By: Philippine News Agency November 11, 2012 8:29 AM

Stem cell tray. FILE PHOTO FROM AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE/GETTY IMAGES

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA - The Department of Health (DOH) is expected to come up with the guidelines on the practice of stem cell treatment in the Philippines by the end of the month.

According to DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, the consultative working task force has already been convened to formulate recommendations on how to handle the growing popularity of stem cell technology among Filipinos.

Ona said that at present, stem cell therapy is still considered as an investigational intervention and there is still no scientific evidence about its efficacy, safety and quality.

Stem cell research employs both autologous (from same person) or allogenic (from another organism like animal or another human cell or tissue sample) method. Because there are many steps in the preparation of this lab and invasive procedure, there is therefore need to have a regulatory framework to protect Filipino citizens, he said.

Ona ordered the creation of the task force after observing the growing number of healthcare facilities that offer stem cell services. He was also concerned about the possible use of aborted fetuses or human embryos for the procedures.

The task force is composed of Food and Drug Administration acting director Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development director Dr. Jaime Montoya, and scientists from the University of the Philippines National Institute of Health and Marine Science.

It will come up with regulatory framework covering five fundamental areas, namely: sources of raw stem cell materials; observance of good laboratory practices in the preparation of the tissue and the cells; credentialing of scientists involved in the technology; monitoring of marketing claims; and regulation or accreditation of facilities.

Original post:

DOH to issue guidelines on stem cell treatment in Philippines

Washington, November 6 (ANI): Administering to patients stem cells derived from their own bone marrow either three or seven days after a heart attack is safe but does not improve heart function six months later, according to a clinical trial.

The results of the trial, called Transplantation In Myocardial Infarction Evaluation (TIME), mirror a previous, related study, LateTIME, which found that such cells (called autologous stem cells) given two to three weeks after a heart attack did not improve heart function.

Both TIME and LateTIME were conducted by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), sponsored by the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

"This study was extremely valuable even though it did not provide a demonstrated health benefit after six months," said Sonia Skarlatos, Ph.D., deputy director of NHLBI's Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and member of the CCTRN.

"Heart stem cell therapy research is still in its infancy, and results from early trials have varied greatly due to differences in the numbers of stem cells injected, the delivery methods used, and the compositions of the study populations. With TIME and LateTIME, we have established both safety and baseline results in two large studies that followed the same procedures for growing and then administering stem cells. This standard will inform the next steps in research on the use of stem cells to repair damaged hearts," she stated.

Fellow CCTRN member Jay Travese, M.D., of the Minneapolis Heart Institute added, "With this baseline now set, we can start to adjust some of the components of the protocol to grow and administer stem cell to find cases where the procedure may improve function."

"For example, this therapy may work better in different population groups, or we might need to use new cell types or new methods of delivery," he noted.

Skarlatos said that another advantage of the TIME study is that CCTRN is storing samples of the stem cells taken from the participants. Investigators can examine the relationship between people who showed significant improvement during the study and the characteristics of their stem cells. Such a comparison may offer insights on the cell traits that are associated with clinical improvement.

The findings will be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2012 Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles and will appear concurrently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (ANI)

Original post:

Stem cell therapy may not improve recovery after heart attack

Florida Hospital Tampa is leading the way in clinical research by using stem cells to repair damaged hearts. The results of the clinical trial TIME, show therapy with bone marrow-derived stem cells does not improve short-term recovery after a heart attack.

Tampa, Fla. (PRWEB) November 11, 2012

The results mirror a previous, related study called LateTIME. The LateTime study found that cells which come from the patients (called autologous stem cells) given two to three weeks after a heart attack did not improve heart function. Both TIME and LateTime were conducted by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN). Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute and the Dr. Kiran C. Patel Research Institute are members of the CCTRN.

Dr. Charles Lambert, Medical Director of Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute, is the sites principal investigator for the trial and co-author of the JAMA article. The findings from the TIME clinical trial will be presented this month at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

The TIME study was extremely important because it answered the question, will the bone marrow-derived stem cells improve short-term recoveryand the answer is no. Now, with both TIME and LateTime, we have baseline results. The clinical trial conclusions play a critical role in helping us take the next step in stem cell therapy research, said Dr. Lambert.

The TIME study researchers enrolled about 120 volunteers between July 2008 and February 2011. The participants suffered from moderate to severe impairment in their left ventricles and had undergone stenting procedures following heart attacks. Heart improvements were assessed six months after stem cell therapy by measuring the percentage of blood that was pumped out of the left ventricle during each contraction.

Now with the baseline set, researchers can adjust some of the components to grow and administer stem cell to find cases where the procedure may improve function. For example, researchers believe this therapy may work better in different population groups, or during new methods of delivery. Another advantage of the TIME study is that CCTRN will store samples of the stem cells taken from the participants. Investigators can examine the relationship between people who showed significant improvement during the study.

Heart attack patients from the TIME study will continue to be followed here at Florida Hospital Pepin Heart Institute for at least a year to monitor any late changes in cardiac function. Although no significant improvement was recorded with heart attack patients in the Late-TIME trial, Dr. Lambert says the work that went into collecting patient data over the past years is very useful for the National Institutes of Health stem cell researchers.

Well-controlled trials such as this are very important in determining whether therapies are actually effective and we will continue to design and test new cell treatment strategies with scientists in the CCTRN, says Dr. Lambert. Other members of the studys Cardiac Cell Therapy Research Network include the University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, the Texas Heart Institute, the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic.

About Florida Hospital Tampa

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Florida Hospital Tampa Presents Results for Landmark Clinical Trial Using Stem Cell Therapy on Heart Attack Patients

JERUSALEM--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Gamida Cell Ltd., a world leader in stem cell population expansion technologies and stem cell therapy products for transplantation and regenerative medicine, announced today that the first patient, enrolled in its pilot study of NiCord as an investigational treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), has been transplanted at Duke University in North Carolina.

Gamida Cell CEO Dr. Yael Margolin said, The NiCord study is a first step in broadening Gamida Cells pipeline of cell therapies to treat patients who suffer from severe non-malignant diseases with a very large unmet clinical need.

SCD is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders where red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a sickle. According to statistics, SCD affects 90,000 to 100,000 in the US alone, mainly African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans. Symptoms range in type and severity. SCD can be fatal and to date, the only cure for SCD is stem cell transplantation from a family related matched donor.

Dr. Margolin continued, Sickle cell disease can be cured with a successful bone marrow transplantation, especially from a family related fully matched donor. Most patients do not pursue this option, since they do not have the suitable donor. NiCord is intended to reverse this situation and provide a readily available cure.

NiCord is an expanded cell graft derived from an entire unit of umbilical cord blood and enriched with stem cells. NiCord was developed based on Gamida Cells proprietary NAM technology.

The official name of the study is Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation of NiCord, Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Ex Vivo Expanded Stem and Progenitor Cells, in Combination With a Second, Unmanipulated Cord Blood Unit in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01590628?term=nicord&rank=1. A total of 10 patients, ages 2 21, will be enrolled in the NiCord study, a single center, single arm trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of transplanting NiCord together with a second un-manipulated cord blood unit in patients with SCD following myeloablative therapy. The study will also assess transplant-related mortality, event-free survival and overall survival at 100, 180 and 365 days, respectively.

About Gamida Cell

Gamida Cell is a world leader in stem cell population expansion technologies and stem cell therapy products for transplantation and regenerative medicine. The companys pipeline of stem cell therapy products are in development to treat a wide range of conditions including blood cancers, solid tumors, non-malignant hematological diseases such as hemoglobinopathies, neutropenia and acute radiation syndrome, autoimmune diseases and metabolic diseases as well as conditions that can be helped by regenerative medicine. Gamida Cells therapeutic candidates contain populations of adult stem cells, selected from non-controversial sources such as umbilical cord blood, bone marrow and peripheral blood, which are expanded in culture. Gamida Cells current shareholders include: Elbit Imaging (EMITF), Clal Biotechnology Industries (CBI.TA), Israel Healthcare Venture, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA), Amgen, Denali Ventures and Auriga Ventures. For more information, please visit: http://www.gamida-cell.com.

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First Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patient Receives NiCord® Stem Cell Transplantation in Gamida Cell Pilot Study at ...

PURTIER Live Stem Cell Therapy - 4th Edition (English Version).mp4
PURTIER Live Stem Cell Therapy - 4th Edition (English Version) Please contact Pearly @ +65 9338 9541 for more detailsFrom:PurtierPearlyViews:13 0ratingsTime:09:00More inPeople Blogs

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123Triad : wwmsbiologicscom
123Triad is proud to design website for http://www.wwmsbiologics.com WorldWide Medical Services Inc. is a company that for more than 10 years is dedicated to utilizing the most innovative technologies to provide its clients with the highest quality services. Worldwide Medical Services specializes in the Intra-operative treatment of surgical patients. One of their most exciting new products is platelet gel and adult stem cell therapy services which can be provided in a hospital or office setting. their Autotransfusion service is available 24/7 on a scheduled or emergency basis.From:123triadcoViews:7 0ratingsTime:00:36More inScience Technology

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Govt. Appoints Task Force To Explore Stem Cell Research
Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Perry Gomez announced that the government has appointed a 10 member task force, charged with making recommendations to the government to explore stem cell therapy in The Bahamas.From:ZNSNetworkViews:44 0ratingsTime:03:27More inNews Politics

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blood bank | The Development of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com Umbilical cord blood is stored immediately after delivery, when the cord is cut. Diseases that are genetically based would most likely be an allogenic transplant. Human umbilical cord blood cells are very rich in stem cells and progenitor cells which make them the perfect place to take cells from and then store them in a cord blood bank or a stem cells bank. Scientists have found that umbilical blood can actually help to treat many types of medical issues. To make a long story short, the Adult Stem Cells did the trick. This would be a significant event, which would save thousands of lives of those waiting for an organ. Why would someone opt for cord blood preservation? Well, research is continually being conducted and cells extracted from this blood has already been used to treat and cure injuries and diseases. Cord Blood Banking facilities are places where you can bank your child #39;s cord blood and use it later on in life to cure life-threatening diseases. The National Cord Blood Program staff at the New York Blood Center performs cord blood collection from the expelled placenta. Because of this amazing capacity of blood cells, they have been, still are and will continue to be used more and more to save lives and cure a number of diseases. ""Umbilical cord blood contains blood-forming cells that can be used to treat life-threatening diseases and conditions. Stem cells, researchers discovered, could cure many diseases such as leukemia and ...From:hotelesenMelgarViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:18More inScience Technology

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blood bank | The Development of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Stem Cells | Stem Cell Malaysia
stemcellmalaysia.com Stem cells are cells which have the potential to develop into virtually any cells of the body. The characteristics of stem cells render them great possibility in treating illness as well as health rejuvenation. Stem cells can repair and renew damaged cells as well as replace the dead ones so that a damaged organ or tissue can be healed to its healthy state. Visit Stem Cell Malaysia at http:/stemcellmalaysia.com/ for more information on stem cells and stem cell therapy.From:stemcells2012Views:262 2ratingsTime:06:33More inHowto Style

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Stem Cells | Stem Cell Malaysia - Video

Stem Cell Research and TNG
How close is Science to providing visors for the blind? Or what about curing blindness? Have you watched the episode "The Masterpiece Society" from season 5 of TNG? Cause I have a couple of philosophical things to say about that! An article about STEM CELL therapy in regards to vision impairment: abcnews.go.com Interview with TrekMate: http://www.trekmate.org.uk ***I feel like the Star Trek community is a lot bigger then what YouTube has to offer, so I #39;ve started uploading my own videos. A lot of you will find this painfully dorky -and it is- which is why constructive criticism is welcomed. For anyone who does like my posts, thank you! It would be nice to gather a little Trekkie community :)***From:ThatTrekkieGirlViews:6 1ratingsTime:06:51More inPeople Blogs

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Stem Cell Research and TNG - Video

25 Multiple Sclerosis Plr Articles
ll4.me 25 Multiple Sclerosis Plr Articles 25 Multiple Sclerosis Articles - Private Label Rights Article Topics:- Treatment For Multiple Sclerosis With No Side Effects Types Of Multiple Sclerosis What Multiple Sclerotic People Should Avoid during Christmas How To Diagnose Multiple Sclerosis How To Know If It Is A Multiple Sclerosis Relapse How To Treat Multiple Sclerosis Is Cannabis Use Beneficial For Multiple Sclerosis Lifesaving Drug For Multiple Sclerosis More Information On Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis Association Of America All About Multiple Sclerosis Causes Of Multiple Sclerosis Childbirth May Slow Multiple Sclerosis Common Human Bacteria Triggers Multiple Sclerosis Good News On Pregnancy And Multiple Sclerosis How Is Multiple Sclerosis Classified The Clinical Part Of Multiple Sclerosis The History Of Multiple Sclerosis The Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale And Multiple Sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis Differential Diagnoses Not Everyone With Multiple Sclerosis Is On Treatment Pathophysiology Of Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Therapy Reverses Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis Teenage Obesity and Multiple Sclerosis Use the content on : Blogs/Content Pages Report Social Sites ecourses Convert to Audios ebook Bundle and Sell as Products Personal Education, Tips Training Whatever you might imagine... RIGHTS:- [YES] Can Be Sold [YES] Can Be Packaged [YES] Can Be Offered As a Bonus [YES] Can Be Added As Web Content [YES] Can Be Used For Product ...From:rebeccahenson9854Views:0 0ratingsTime:00:14More inPeople Blogs

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Charles - USA Stem Cells Testimonial
If you would like more information please call us Toll Free at 877-578-7908. Or visit our website at http://www.usastemcells.com Or click here to have a Free Phone Constultation with Dr. Matthew Burks usastemcells.com Real patient testimonials for USA Stem Cells. Adult stem cell therapy for COPD, Emphysema, and Pulmonary fibrosis.From:USAStemcellsViews:4 0ratingsTime:10:04More inScience Technology

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Charles - USA Stem Cells Testimonial - Video

SHIMMIAN MANILA - Celebs share good effects of stem cell therapy
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Thelma before Stem Cell Therapy
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Thelma before Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Washington, November 8 (ANI): Administering to patients stem cells derived from their own bone marrow either three or seven days after a heart attack is safe but does not improve heart function six months later, according to a clinical trial.

The results of the trial, called Transplantation In Myocardial Infarction Evaluation (TIME), mirror a previous, related study, LateTIME, which found that such cells (called autologous stem cells) given two to three weeks after a heart attack did not improve heart function.

Both TIME and LateTIME were conducted by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), sponsored by the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

"This study was extremely valuable even though it did not provide a demonstrated health benefit after six months," said Sonia Skarlatos, Ph.D., deputy director of NHLBI's Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and member of the CCTRN.

"Heart stem cell therapy research is still in its infancy, and results from early trials have varied greatly due to differences in the numbers of stem cells injected, the delivery methods used, and the compositions of the study populations. With TIME and LateTIME, we have established both safety and baseline results in two large studies that followed the same procedures for growing and then administering stem cells. This standard will inform the next steps in research on the use of stem cells to repair damaged hearts," she stated.

Fellow CCTRN member Jay Travese, M.D., of the Minneapolis Heart Institute added, "With this baseline now set, we can start to adjust some of the components of the protocol to grow and administer stem cell to find cases where the procedure may improve function."

"For example, this therapy may work better in different population groups, or we might need to use new cell types or new methods of delivery," he noted.

Skarlatos said that another advantage of the TIME study is that CCTRN is storing samples of the stem cells taken from the participants. Investigators can examine the relationship between people who showed significant improvement during the study and the characteristics of their stem cells. Such a comparison may offer insights on the cell traits that are associated with clinical improvement.

The findings will be presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) 2012 Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles and will appear concurrently in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (ANI)

Originally posted here:

Bone marrow stem cell therapy does not improve short-term recovery after heart attack

Washington, November 7 (ANI)

Stem cell therapy improves heart function in patients who had previous heart attacks, according to researchers from the University of Louisville and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

In a Late-Breaking Clinical Trial session at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2012 meeting, Roberto Bolli, M.D., of the University of Louisville and Piero Anversa, M.D., of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, presented data from their groundbreaking research in the use of autologous adult stem cells with patients who had previous heart attacks.

They report that after two years, all patients receiving the stem cell therapy show improvement in heart function, with an overall 12.9 absolute unit increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), a standard measure of heart function that shows the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle during a heartbeat.

No adverse effects resulting from the therapy were seen. Moreover, MRIs performed on nine patients in the trial showed evidence of myocardial regeneration - new heart tissue replacing former dead tissue killed by heart attack.

"The trial shows the feasibility of isolating and expanding autologous stem cells from virtually every patient," said Bolli, who is the Jewish Hospital Heart and Lung Institute Distinguished Chair in Cardiology and director of the Institute for Molecular Cardiology in the Department of Medicine at UofL.

"The results suggest that this therapy has a potent, beneficial effect on cardiac function that warrants further study," he stated.

The trial - called SCIPIO for Stem Cell Infusion in Patients with Ischemic CardiOmyopathy - was a randomized open-label trial of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in patients who were diagnosed with heart failure following a myocardial infarction and had a LVEF of 40 percent or lower; the normal LVEF is 50 percent or higher.

The investigators harvested the CSCs, referred to as "c-kit positive" cells because they express the c-kit protein on their surface, from 33 patients during coronary artery bypass surgery. The stem cells were purified and processed in Anversa's lab in Boston so that they could multiply. Once an adequate number of stem cells was produced - about one million for each patient - Bolli's team in Louisville reintroduced them into the region of the patient's heart that had been scarred by the heart attack.

The researchers reported that in the 20 patients receiving CSCs, LVEF increased from 29 percent to 36 percent at four months following infusion. None of the 13 control patients in the trial received CSCs and this group showed, on average, no improvement.

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Stem cell therapy improves heart function 2 years after heart attack

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Health (DOH) has announced its plan to regulate stem cell therapy in the country.

Stem cell treatment involves the use of adult stem cells to treat a range of diseases.

The Health Department believes that because of the complex preparation and invasive procedure involved, there needs to be a regulatory framework to protect Filipino citizens.

The regulation of laboratories and practitioners involves five key points.

First is a check on the credentials of people involved in the service, as stem cell treatment is a specialized field. The supply of raw materials will also have to be monitored, making sure especially that they do not come from aborted fetuses.

Laboratories will be scrutinized for their procedures, sanitation and safety. Therapeutic claims, on the other hand, are also up for strict assessment, to make sure that these are based on solid scientific evidence.

Finally, the DOH also wants a report on the possible failure of treatments, to find out if there are negative outcomes to stem cell therapy.

"Those who are going to other countries for stem cell treatment should also check if their destination allows stem cell tourism," clarified FDA Acting Director Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go.

The DOH said consultations with stakeholders are still ongoing, but it expects a set of guidelines to be released by next month.

Original post:

Stem cell therapy to be regulated in PH

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Nov 8, 2012) - Stem cell stocks have been gaining popularity among investors in 2012 as new and promising research continues to propel the industry forward. A study performed earlier this year at Johns Hopkins University has shown that stem cells from patients' own cardiac tissue can be used to heal scarred tissue after a heart attack. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Biotechnology Industry and provides equity research on Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ : ASTM ) and Neostem Inc. ( NYSE : NBS ).

Access to the full company reports can be found at:

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/ASTM

http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/NBS

A more recent study, also conducted at Johns Hopkins University, has showed that stem cells donated by strangers were as safe and as effective as the patient's own cells in repairing heart tissue. This is a key advancement for the treatment of heart attack with stem cells, as this possibly means stem cells could be stored for use just as blood is now.

"You could have the cells ready to go in the blood bank so when the patient comes in for a therapy -- there's no delay," said Dr. Joshua Hare of the University of Miami. "It's also cheaper to make the donor cells," as marrow from a single donor could provide enough cells for the treatment of up to 10 people.

Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on the Biotechnology Industry so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at http://www.FiveStarEquities.com and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.

Aastrom Biosciences is a leader in the development of patient-specific multicellular therapies for the treatment of severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases. Stem cell therapy is the infusion, injection or transplantation of whole cells into a patient for the treatment of a disease or condition.

NeoStem is a provider of adult stem cell collection, processing and storage services in the United States, enabling healthy individuals to donate and store their stem cells for personal therapeutic use. In addition, the company collects and stores cord blood cells of newborns which help to ensure a supply of autologous stem cells for the child should they be needed for future medical treatment.

Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at: http://www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer

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Promising Stem Cell Research Driving Industry's Growth in 2012

Public release date: 6-Nov-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Steve Goodyear sgoodyear@mhif.org 952-807-8365 Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation

MINNEAPOLIS, MN November 6, 2012 Administering autologous stem cells obtained from bone marrow either 3 or 7 days following a heart attack did not improve heart function six months later, reports a new clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health. The results of this trial, called TIME (Transplantation In Myocardial Infarction Evaluation), were presented by Jay Traverse, MD of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the 2012 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association in Los Angeles.

The results of this trial mirror a previous, related study (LateTIME) which found that autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy given 2-3 weeks after a heart attack did not improve cardiac recovery. Both TIME and LateTIME were carried out by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), sponsored by the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

"The data presented by TIME do much to advance stem cell therapy research," said Jay Traverse, MD of the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and Principal Investigator of this study. "While this study did not provide a demonstrated cardiac benefit after six months, we still learned a great deal. Together, TIME and Late TIME have shown that stem cell therapy is safe, and they have set a baseline in terms of quantity of stem cells, type of stem cells, and severity of heart attack."

TIME enrolled 120 volunteers (avg. age 57) between July 2008 and February 2011; the participants all had moderate to severe impairment in their left ventricle and had undergone coronary stent placement as treatment for the heart attack. The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: day 3 stem cell, day 3 placebo (inactive cells), day 7 stem cell, or day 7 placebo. The CCTRN researchers developed a method of processing and purifying the stem cells from the bone marrow of each volunteer to ensure everyone received a uniform dose (150 million stem cells).

Heart improvement was assessed six months after stem cell therapy by measuring the percentage of blood that gets pumped out of the left ventricle during each contraction (left-ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF). The study found no significant differences between the change in LVEF readings at the six month follow-up in either the Day 3 or Day 7 stem cell groups compared with placebo or with each other; every group showed about a 3 percent improvement in LVEF. However, the researchers found that younger patients randomized to Day 7 had greater improvement in their LVEF compared to their placebo counterparts

"The lack of six-month improvement seen for TIME and, prior to that, LateTIME, does not mean stem cell therapy is not a viable post-heart attack strategy," said Traverse. "Because we have this data we can start to address some parameters; for example this therapy may work better in younger people, or maybe we need to use cells from healthy volunteers (allogeneic) since their cells may provide greater therapeutic benefit. There will also be upcoming studies using novel cell types which we look forward to using in future clinical trials."

###

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Stem cell therapy using patient's own cells after heart attack does not enhance cardiac recovery

NEW YORK (AP) Shares of biotechnology company Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. bounced back Friday after the company responded to a report that a patient treated with its PLX stem cell therapy had died.

THE SPARK: Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported Thursday that Pluristem did not disclose the death of a young patient who had been treated with its placental cell therapy before a $32 million public stock sale in September. Shares of Pluristem fell 23 percent Thursday.

The Israeli company said Thursday evening that parts of the article were inaccurate or misleading. It said the patient, a Romanian girl whose name has not been disclosed, was "in imminent danger of death" at the time she was treated with the stem cells. She was not part of an organized clinical trial and was treated on a compassionate basis because no therapy options remained.

Pluristem said the patient lived for six months after her treatment. She returned to Romania four months before she died and the company was not monitoring her health. Pluristem said it was not aware of her death at the time it sold the additional stock. Bloomberg said the patient died Sept. 12, the day the stock sale was announced. The sale closed a week later.

"The formal report relating to the death clearly stated that there was no connection between the PLX cell treatment and the death of the patient," Pluristem said in a press release.

THE BIG PICTURE: Pluristem said that three patients have been treated with PLX on a compassionate basis including the Romanian girl and two have died. The company said it believes the patients lived longer than expected following treatment, which demonstrates that PLX therapy can be effective. The company is studying the stem cells as a treatment for peripheral artery disease, nerve pain, and other conditions.

THE STOCK: Shares of Pluristem rose 39 cents, or 13.7 percent, to $3.24 on Friday. The stock reached an annual high of $5 per share in August, and including Friday's gains, the shares are down 29 percent since the company announced the stock offering.

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Pluristem shares bounce back after Thursday plunge