The Essential Functions of Bone Marrow

10. Transplants

Bone marrow transplants can treat some immune deficiencies and blood disorders, especially leukemia, because marrow produces the white blood cells vital to the immune system. The treatment removes stem cells from marrow or blood then filters them and gives them back to the donor or a new recipient. This process is also referred to as a stem cell transplant because stem cells usually come from blood instead of marrow. The most dangerous part of a bone marrow transplant is the period before the intravenous return of filtered cells: the recipient's bone marrow must be destroyed before the transfusion so healthy stem cells can replace the progenitor cells responsible for the abnormal white blood cells.

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