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Category Archives: Stem Cell Therapy

World Stem Cell Summit kicks off in SA with Public Education Day

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NEWS

1200+ scientists, patient advocates from 40 countries in town for summit

Posted YESTERDAY, 6:04 PM Updated YESTERDAY, 6:33 PM

SAN ANTONIO - More than a thousand scientists, industry leaders and patient advocates from 40 countries are headed to San Antonio for the World Stem Cell Summit.

Organizers are calling it the center of the universe when it comes to stem cells and regenerative medicine.

On Tuesday the summit kicked off with Public Education Day, where some of the smartest scientists in the field broke the topic down into bite-sized pieces.

"To be able to replenish our cells that die within a tissue on a daily basis, in order for us to be able to heal wounds, we have to have stem cells," said Elaine Fuchs, an investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

She started her research in the field in the 1970s with work on skin stem cells, and said she was fascinated with creating skin in a petri dish that could then be used for burn therapy.

Fuchs spoke at Public Education Day about the most basic biology of stem cells and said that knowledge is leading to a new world in medicine.

"The biology of stem cells is gong to be and is being extremely valuable in terms of developing new therapies and coming up with new drugs to treat various different devastating diseases," Fuchs said.

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World Stem Cell Summit kicks off in SA with Public Education Day

Thalidomide and prednisolone versus prednisolone alone as consolidation therapy after autologous stem-cell …

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Background

We previously showed that consolidation therapy with thalidomide and prednisolone improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with multiple myeloma who had undergone autologous stem-cell transplantation. We aimed to assess whether these survival advantages were durable at 5 years.

The ALLG MM6 trial was a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial done between Jan 13, 2002, and March 15, 2005, at 29 sites in Australia and New Zealand. Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were randomly assigned (1:1), via computer-generated randomisation charts, to receive indefinite prednisolone maintenance alone (control group) or in combination with 12 months of thalidomide consolidation (thalidomide group) after autologous stem-cell transplantation. Randomisation was stratified by treating centre and pre-transplantation concentrations of 2 microglobulin. Patients and treating physicians were not masked to treatment allocation. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival. Analysis was by intention to treat. Secondary endpoints were overall response to salvage therapy, incidence of second primary malignancy incidence, and cost-effectiveness. This trial is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12607000382471.

We randomly assigned 269 patients to the thalidomide (n=114) or control group (n=129). After a median follow-up of 54 years (IQR 3172), estimated 5-year progression-free survival was 27% (95% CI 2332) in the thalidomide group and 15% (1118) in the control group (hazard ratio [HR] 016, 95% CI 0044058; p=00054) and 5-year overall survival was 66% (95% CI 6170) and 47% (4251), respectively (HR 012, 95% CI 0028056; p=00072). There was no difference in overall response to salvage therapy, survival post-progression, or incidence of secondary malignancies between the two groups. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was AUS$26996 per mean life-year gained.

Consolidation therapy with thalidomide and prednisolone after autologous stem-cell transplantaion is an acceptable therapeutic approach when alternative drugs are not available.

Pharmion Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Australia, The Merrin Foundation, and Alfred Health.

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Thalidomide and prednisolone versus prednisolone alone as consolidation therapy after autologous stem-cell ...

Advances reshape stem cell research

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A decade ago, a dream team of researchers from Pittsburgh to South Korea claimed a medical invention that promised to reshape a culture war.

The scientists said they custom-designed stem cells from cloned human embryos. The scientific breakthrough was celebrated around the globe.

Then the bottom fell out.

A scandal erupted over fabricated data, and University of Pittsburgh biologist Gerald Schatten was forced to pull back the findings. Critics cast the 2004 discovery as a farce, a high-profile fraud that forced the journal Science into a rare retraction in January 2006.

Eight years later, the push to use stem cells as a medical treatment continues, but scholars balk at the suggestion that anyone is trying to make genetically identical individuals.

We're not here to clone human beings, for gosh sakes, said John Gearhart, a stem cell researcher and University of Pennsylvania professor in regenerative medicine. Instead, he said, scholars are working to manipulate stem cells to produce heart cells for cardiac patients, brain cells for neurological patients and other custom transplants that could match a person's genetic makeup.

Schatten's work continues at the Magee-Womens Research Institute at Pitt, where university officials cleared him of scientific misconduct, and he remains a vice chairman for research development. He focuses on educating and training physician-scientists and other scientists, a school spokeswoman wrote in a statement. She said Schatten was traveling and was unable to speak with the Tribune-Review.

Researchers have turned the onetime myth of developing stem cells into reality.

At the Oregon Health and Science University, researchers succeeded by blending unfertilized human eggs with body tissue to mold stem cells. Scholars say the cells could let doctors grow customized organs for transplants and other therapies.

The approach engineered by biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov's research team last year in Portland is among two that scientists are using to forge laboratory-made stem cells the so-called master cells that can transform into other body parts without relying on donated human embryos. Federal law tightly controls the use of taxpayer money for embryonic research.

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Advances reshape stem cell research

CSU Researchers Using Stem Cell Therapy To Treat Kidney Disease In Cats

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FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) Researchers at Colorado State University are using stem cell therapy to treat kidney disease in cats. Theyre hoping to learn if stem cells can stop the progression of the disease.

Its the first feline stem cell program in the country which offers hope for the estimated 75 million pet cats in the U.S.

As cats age, a third or more develop chronic kidney disease. The studies underway at CSU may help both the cats and eventually their humans.

Squeakers (credit: CBS)

Squeakers is a domestic short hair, 15 years old, part Siamese and ill.

Shes actually just recently diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, said veterinarian Dr. Jessica Quimby.

There is no cure for feline kidney disease except a transplant, so Squeakers owner has entrusted her to the veterinarians at CSU.

Her kidneys are a little bit smallish and a little irregular, said Quimby.

For five years, Quimby and her colleagues have been running clinical trials on cats in the early stages of kidney disease. They inject them with stem cells harvested from the fat of healthy cats.

Weve seen variable results. Some kittens do get a little bit improvement in their kidney function, said Quimby. Right after we give the stem cells sometimes its just the same.

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CSU Researchers Using Stem Cell Therapy To Treat Kidney Disease In Cats

Tremendous progress in the development of skin stem cell treatments for butterfly children

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27.11.2014 - (idw) IMBA - Institut fr Molekulare Biotechnologie der sterreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften GmbH

Scientists at IMBA Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Vienna have made a major advancement towards a future therapy for butterfly children. A treatment with fibroblasts generated from induced pluripotent stem cells has been highly successful in mice. The next step is to establish this method in humans. Butterfly children suffer from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a debilitating skin disease. It is caused by a genetic defect that leads to a deficiency or complete lack of various structural proteins. In one particularly severe form, the protein collagen 7 is either missing or present only in insufficient amounts. If that bond is missing, the skin forms blisters or tears at the slightest mechanical pressure, leading to wounds and inflammation that require extensive treatment with creams and bandages. Often these constant lesions also lead to aggressive forms of skin cancer.

Presently there is no cure for this disease. But there are promising approaches that could lead to successful treatments in the future. One of them is a method called fibroblast injection. In this procedure, fibroblasts are injected between the layers of the skin, where they can produce the necessary collagen 7.

Researchers at IMBA under the leadership of Arabella Meixner have now been successful in developing this method to treat mice affected by EB. The individual steps of this treatment have been worked out and carefully tested in many years of laboratory work, and the results have now been published in the scientific journal Science Translational Medicine.

First the scientists returned skin cells of the diseased mice to the stem cell stage and then repaired the genetic defect, the root cause of the disease. Then the researchers transformed stem cells back into fibroblasts.

Before the repaired fibroblasts could be reintroduced into the organism, measures to prevent inflammation or rejection were necessary. In this study the researchers conducted a type of toxicity test, and the results were very promising. After several months of observation, no adverse immune reactions occurred, and the risk of skin cancer did not increase. That is an important consideration because butterfly children already have a greatly increased risk of skin cancer.

The next step is to establish this skin stem cell treatment in humans. To achieve that, the IMBA scientists intend to look for partners with clinical experience. For severe forms of Epidermolysis Bullosa, a systemic application needs to be developed to spread the cells throughout the entire body via the bloodstream to reach epithelial tissues that are more difficult to access, for example the mucous membranes in the mouth or bowels. Often in butterfly children with milder forms of the disease, only certain areas of the skin are affected. The skin stem cell therapy with local injections successfully tested on mice could lead to a valuable treatment method in the very near future.

The project conducted by IMBA scientists was initiated by the patient organization DEBRA Austria, and has had the financial support of the association and of other generous supporters since 2009. DEBRA's mission is to ensure that butterfly children receive competent specialized medical care and to promote research into options to relieve and cure EB. Further thanks also go to our funding and cooperation partners sterreichische Lotterien and FK Austria Wien.

Original publication: Wenzel et. al., iPSC-based cell therapy for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Science Translational Medicine. 2014.

Scientific Contact: Dr. Arabella Meixner, Research Lead Tel. +43 664 2018084 arabella.meixner@imba.oeaw.ac.at Weitere Informationen:http://www.imba.oeaw.ac.at

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Tremendous progress in the development of skin stem cell treatments for butterfly children

Clinical Trials for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells – Video

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Clinical Trials for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Panama founder, Neil Riordan, PhD discusses clinical trials for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal...

By: http://www.cellmedicine.com

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Clinical Trials for MS and Rheumatoid Arthritis with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells - Video

Stem Cell Therapy Industry Analysis and Global Outlook to …

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New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/25/2014 -- Stem cells are most vital cells found in both humans and non-human animals. Stem cells are also known as centerpiece of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicines have capability to grow new cells and replace damaged and dead cells. Stem cell is the precursors of all cells in the human body. It has the ability to replicate itself and repair and replace other damaged tissues in the human body. In addition, stem cell based therapies are used in the treatment of several chronic diseases such as cancer and blood disorders.

Buy Full Report: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/stem-cell-therapy-market.asp

The global stem cell therapy market is categorized based on various modes of treatment and by therapeutic applications. The treatment segment is further sub-segmented into autologous stem cell therapy and allogeneic stem cell therapy. The application segment includes metabolic diseases, eye diseases, immune system diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular diseases and wounds and injuries.

In terms of geographic, North America dominates the global stem cell therapy market due to increased research activities on stem cells. The U.S. represents the largest market for stem cell therapy followed by Canada in North America. However, Asia is expected to show high growth rates in the next five years in global stem cell therapy market due to increasing population. In addition, increasing government support by providing funds is also supporting in growth of the stem cell therapy market in Asia. China and India are expected to be the fastest growing stem cell therapy markets in Asia.

In recent time, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and increasing funds from government organizations are some of the major drivers for global stem cell therapy market. In addition, rising awareness about stem cell therapies and increasing focus on stem cell research are also supporting in growth of global stem cell therapy market. However, less developed research infrastructure for stem cell therapies and ethical issues related to embryonic stem cells are some of the major restraints for global stem cell therapy market. In addition, complexity related with the preservation of stem cell also obstructs the growth of global stem cell therapy market.

Some of the major companies operating in the global stem cell therapy market are Mesoblast Ltd., Celgene Corporation, Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. and StemCells, Inc.

Request Full Toc: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3253

Key points covered in the report:

1) Report segments the market on the basis of types, application, products, technology, etc (as applicable)

2) The report covers geographic segmentation

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Stem Cell Therapy Industry Analysis and Global Outlook to ...

American Spine Launches Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy Treatments

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Frederick, Maryland (PRWEB) November 25, 2014

American Spine is a practice on the cutting edge, committed to providing the latest, most effective, and innovative treatments for its patients. As part of this philosophy, American Spine joins the excitement surrounding Regenerative Medicine, a modern and progressive field of orthopedics and sports medicine. Regenerative Medicine involves the application of biological therapy treatments that enhance the body's ability to heal itself.

Dr. Sandeep Sherlekar, M.D., an owner and physician at American Spine, comments: "PRP and Stem Cell Treatments are revolutionary regeneration options for now and the future."

The major benefit of PRP and Stem Cell Therapy Treatments is the use of the patient's own whole blood, bone marrow stem cells and adipose stem cells, thus eliminating the risk of rejection or infection from other donors. These treatments are increasing in popularity as an alternative to other more invasive techniques in treating ailments such as: Muscle Tears, Meniscus and ACL Injuries, Tennis and Golf Elbow, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, various types of Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Spine Disease with either Degenerative Disks or Annular Tearing, Osteoarthritis in the joints and many more. They are used as a way to speed healing after other methods of treatment or to aid in the healing of resistant, long lasting injuries.

The blood and/or stem cells are harvested from the patient and are then prepared using state-of-the-art technologies. The preparation of PRP allows for a platelet sample that is 5 times more concentrated with platelets than normal blood. Similarly, the preparation of the patient's stem cells produces a much higher concentration of stem cells, both of which are essential in the healing process. The PRP and/or stem cells are then injected back into the patient's injured or degenerated tissues under guided imaging. The potential complications of such treatments are similar to those associated with regular joint injections.

American Spine stringently follows the FDA guidelines for the clinical use of blood and stem cells. We do not expand, reproduce or grow anything within a culture.

If you are interested in learning more about these treatments as a method to your own healing process or that of your patients, please visit the following link: http://www.americanspinemd.com/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-and-autologous-stem-cell-treatment or call our offices to request additional information about these revolutionary therapies. We are offering a free consultation for new patients who are considering these treatments. The individual patient's treatment protocol will be formulated and discussed during the consultation.

At American Spine, our multidisciplinary team of physicians treat each patient's individual needs. Using the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose pain, our practitioners determine a plan to meet each patient's unique diagnosis. We have assembled the very best team of healthcare professionals who can most effectively help our patients with a compassionate and personalized approach. We have 10 Maryland locations and one location in Gettysburg, PA to service your individual needs.

Contact Information: American Spine 1050 Key Parkway, Suite 104, Frederick, MD 21702 ph: 240-629-3939 http://www.americanspinemd.com

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American Spine Launches Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy Treatments

Leah Still to undergo stem cell therapy

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CINCINNATI -- The daughter of a Cincinnati Bengal who has already been through a lot spent another day in the hospital for treatment Tuesday.

Leah Still -- Devon Stills daughter -- underwent a stem cell transplant procedure at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The stem cell treatment is an effort to regenerate her bone marrow and stem cells.

Stem cells definitely smell like corn...yall wasn't lying

Still flew to Philadelphia Monday to be with Leah. They went shopping at a mall.

The smile you have after shutting down the mall, literally. This girl had security and the... http://t.co/HHWtLhf4pf pic.twitter.com/QFRMJsdlCX

Still tweeted another photo Tuesday while they waited for her treatment to begin.

Selfies in the hospital to pass time by as we wait for the stem cells http://t.co/q6JZOIyi9q pic.twitter.com/ogB0J0Gitg

Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in June. She had surgery to remove a tumor from her abdomen in September, followed by chemotherapy to try to remove the cancer from her bone marrow.

She has already been treated with a round of chemotherapy and radiation.

Still said the family hopes that will be her only round of chemo and radiation but that it depends on how her results come back. He said it will take four to six weeks to determine if more treatments are necessary.

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Leah Still to undergo stem cell therapy

Stem Cell Therapy Market Poised to Reach $330 Million in …

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Dallas, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/24/2014 -- The report Stem Cell Therapy Market by Treatment Mode (Autologous & Allogeneic), Therapeutic Applications (CNS, CVS, GIT, Wound Healing, Musculoskeletal, Eye, & Immune System) - Regulatory Landscape, Pipeline Analysis & Global Forecasts to 2020 analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW).

Browse 57 market data tables 32 figures spread through 196 Slides and in-depth TOC on Stem Cell Therapy Market http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/stem-cell-technologies-and-global-market-48.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The global stem cell therapy market is expected to reach $330 million by 2020, at a CAGR of 39.5% from 2015 to 2020. The global market on the basis of the mode of treatment is segmented into allogeneic and autologous stem cell therapy. The allogeneic stem cell therapy is expected to command the largest share of the market in 2015, and is also expected to grow at a higher CAGR than autologous therapies from 2015 to 2020. Based on the therapeutic applications, the global market is segmented into eye diseases, metabolic diseases, GIT diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, immune system diseases, CNS diseases, CVS diseases, wounds and injuries, and others.

Get PDF Brochure: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=48

Based on geography, the market is divided into North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2015, North America is expected to hold the largest share in the global market, followed by Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the RoW (Rest of the World). The Asia-Pacific region is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR in the forecast period, owing to factors such as presence of huge patient population base, increasing regulatory support through favorable government policies, strong product pipelines of stem cell therapies, and rising licensing activities.

Inquiry Before Buying: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=48

Major players such as Mesoblast Ltd. (Australia), Aastrom Biosciences Inc. (U.S.), Celgene Corporation (U.S.), and StemCells, Inc.(U.S.) are adopting several growth strategies such as new product approvals, partnerships, agreements, collaborations, joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions in order to keep pace with the evolving industry trends.

Browse related reports: Cell Analysis Market by Instruments (Flow Cytometer, Microscope, Microfluidics, QPCR), Consumables, Application (Cell Identification, Cell Viability, Cell Proliferation, Cytology, Signal Transduction, Single Cell Analysis) - Global Forecast to 2018

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cell-analysis-market-157543946.html

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Poised to Reach $330 Million in ...

UCLA Researchers Unlock Protein Key to Harnessing Regenerative Power of Blood Stem Cells

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Newswise In a study led by Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research member, Dr. John Chute, UCLA scientists have for the first time identified a unique protein that plays a key role in regulating blood stem cell replication in humans.

This discovery lays the groundwork for a better understanding of how this protein controls blood stem cell growth and regeneration, and could lead to the development of more effective therapies for a wide range of blood diseases and cancers.

The study was published online November 21, 2014 ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the blood-forming cells that have the remarkable capacity to both self-renew and give rise to all of the differentiated cells (fully developed cells) of the blood system. HSC transplantation provides curative therapy for thousands of patients annually. However, little is known about the process through which transplanted HSCs replicate following their arrival in human bone marrow. In this study, the authors showed that a cell surface protein called protein tyrosine phosphatase-sigma (PTP-sigma) regulates the critical process called engraftment, meaning how HSCs start to grow and make health blood cells after transplantation.

Mamle Quarmyne, a graduate student the lab of Dr. Chute and first author of the study, demonstrated that PTP-sigma is produced (expressed) on a high percentage of mouse and human HSCs. She showed further that genetic deletion of PTP-sigma in mice markedly increased the ability of HSCs to engraft in transplanted mice.

In a complementary study, she demonstrated that selection of human blood HSCs which did not express PTP-sigma led to a 15-fold increase in HSC engraftment in transplanted immune-deficient mice. Taken together, these studies showed that PTP-sigma suppresses normal HSC engraftment capacity and targeted blockade of PTP-sigma can substantially improve mouse and human HSC engraftment after transplantation.

Chute and colleagues showed further that PTP-sigma regulates HSC function by suppressing a protein, RAC1, which is known to promote HSC engraftment after transplantation.

These findings have tremendous therapeutic potential since we have identified a new receptor on HSCs, PTP-sigma, which can be specifically targeted as a means to potently increase the engraftment of transplanted HSCs in patients, said Chute, senior author of the study and UCLA Professor of Hematology/Oncology and Radiation Oncology. This approach can also potentially accelerate hematologic recovery in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation, which also suppress the blood and immune systems.

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UCLA Researchers Unlock Protein Key to Harnessing Regenerative Power of Blood Stem Cells

Cell therapy trial offers new hope to liver disease patients

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PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

24-Nov-2014

Contact: Jen Middleton jen.middleton@ed.ac.uk 44-131-650-6514 University of Edinburgh @uniofedinburgh

Liver disease patients could be helped by a new cell therapy to treat the condition.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have received funding to start testing the therapy in patients within the next year.

It will be the world's first clinical trial of a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, a common disease where scar tissue forms in the organ as a result of long-term damage.

The Edinburgh team has received funding from the Medical Research Council and Innovate UK to investigate the disease, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year.

The only successful treatment for end-stage liver cirrhosis at present is an organ transplant. The new therapy is based on a type of white blood cell called a macrophage, which is key to normal repair processes in the liver.

Macrophages reduce scar tissue and stimulate the liver's own stem cells to expand and form into healthy new liver cells.

Scientists will take cells from the blood of patients with liver cirrhosis and turn them into macrophages in the lab using chemical signals.

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Cell therapy trial offers new hope to liver disease patients


  1. Stem Cell Therapy