor HSC numbers for wider and safer use. Recent advancements in technologies like Cas9-AAV6 and UM171 have accelerated progress in HSC gene editing and expansion.