news Stem cells stored in broken freezer given OK for use in N.L. cancer patients

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Stem cells stored in broken freezer given OK for use in N.L. cancer patients



44 minutes ago





By The Canadian Press


ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Newfoundland and Labrador's largest health board says stem cells stored in a freezer that broke down last year can still be safely used for transplants in cancer patients.

Last September, a freezer storing the stem cells of 29 cancer patients set at -150 C had begun to rise in temperature. The cells were transferred to two other freezers - one set at -150 C, the other at -85 C.

Hematologist Dr. Kirsty Tompkins of the Eastern Health authority said today that a sample of the transferred cells was sent to the University of Alberta to determine whether the cells were damaged in the transferral process.

Tompkins says the retesting has led Eastern Health to conclude that the cells are still safe to use for transplants.

She says the patients have been notified of the results of the retests.

Six of the 29 cancer patients have since died, but their deaths are not related to the malfunctioning stem cell freezer.