1. Stem Cell Therapy

Category Archives: Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cells as Therapies | California’s Stem Cell Agency

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Stem cells have the potential to treat a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, and heart disease. Learn why these cells are such a powerful tool for treating disease as well as what the current hurdles are before new therapies can become available.

The most common way of thinking about stem cells treating disease is through a stem cell transplant. Embryonic stem cells are differentiated into the necessary cell type, then those mature cells replace tissue that is damaged by disease or injury. This type of treatment could be used to replace neurons damaged by spinal cord injury, stroke, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, or other neurological problems. Cells grown to produce insulin could treat people with diabetes and heart muscle cells could repair damage after a heart attack. This list could conceivably include any tissue that is injured or diseased.

These are all exciting areas of research, but embryonic stem cell-based therapies go well beyond cell transplants. What researchers learn from studying how embryonic stem cells develop into heart muscle cells, for example, could provide clues about what factors may be able to directly induce the heart muscle to repair itself. The cells could be used to study disease, identify new drugs, or screen drugs for toxic side effects. Any of these would have a significant impact on human health without transplanting a single cell.

In theory, theres no disease that is exempt from a possible treatment that comes out of stem cell research. Given that researchers may be able to study all cell types via embryonic stem cells, they have the potential to make breakthroughs in any disease.

CIRM has created disease pages for many of the major diseases being targeted by stem cell scientists. You can find those disease pages here.

You can also sort our complete list of CIRM awards to see what we've funded in different disease areas.

The first trials for embryonic stem cells have only just begun. Results from those won't be available for many years, once the necessary clinical trials are completed showing that the therapies are safe and that the work in treating disease. The only stem cell-based therapy currently in use is in bone marrow transplantation. Blood-forming stem cells in the bone marrow were the first stem cells to be identified and they are now the first to be used in the clinic.

The blood-forming stem cell is the component of bone marrow that is therapeutic in a bone marrow transplant. With the isolation of pure blood-forming stem cells it is now possible to transfer just the cells that are needed to replace the bone marrow. The cells migrate to appropriate bone marrow where they self-renew and rebuild the entire blood system.

Transplants of blood-forming stem cells have been used successfully in cancer treatments, and research suggests that they will be useful in treating autoimmune diseases and in helping people tolerate transplanted organs.

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Stem Cells as Therapies | California's Stem Cell Agency

Okyanos Treats First Patients with Cell Therapy

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Freeport, Grand Bahama (PRWEB) November 05, 2014

Okyanos is the first to receive regulatory approval from the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee (NSEC) to provide adult stem cell therapy in its new state-of-the-art facility and has now begun treating patients. The licensing includes approval for cardiac cell therapy, as well as cell therapy for tissue ischemia, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. The licensing criteria requires that approved protocols be supported by peer-reviewed papers showing substantial evidence of safety and efficacy.

"As the leader in cell therapy, Okyanos is very proud to bring a new standard of care and a better quality of life to patients who are looking for new options for unmet healthcare needs. said Matt Feshbach, CEO and co-founder of Okyanos. Adipose (fat)- derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) are known to restore blood flow, modulate the immune system, reduce inflammation and prevent further cell death after a wound, helping the body begin the process of healing itself.

Adult stem cell therapy has emerged as a new treatment alternative for those who want to live a more normal life but are restricted in these activities due to their medical conditions. Just 50 miles from the US shore, Okyanos cell therapy is available to patients with severe heart disease including coronary artery disease (CAD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) as well as patients with auto-immune diseases, orthopedic, neurological and urological conditions. Okyanos cell therapy is performed in their new state-of-the-art facility built to exceed U.S. surgical center standards.

With the regulatory and licensing approvals for adult stem cell therapy, Okyanos is the first to treat patients with cell therapy for severe heart disease and other unmet medical conditions based on a combination of internationally approved cell processing technology, technical papers, clinical trials and in-clinic use which provide the basis for a new standard of care.

Patients can contact Okyanos at http://www.okyanos.com or by calling toll free at 1-855-659-2667.

About Okyanos: (Oh key AH nos) Based in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Okyanos brings a new standard of care and a better quality of life to patients with coronary artery disease, tissue ischemia, autoimmune diseases, and other chronic neurological and orthopedic conditions. Okyanos Cell Therapy utilizes a unique blend of stem and regenerative cells derived from patients own adipose (fat) tissue which helps improve blood flow, moderate destructive immune response and prevent further cell death. Okyanos is fully licensed under the Bahamas Stem Cell Therapy and Research Act and adheres to U.S. surgical center standards. The literary name Okyanos, the Greek god of the river Okyanos, symbolizes restoration of blood flow.

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Okyanos Treats First Patients with Cell Therapy

International Stem Cell Corp. Gets FDA Clearance

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International Stem Cell Corp., a Carlsbad-based biotech company developing stem cell therapies and biomedical products, announced that the U. S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the companys human parthenogenetic stem cell line for investigational clinical use.

Human embryonic stem cells typically come from fertilized eggs. In 2007, however, scientists at International Stem Cell Corp. (ISCO) reported the first successful creation of human stem cell lines from unfertilized eggs, according to Scientific American. They used a process called parthenogenesis, in which researchers use chemicals to induce the egg to begin developing as if it had been fertilized. The egg called a parthenote behaves just like an embryo in the early stages of division. Because it contains no genetic material from a father, however, it cannot develop into a viable fetus. Just like embryonic stem cells, parthenogenetic stem cells can be coaxed to grow into different kinds of human cells or tissue, ready to be transplanted into diseased areas of the body.

"Many stem cell lines can never be used to develop commercial therapeutic products because they don't meet the FDA's ethical and quality standards, said Ruslan Semechkin, ISCOs chief scientific officer. With this clearance from the FDA, based on the safety of our cells and quality of our manufacturing processes, the company has removed any uncertainty in the potential clinical use of human parthenogenetic stem cells. Not only does this increase the chance that our regulatory submission for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, which we will be submitting before the end of the year, will be approved, but it also means that our human parthenogenetic stem cells can serve as the basis for investigational clinical studies for other indications, for example stroke or traumatic brain injury."

To be approved by the FDA for use in human trials and commercial therapeutic products, stem cells must be grown under what's known as good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions. GMP standards require that each batch of cells is grown in identical, repeatable conditions, ensuring that they have the same properties, and each person receiving a stem cell therapy would be getting an equivalent treatment. According to ISCO, achieving this level of consistency is difficult and requires knowing the exact identity and quantity of every component of the media that the cells grow in and characterizing cell batches extremely precisely, as well as rigorous quality control and assurance.

ISCO (OTCQB: ISCO) will use its own GMP facilities in Oceanside to produce the cells in preparation for the first clinical trial.

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International Stem Cell Corp. Gets FDA Clearance

Stem cell patent to reach Supreme Court

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Jeanne Loring holds a petri dish with induced pluripotent stem cells from a Parkinsons patient.

The U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to intervene over a controversial embryonic stem cell patent, opponents of the patent said Thursday.

Jeanne Loring, a stem cell scientist at The Scripps Research Institute, said the court will be asked Friday to overturn a lower court decision and allow the opponents to seek cancellation of the patent held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, or WARF.

Loring and two public interest groups, Consumer Watchdog and the Public Patent Foundation, have been trying to get that patent overturned since 2006. Another patent giving rights over induced pluripotent stem cells has been waived by WARF.

Loring, who is researching the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease, said the remaining patent impedes development of embryonic stem cell therapies.

Embryonic stem cell therapies are reaching the clinical stage, such as San Diego's ViaCyte, which recently began trials of its therapy for Type 1 diabetes, derived from human embryonic stem cells.

"We think that now embryonic stem cells really are showing their worth in clinical studies, it's very important to just wipe this thing off the books, so nobody can either shut down trials or require huge licensing fees for successful efforts," Loring said.

The foundation got the patent for work by James Thomson of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was the first to derive human embryonic stem cells, in 1998.

Opponents say Thomson's feat, while significant, was not a patent-worthy technological advance. Loring has said other qualified scientists could have isolated the cells with methods used for finding animal embryonic stem cells, so the advance was obvious.

Moreover, embryonic stem cells are a product of nature and therefore not patentable according to a 2012 Supreme Court ruling, they say.

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Stem cell patent to reach Supreme Court

Lab-grown stem cell trial gets green light

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Irelands first human stem cell trial using lab-grown cells is due to get underway in Galway in the new year following approval from the medicines watchdog.

The trial will involve extracting adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from the bone marrow of patients with a condition known as critical limb ischemia (CLI) a severe blockage of the arteries resulting in marked reduction in blood flow to the extremities.

Reduction in blood flow to the legs puts patients at risk of gangrene, ulceration, and amputation, and the Galway trial will look at the use of MSCs to grow new stems cells which will then be injected back into the patients leg with the hope of growing new blood cells and improving circulation.

The harvested stem cells will be grown to much greater quantities in a highly specialised lab before being injected back into the patients leg.

Tim OBrien, director of the Galway-based Regenerative Medicine Institute, said their research was focused on whether MSC therapy could improve blood flow to the legs in patients with CLI a condition common in diabetics and therefore avoid the need for amputation. The trial is aimed predominantly at testing the safety and feasibility of what is very much an experimental therapy, Prof OBrien said.

We will be doing a dose escalation study, with some patients given a small dose, others a medium dose and the remainder a high dose, he said. We want to try and establish how many cells do you need to give a patient.

The study, the first in humans in Ireland, will be a year-long study involving nine patients. Prof OBrien said they would not be advertising for participants, but rather would let clinicians know and await referrals of suitable patients.

In the meantime, they would be preparing the custom-built facility where the cells are grown, at the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland in NUI Galway, the first such facility in Ireland to receive a licence from the Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Prof OBrien said MSCs have a lot of properties that may make them useful in treating a wide variety of disease because of their reparative and regenerative qualities.

Prof OBrien delivered a talk yesterday on the Therapeutic Potential of MSCs in Diabetic Complications on the second day of a two-day international stem cell conference at NUI Galway.

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Lab-grown stem cell trial gets green light

PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy – Video

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PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy
PHYTOSCIENCE DOUBLE STEM CELL removes the apperance of age lines and restore smoth, radiant, youthful looking skin! LOOK YOUNGER REDUCE THE LOOK OF WRINKLES ...

By: Emmanuel Villamor Jr

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PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Medical groups call for major stem cell investment from public, private sector

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OTTAWA - A coalition of Canadian stem cell advocates, researchers and charities is calling for $1.5 billion in private and public funding for stem cell therapy over the next 10 years.

The coalition's action plan is aimed at cementing Canada's reputation as a stem cell leader, one that uses stem cell science to reduce suffering and death from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, vision loss, spinal cord injuries and other conditions.

James Price, the president and CEO of the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation, says the action plan could help millions of people with new, life-changing therapies.

The action plan's call for funding includes a $50 million scaled annual average commitment by the federal government.

The Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine estimates the action plan could also create more than 12,000 jobs due to the growth of existing companies and the development of new enterprises aimed at global markets.

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Medical groups call for major stem cell investment from public, private sector

Riordan-McKenna Institute Founders, Neil Riordan, PhD and Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Wade McKenna Present at the Mid …

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Chicago, Illinois (PRWEB) October 30, 2014

On October 26th at the Mid American Regenerative and Cellular Medicine Showcase in Chicago, leading applied stem cell research scientist Neil Riordan, PhD and Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Wade McKenna presented talks on New Techniques for Enhancing Stem Cell Therapy Effectiveness and Orthopedic Surgical Applications For Stem Cells.

Dr. Riordan focused on historical medical uses of amniotic membrane and the properties of AlphaGEMS that include: wound healing; inflammation and pain reduction; fibrosis risk reduction; growth factor source; adhesion reduction; regeneration support and stem cell enhancement, specifically regarding the mesenchymal stem cells contained within BMAC.

Dr. McKenna discussed the latest applications of BMAC stem cells in orthopedic surgeries like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and how BMAC injections can virtually eliminate infection risk, reduce complications, increase graft strength, reduce post-surgical inflammation and significantly reduce recovery time. Dr. McKenna also talked about how bone marrow can now be safely and relatively painlessly harvested using his patented BioMAC catheter under local, not general anesthesia.

Dr. Riordan and Dr. McKenna are co-founders of the Riordan-McKenna Institute (RMI), which will be opening soon in Southlake, Texas. RMI will specialize in regenerative orthopedics including non-surgical stem cell therapy and stem cell-enhanced surgery using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and AlphaGEMS amniotic tissue product.

Other noteworthy speakers in attendance included: Paolo Macchiarini, MD-PhD, Arnold Caplan, PhD and Mark Holterman, MD-PhD. Dr. Macchiarini and Dr. Holterman are well known for their work on the first stem cell trachea transplant. Dr. Caplan discovered the mesenchymal stem cell and is commonly referred to as the father of the mesenchymal stem cell.

About Neil Riordan PhD

Dr. Riordan is the co-founder of the Riordan-McKenna Institute (RMI), which will be opening soon in Southlake, Texas. RMI will specialize in regenerative orthopedics including non-surgical stem cell therapy and stem cell-enhanced surgery using bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and AlphaGEMS amniotic tissue product.

Dr. Riordan is founder and chief scientific officer of Amniotic Therapies Inc. (ATI). ATI specializes in amniotic tissue research and development. Its current product line includes AlphaGEMS and AlphaPATCH amniotic tissue-based products.

Dr. Riordan is the founder and chairman of Medistem Panama, Inc., (MPI) a leading stem cell laboratory and research facility located in the Technology Park at the prestigious City of Knowledge in Panama City, Panama. Founded in 2007, MPI stands at the forefront of applied research on adult stem cells for several chronic diseases. MPI's stem cell laboratory is ISO 9001 certified and fully licensed by the Panamanian Ministry of Health. Dr. Riordan is the founder of Stem Cell Institute (SCI) in Panama City, Panama (est. 2007).

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Riordan-McKenna Institute Founders, Neil Riordan, PhD and Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Wade McKenna Present at the Mid ...

Grace Centurys Stem Cell Biobank Project Announces Chairmans Appointment to National Stem Cell Ethics Committee of …

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Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (PRWEB) October 30, 2014

Grace Century portfolio project, Provia Laboratories, announced the appointment of Dr. James A. Manganello, Chairman of the Board, to the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee (NSCEC) of The Bahamas. The appointment was made by the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of The Bahamas on September 24th, 2014.

More than a year after Bahamian Parliament passed the Stem Cell Therapy and Research Bill, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government has completed the accompanying regulations and expects to begin approving applications for stem cell centers this month. Dr. Gomez, Minister of Health, said that the regulation of the stem cell therapy industry will lessen the potential for abuse and will ensure the highest standards of research and treatments are adhered to. Three committees have been established; the National Stem Cell Ethics Committee (NSCEC), the Scientific Committee, and the Compliance Committee.

I am truly honored and delighted to be appointed to the NSCEC, and look forward to being part of the Bahamian Stem Cell Research and Therapy undertaking, said Dr. James Manganello. As Provia continues to expand its reach outside the US, I feel it is important to share our experience and expertise to strengthen the legal and ethical infrastructure for stem cell therapeutics around the world. Participating in committees such as the NSCEC, we can have impact in helping to accelerate this important medical field.

The NSCEC will issue guidelines and approve or deny proposals for stem cell research and therapy. The Compliance Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all stem cell and research guidelines are adhered to. The Scientific Committee will review recommendations from local scientific boards regarding proposed protocols for stem cell research in categories designated by the NSCEC. Gomez said, once the committees become operational, The Bahamas will be one of the first nations with the necessary professional environment, and can potentially lead the world in this new arena that is fascinating while utilizing new technologies, creativity and innovations.

Scott Wolf, CEO of Grace Century also commented, To have Provias Chairman recognized for such a position reflects the firms commitment to excellence.

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About Provia Laboratories, LLC Provia Laboratories, LLC (http://www.provialabs.com) is a health services company specializing in high quality biobanking (the collection, transport, processing, and cryogenic storage of biological specimens). Its dental stem cell banking service, Store-A-ToothTM, gives parents the option to store stem cells today to protect their childrens health tomorrow. Store-A-Tooth preserves stem cells from baby and wisdom teeth that would otherwise be discarded, so parents can be prepared for advances in stem cell therapies that someday may help treat conditions such as type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart attack, stroke, and neurological disorders like Parkinsons and Alzheimers. For more information about Store-A-Tooth dental stem cell banking visit: http://www.store-a-tooth.com or http://www.facebook.com/storeatooth.

About Grace Century FZ LLC Grace Century FZ LLC is an International research and private equity consultancy located in Ras Al Khaimah (north of Dubai) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Grace Century specializes in game-changing life science and health related private equity projects. For more information, visit http://www.gracecentury.com.

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Grace Centurys Stem Cell Biobank Project Announces Chairmans Appointment to National Stem Cell Ethics Committee of ...

Copy of PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy – Video

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Copy of PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy
PHYTOSCIENCE DOUBLE STEM CELL removes the apperance of age lines and restore smoth, radiant, youthful looking skin! LOOK YOUNGER REDUCE THE LOOK OF WRINKLES LINES ...

By: Emmanuel Villamor Jr

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Copy of PhytoScience Philippines Celeb Share good effect of Stem Cell Therapy - Video

The Miracle of Stem Cell Therapy at Adler Footcare Regenerates Cells, Heals Foot Pain

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New York, New York (PRWEB) October 29, 2014

Stem cell therapy is the future of foot pain treatment. New York podiatrists at Adler Footcare are using ethical stem cell treatments for foot problems to help speed healing, minimize pain, and reduce swelling.

Stem cells are cells that havent quite yet determined their role in the body. This gives them the ability to turn into anything. The treatment is being used for problems causing foot pain, such as Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis of the first toe joint. Stem cells help regenerate new cartilage and helps tissue heal much quicker.

"Stem cells turn into everything," said Dr. Jeffrey Adler, Medical/Surgical Director & Owner of Adler Footcare. "So basically, if the damage is due to cartilage, they turn into cartilage. If the damage is due to soft tissue, they turn into soft tissue. Its the Swiss army knife of treatments."

The stem cells are not live embryos, but instead are generated from the placenta and ethically obtained during the C-sections of live births. The women who the cells are taken from are screened and tested for any communicable diseases beforehand.

Stem cell therapy uses a minimally invasive technique to inject the cells directly into the area where the patient is feeling the foot pain. Fluoroscopy is used to determine the exact position for injection. When stem cell therapy is used healing occurs twice as fast. As the tissues are regenerated and the swelling is minimized, the patient is able to experience more range of motion, less post-operative pain, and less inflammation.

The New York podiatrists at Adler Footcare have been using stem cell therapy for 2 years. They continue to stay up-to-date on the process and have seen only positive results.

To learn more about stem cell treatment for foot pain, contact a New York podiatrist at Adler Footcare.

About Dr. Jeffrey L. Adler

Dr. Jeffrey L. Adler, Medical/Surgical Director and Owner of Adler Footcare of Greater New York has been practicing podiatric medicine since 1979 and has performed thousands of foot and ankle surgeries. Dr. Adler is board certified in Podiatric Surgery and Primary Podiatric Medicine by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry. Dr. Adler is also a Professor of Minimally Invasive Foot Surgery for the Academy of Ambulatory Foot and Ankle Surgeons. As one of only several in the country who perform minimally invasive podiatric surgery, Dr. Adlers patients enjoy significantly reduced recovery times.

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The Miracle of Stem Cell Therapy at Adler Footcare Regenerates Cells, Heals Foot Pain

My Pet World: Stem cell treatments show promise for some feline health issues

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Q: You recently wrote about stem cell research, and I understand that stem cell therapy is being used to treat inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Do you have more details?

A: The Winn Feline Foundation has funded the research of Dr. Craig Webb and Dr. Tracy Webb of Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine to study the use of stem cells to treat inflammatory bowel disease in cats. Early results are promising.

Stem cell research in cats doesn't stop there. Dr. Glenn Olah, president of the Winn Feline Foundation, notes that Winn also funded stem cell studies to treat feline asthma and kidney disease. Results are hopeful, but it's simply too early to offer definitive answers.

"In some ways, stem cell studies in pets are ahead of (those in) people."

Q: About a month ago, I adopted a beautiful Burmese after she romanced me at the shelter. Once we got home, she wanted nothing to do with me. It's not that she isn't friendly. She loves my son and even sleeps with him. When I get up early to feed her, she stays away until I've left the room. My son suggested that the cat harbors resentment toward me because I took her from her cat friends. What can do to improve the situation?

A: "The good news is that it's very unlikely the cat harbors any resentment," said Winn Feline board member and feline veterinarian Dr. Drew Weigner, of Atlanta. "The bad news for you -- but good news for the cat and your son -- is that they developed a fast friendship.

Here are tips that might help the cat warm up to you:

Sit on the floor in an empty room with her. Close the door, but provide an empty box or two for the cat to hop into. Then, simply watch TV, or read a children's story out loud. Cats sometimes like that soft sing-song voice we tend to use when reading children's stories.

Wait until the cat comes to you. It may take several days, but eventually curiosity will out.

Next, take over feeding the cat, even if she waits for you to leave the room to eat.

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My Pet World: Stem cell treatments show promise for some feline health issues

San Diego Stem Cell Clinic, Telehealth, Now Offering Knee Procedures for Cartilage Restoration

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San Diego, California (PRWEB) October 28, 2014

The top stem cell clinic in San Diego, Telehealth, is now offering regenerative medicine procedures for the knee to help restore cartilage and avoid the need for joint replacement. The procedures are outpatient and performed by Board Certified doctors at Telehealth. Call (888) 828-4575 for more information and scheduling.

Hundreds of thousands of knee replacements are performed every year in the US, with most being extremely successful. However, it is a major surgery and there is a chance of complications such as infection or blood clot. Therefore, it is advisable to consider a stem cell procedure for the arthritic knee in an effort to delay or avoid the procedure.

Telehealth provides the procedures with several options, including platelet rich plasma therapy, bone marrow or fat derived stem cells, along with amniotic derived procedures. All of the procedures are outpatient and low risk.

In most cases, the procedures are covered in whole or partly by insurance. Telehealth will perform an insurance verification prior to one's procedure. The Board Certified doctors at the stem cell clinic in San Diego treat patients from a broad area in Southern California. There are several locations including La Jolla, Orange and Upland CA.

In addition to stem cell procedures for knee arthritis, TeleHealth also provides regenerative medicine options for tendon and ligament injuries, sports injuries along with hip, shoulder and ankle arthritis.

For those interested in avoiding knee replacement with a procedure that can potentially preserve or repair arthritic cartilage, call Telehealth at (888) 828-4575 and visit http://stemcelltherapyincalifornia.com/ for more information.

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San Diego Stem Cell Clinic, Telehealth, Now Offering Knee Procedures for Cartilage Restoration


  1. Stem Cell Therapy