In 1968, doctors performed the first successful bone marrow transplant. Bone marrow contains somatic stem cells that can produce all of the different cell types that make up our blood. It is transplanted routinely to treat a variety of blood and bone marrow diseases, blood cancers, and immune disorders. More recently, stem cells from the blood stream (called peripheral blood stem cells) and umbilical cord stem cells have been used to treat some of the same blood-based diseases.

Somatic Stem Cell Therapy: Using a Bone Marrow Transplant to Cure Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer of white blood cells, or leukocytes. Like other blood cells, leukocytes develop from somatic stem cells. Mature leukocytes are released into the bloodstream, where they work to fight off infections in our bodies.

Leukemia results when leukocytes begin to grow and function abnormally, becoming cancerous. These abnormal cells cannot fight off infection, and they interfere with the functions of other organs.

Source: http://do-healthcare.blogspot.com/2016/02/stem-cells-in-use.html

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?

Stem cell therapy requires new healthy cells to be introduced into affected tissues in order for the disease, disorder or injury to be treated. Stem cells can renew themselves, as well as produce a generation of new cells that possess the ability to multiply further. One example is the replacement of neural cells found in the brain and the spinal cord by healthy stem cells. These cells create brain and spinal cord cells, with the new cells possessing the ability to multiply. All of these regenerative cells can then repair any damage in the injured or diseased cell area. The possibilities are nearly limitless for medical advancement in stem cell therapy, as the stem cells can grow into almost any type of cell and therefore regenerate and repair damaged areas.