World first: Stem cell treatment for lethal STAT1 gene mutation -- shows 'disappointing' but promising results

(Hiroshima University) First study assessing how patients with 'gain of function' mutation of STAT1 gene respond to stem cell transplantation has taken place.It involved 15 young, international, patients. Only six survived transplantation -- with five completely cured.Dr. Okada, who first discovered the mutation, says that, 'Overall, this result is disappointing -- but the fact five patients were cured proves that treatment with stem cells can work, and we now need to learn from these individual