Anniversary of the 300th allogeneic stem cell transplant - Milestones and progress at Magdeburg University Hospital
The festive event offers a look back at the development and establishment of stem cell transplantation and at the same time opens up an outlook on the future of medical care with new therapies such as CAR-T cell therapy. Science Minister Prof Dr Armin Willingmann will officially open the event in his capacity as Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
The University Clinic for Haematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy Magdeburg, headed by Prof. Dr Dimitrios Mougiakakos, together with the Tumour Centre Magdeburg/Saxony-Anhalt e.V., cordially invites you to an anniversary event on 19 March 2025.
- Title: Anniversary event and scientific symposium 300th allogeneic stem cell transplantation - milestones and progress
- When: 19 March 2025, 16:30 to 19:00
- Where: House 7 - Lecture theatre, Campus of the University Medical Centre Magdeburg
All interested citizens are welcome to attend. Participation is free of charge and prior registration is not required. Further information can be found in the flyer.
The University Medical Centre Magdeburg can look back on almost 30 years of successful stem cell transplantation. It all began in 1996 with autologous stem cell transplantation, in which patients were treated with their own blood stem cells. Since 2011, more than 300 allogeneic stem cell transplants have also been successfully carried out, in which the blood stem cells of a donor were used.
An important milestone in 2016 was the permanent certification of the transplant unit by the JACIE programme (Joint Accreditation Committee ISCT & EBMT), which guarantees compliance with the highest international quality standards. This expertise and quality in allogeneic stem cell transplantation formed the basis for the introduction of the most modern form of immunotherapy, known as CAR-T cells, in 2023.
The Cell Therapy department at Magdeburg University Medicine has developed dynamically in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of treatments increased by an impressive 75 %. This positive development in clinical care, which is closely linked to advances in research and teaching, is now being honoured with an anniversary symposium. University Medicine cordially invites high-ranking experts, political representatives, patients and their relatives and all interested members of the public to this event.
The symposium will highlight the development of stem cell transplantation in Magdeburg and the excellent regional cooperation in oncological care. A special highlight will be the lecture by Prof. Dr Ernst Holler from Regensburg, a pioneer of transplantation medicine and recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit. He will talk about the most important complications following allogeneic stem cell transplantation and explain how these can be treated effectively thanks to his translational research.
The event not only offers exciting lectures and new impulses, but also the opportunity to talk to leading experts. The event will conclude with an opportunity for personal dialogue in a pleasant atmosphere.
Background information
Allogeneic means that something comes from a genetically different donor. In an allogeneic stem cell transplant, stem cells from a donor are transferred to a patient to treat diseases such as leukaemia and to replace the diseased immune system.
Autologous means that something comes from the patient's own body. In an autologous stem cell transplant, a patient's own stem cells are removed, processed and returned after treatment in order to regenerate the immune system.
CAR T-cells (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells) are an innovative form of immunotherapy. A patient's own T cells are genetically modified to carry a special receptor (CAR) on their surface that specifically recognises and combats cancer cells. These modified cells are returned to the patient to specifically attack the tumour. CAR-T cells have shown particular promise in the treatment of blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma.
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