Anthony Nolan

📢 We are delighted to hear that exa-cel, a CRISPR gene therapy, has been approved by NICE to treat sickle cell disorder. Anthony Nolan has been working with the Sickle Cell Society for over two years to advocate for this outcome, which would not have happened without the determination and support of the wider sickle cell community. Thank you to every patient, parent and loved one who shared their experiences of living with sickle cell with us – it was your voice that made this happen. Exa-cel (exagamglogene autotemcel), also known by the brand name Casgevy, involves modifying a patient’s own stem cells to prompt the production of healthy red blood cells, addressing the symptoms of sickle cell. Sickle cell can be a debilitating condition as patients often suffer from acute pain episodes known as ‘crises’. Crises are a physical, emotional, and mental burden to patients. Sickle cell also has a chronic effect on almost every major organ system, impacting life expectancy and day-to-day quality of life. Until now, the only curative treatment available to people with sickle cell in England and Wales has been a stem cell transplant – however this is only an option for those with a matching stem cell donor. Exa-cel could provide a ‘functional cure’ for patients without a matched donor. The next step is to help NHS England deliver this new treatment and make sure it is accessible to all eligible patients. Anthony Nolan and the Sickle Cell Society are continuing to collaborate to help advocate for the voices of people with sickle cell, particularly to support equitable access to cell and gene therapy and to secure holistic care and support for all patients receiving these treatments. Read more: https://bit.ly/3Effz3A

❗🔬 Research alert: Cancer cells play ‘pass-the-parcel’ with cellular batteries to weaken the immune system. Until recently, scientists thought that mitochondria – tiny power-plants inside our cells that generate energy – stayed put in the cell that they were made in. New research has revealed that cells can swap their mitochondria with other cells – akin to swapping batteries between devices – and that cancer cells can take advantage of this by stealing healthy mitochondria from immune cells. Not only this, but cancer cells can also send their unhealthy mitochondria across to immune cells, effectively strengthening themselves while simultaneously weakening the immune system. This discovery could help scientists find new ways of fighting cancer, by attempting to prevent this game of mitochondrial pass-the-parcel and helping healthy mitochondria stay in the immune cells where they’re most needed. This could also potentially empower immune cells after a stem cell transplant to ensure that any remaining cancer can’t weaken the new immune system. Read more about this research here: https://lnkd.in/eU5Sp59C

“I’ve spent my life trying to give back to a charity that gave my family everything - and it feels amazing knowing that now my stem cells could give that gift to others.” “My mother received two bone marrow transplants. Her survival chances were not large, and the first time she needed a transplant she was pregnant with me. Anthony Nolan found her match - and both of us were given the gift of life. After I was born and my mum received treatment, I was gifted this bear by the charity - featuring the old 1990s logo 🌼" Bethan joined the stem cell register when she was 17, and also became one of our volunteers, signing her sixth form up to the stem cell register! As soon as she joined uni, she also became part of Marrow – and recently donated her stem cells to be used in medical research and treatments. Bethan’s cells were used in a research project that aims to produce blood cells outside of the body! If successful, this could have a huge impact on the lives of future patients, whether that is to bolster a donor’s own cells, or modify the cells slightly so that the disease can be treated. By donating your cells to medical research and treatments, you could impact many lives in the future – one donation could help unlock new discoveries and shape the future of treatments for patients just like Bethan’s mum. If you're on our register and would like to hear more about donating your cells for medical research and treatments, pop our team an email to researchdonors@anthonynolan.org

Meet Dr Tania Dexter, one of our medical officers. Tania joined us in July last year, and plays a vital role in making transplants happen. Tania works in the team that reviews potential donors – ensuring they are fit and healthy to donate to patients in need of lifesaving stem cells. She also carries out vital research into how we can make the donation process as efficient and effective as possible. “I ’ve been working as a haematology doctor for the last four years. I felt like having a background in research and clinical trials was important for me to keep learning, and making sure I can always provide the best care to my patients – and working at Anthony Nolan is the perfect way for me to do that.” “Recently, I published a new paper around the use of a new drug called plerixafor. The hope is that the drug can be used in stem cell donation to increase the number of cells collected, which would reduce the need for second-day donations and improve the experience for donors.” “Hopefully our research will help us and the wider transplant community understand the best ways to make the donation process more efficient and easier for those involved.” Whilst Tania is relatively new at Anthony Nolan, she’s already making a big impact on our work – and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Read more about her work here: https://bit.ly/42hZp3x

🚨 URGENT – PLEASE SHARE 🚨 Dolcie-Mae, who is just three months old, and from Newport, Wales, urgently needs a stem cell transplant. After being rushed to Newcastle children’s hospital from her home in Wales, Dolcie-Mae was diagnosed with HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) at just four weeks old - a rare immune disorder that can be fatal if not treated. Right now, there’s not a single match worldwide for little Dolcie-Mae, and her family have been separated whilst they wait and hope that a donor will be found. Her mum Courtney is urging people to sign up to the stem cell register, to help families just like theirs. “Help give my baby girl a second chance at life. A stem cell transplant from a stranger - someone like YOU - can be their only hope. Please join the stem cell register.” “No family should have to go through such an awful journey, watching their child fight a battle bigger than them. By signing up to the stem cell register, you could give hope to families like ours.” If you’re aged 16-30, you could be the lifesaver families like Courtney’s are waiting for. Sign up today: https://bit.ly/3EfBeZw Unable to sign up? Please share with friends and family – and if you’re able to, consider donating money – it costs us £40 to add a single person to the stem cell register. #SupportBabyDolcieMae

“I’ve spent my life trying to give back to a charity that gave my family everything - and it feels amazing knowing that now my stem cells could give that gift to others.” “My mother received two bone marrow transplants. Her survival chances were not large, and the first time she needed a transplant she was pregnant with me. Anthony Nolan found her match - and both of us were given the gift of life. After I was born and my mum received treatment, I was gifted this bear by the charity - featuring the old 1990s logo 🌼" Bethan joined the stem cell register when she was 17, and also became one of our volunteers, signing her sixth form up to the stem cell register! As soon as she joined uni, she also became part of Marrow – and recently donated her stem cells to be used in medical research and treatments. Bethan’s cells were used in a research project that aims to produce blood cells outside of the body! If successful, this could have a huge impact on the lives of future patients, whether that is to bolster a donor’s own cells, or modify the cells slightly so that the disease can be treated. By donating your cells to medical research and treatments, you could impact many lives in the future – one donation could help unlock new discoveries and shape the future of treatments for patients just like Bethan’s mum. If you're on our register and would like to hear more about donating your cells for medical research and treatments, pop our team an email to researchdonors@anthonynolan.org

“Ambulatory care allows patients to receive some of their treatment, which has traditionally been delivered as an inpatient, in an outpatient setting. This means patients undergoing stem cell transplant or CAR-T treatment don’t have to go into hospital for such a long time, which can have huge benefits – including less time isolating in hospital, the opportunity to eat a normal diet, and sleep without hospital interruptions." "This service is available in some, but not all, transplant centres around the country and it isn’t appropriate for all patients, but for those that can access it, it can have a significant impact on their recovery.” – Rachel Miller, Lead Nurse At Anthony Nolan, we’re constantly working to ensure that stem cell transplant and CAR-T patients receive the best possible treatment and outcomes from their treatment. We’re launching a five week webinar series for healthcare professionals, to educate them on the different ambulatory care services that are provided around the UK. We’ll talk through how they were developed, the challenges that had to be overcome, and the benefits they see for patients, so that they can be considered in more transplant centres around the country. Each webinar will be run by a hospital representative, discussing how ambulatory care works at their transplant centre. If you work with stem cell transplant or CAR-T patients, find out more and sign up today: https://lnkd.in/djeRX7Ye

“Meeting Peter, the man who couriered Otis’ lifesaving stem cells through the doors of Great Ormond Street Hospital, in the height of the pandemic, was an absolute honour and overwhelmingly emotional.” Just before Christmas, Otis and his parents were able to meet Peter, the courier who transported the stem cells that saved Otis' life. “To know that he made that journey for our baby, despite all the fear surrounding COVID-19 is something we are beyond grateful for...” Every week a dedicated team of volunteer couriers make lifesaving journeys around the world for us, collecting stem cells and delivering them safely to patients in need, helping to fulfil our lifesaving mission.

“I was very lucky to survive my 2 transplants and can now give something back to help the wonderful charity that saved my life.” Peter joined our patient and families network as a way of giving back to Anthony Nolan – and he now helps inform our future work by using his experience as a stem cell transplant recipient to ensure we have the right information in place to support others. “As part of the network, I provide my thoughts from the perspective of a patient on documentation available to new patients or donors. I also hope to improve the treatment of patients and the recovery of patients by giving my input from my experience – helping improve research and ensuring the patients voice is heard.” As part of our patient and families network, you can be involved in as many or as few opportunities as you’d like. It’s a great opportunity to meet others who have been through similar situations, whilst also helping future patients by improving their experience. “One of my highlights is being involved in a large study looking at the way a patient’s sociological-economic status affects the likely outcome from their stem cell transplant. This resonates with everyone in the network so much, and is such a worthwhile study.” We’re now looking for more patients and carers to join our network, and inform our lifesaving work, to ensure that patients not only survive but thrive after their transplant. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eYCtZShP

🚀Anthony Nolan Launch Day!🚀 We are delighted to announce that Chattertons have chosen to support Anthony Nolan as our Charity of the Year partner for 2025! 💚 This year’s Charity has particular importance to one of our staff members Laura Coleman-Day, Corporate Solicitor based at Chattertons Newark office. Laura’s husband, Xander was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and required a stem cell transplant, which he received in January 2023. In the June it had become apparent that Xander was very poorly, and he had developed graft vs host disease (GvHD) in his liver. There is very little treatment out there for GvHD and Xander died on 10th February 2024 from liver, kidney and lung failure. Find out more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eKCUFGEz #ChattertonsCOTY25 #Charity #LawFirm Sarah Mason