We offer a chance at a cure of the kidney disease and immune problems with our novel duo-transplant technique. We are also experts at what we do. Stanford Children’s Health has performed over 1000 stem cell transplants since the program’s inception. Our program on alpha/beta T-cell depletion is the biggest in the country.
We also participate in groundbreaking research in SIOD. Immunologist David B. Lewis, MD heads up our SIOD research lab (in partnership with the Kruzn for a Kure Foundation), which is working to understand the cause of SIOD and its effects on the body, including its immune response (T cells). He is part of a team of researchers across the world studying SIOD. Defects in the DNA code for the SMARCAL1 gene result in SIOD. The SMARCAL1 gene encodes a protein that helps DNA copy itself efficiently. This ability is very important, since our bodies constantly replace and renew cells throughout the body. Dr. Lewis and others are studying how the genetic deficiency of SMARCAL1 relates to the symptoms of SIOD and investigating related treatments to help heal children with SIOD.
Finally, when children with SIOD come to us, they receive care from a multidisciplinary team of internationally and nationally respected stem cell and kidney transplant specialists, nephrologists, neuroimmunologists, oncologists, and other specialists. We give hope to parents who experienced little before.