Role of the bone marrow stroma cells in maintaining MDS stem cells

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is a blood cancer which originates from our bone marrow.

Bone marrow is a spongy internal part of the bones, which in healthy people acts as a factory where the haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) divide and give rise to all the blood cell types, enabling us to fight infections and distribute oxygen in the body.

Bone marrow is a complex tissue made up of various types of cells including HSCs, immune cells, blood vessel cells and other stroma cells that provide supporting environment. However, this well drilled machinery is broken down in MDS. MDS incidence increases markedly with age.

It is important to note that with an increase in the ageing population within our communities, the incidence of MDS will increase considerably going forward. Currently available treatments are having very limited success, with