In 1957, Thomas published a scientific report that presented a new method for the treatment of leukemia, including three courses: radiotherapy, chemotherapy and bone marrow transfusion. His work encountered objections and doubts from many scientists and doctors at the same time, even according to them this work was meaningless.
A bone marrow transplant is a difficult procedure because if you inject foreign tissues and cells into your body, your immune system will kill them or the implant will turn over to destroy the patient's body. This problem is only solved if we find the same donor from a twin brother.
Thomas sought to solve the problem, this key by using immunosuppressive drugs to prevent the elimination process from occurring. This means that patients who can be transplanted from non-family donors help save many patients with blood cancer.
According to statistics, there are about 50,000 patients receiving marrow transplants every year, 53% from their own stem cells, 47% receive cells from other people or cord blood equivalent to about 24,000 patients received donated cells.