Exploring the Lived Experience of Early-Phase Stem Cell Therapy Among Leukemia Patients

Abstract

Stem cell therapy has emerged as a leading innovation in regenerative medicine, offering potential treatment options for patients with hematologic malignancies such as leukemia. While clinical outcomes have been extensively studied, little is known about how patients subjectively experience and interpret their participation in experimental stem cell therapy. Existing research lacks depth in exploring the lived, personally and emotionally complex aspects of this experience, raising the question: how do leukemia patients undergoing experimental stem cell therapy construct meaning from their treatment journey? This study employs a descriptive phenomenological approach to uncover the essence of patients’ lived experiences during experimental regenerative treatment. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with seven adult leukemia patients (4 male, 3 female; aged 32–61 years) who had received at least one round of experimental stem cell therapy. Transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify core patterns of meaning. The results revealed four central themes: the oscillation between hope and uncertainty, embodied vulnerability, spiritual negotiation, and the critical role of empathic clinical relationships. These findings highlight the emotional and deeply personal nature of participating in an unproven therapy and provide insight into how patients navigate this uncertainty. By illuminating these lived experiences, the study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of patient-centered care in the context of biomedical innovation. The findings underscore the importance of integrating narrative and relational approaches into clinical practice and suggest future research should explore similar phenomena across diverse cultural and clinical settings.