Self Help: Stem cells rescue lupus patients
By Nathan Seppa
By rebuilding a patient’s immune system using his or her own stem cells, doctors can reverse the course of lupus in severely ill patients for whom medication no longer works, a new study shows.
In this autoimmune disease, white blood cells go awry and create antibodies that target the person’s cells and tissues. The tissue damage results in rashes, swollen joints, fever, and fatigue. Lupus can also turn deadly and attack vital organs, especially the kidneys, lungs, and nervous system.