Experimental study speeds up bone healing with 2 common medications – New Atlas

A new proof-of-concept study has found a combination of two drugs, already approved by the FDA for other uses, may boost the release of stem cells from bone marrow and accelerate the healing of broken bones. Only demonstrated in animals at this stage, the researchers suggest clinical trials could progress rapidly considering the drugs have already been demonstrated as safe in humans.

"The body repairs itself all the time, says corresponding author on the study Sara Rankin. We know that when bones break they will heal, and this requires the activation of stem cells in the bone. However, when the damage is severe, there are limits to what the body can do of its own accord.

A great deal of current research is focusing on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies. MSCs are a type of adult stem cell that can grow into a variety of different cell types including muscle, fat or bone. Many current MSC treatments in development involve extracting a small number from a patient, growing them in laboratory conditions, then injecting them back into the patient.

The new research set out to investigate whether any currently approved drugs can function to mobilize the bodys natural ability in releasing MSCs, with a view on speeding up healing of bone fractures. A study published in the journal npj Regenerative Medicine, describes the testing of two already approved drugs in a rodent spinal injury model.

The two drugs tested were an immunostimulant called Plerixafor, used to stimulate the release of stem cells from bone marrow in cancer patients, and a beta-3 adrenergic agonist developed to help bladder control.

The results suggest the duo of drugs mobilize MSCs into the bloodstream and speed up the process of bone formation and healing by enhancing the binding of calcium to the injury site. Tariq Fellous, first author on the new study, suggests the next step is to investigate whether this drug combination enhances blood MSC levels in human subjects.

We first need to see if these medications release the stem cells in healthy volunteers, before we can then test them in patients with fractures, says Fellous. We have the drugs and know they are safe to use in humans - we just need the funding for the human trials.

The researchers say prior studies have identified circulating MSCs increase in volume following injuries such as burns, bone fractures, and even heart attack. The hypothesis is that the release of MSCs is a physiological process aiding general regeneration following injury, and if circulating numbers of MSCs could be pharmacologically enhanced then a variety of types of tissue regeneration could be accelerated.

It is important to note the current study only examined increases in circulating MSCs and the rate of spine injury healing compared to no drug treatment. The current research offers no indication whether the drug duo influences nerve healing or restores movement.

So, more work is certainly necessary to understand how clinically useful these results actually are. However, as the studys co-first author Andia Redpath notes, this re-purposing of existing medicines to boost stem cell activity is an easier, cheaper, and more efficient way to enhance healing compared to other, more complex and time-consuming, stem cell treatments in development.

Rather than devising new stem cell treatments from scratch that involve lengthy and expensive trials, our approach harnesses the power of the bodys own stem cells, using existing drugs, says Redpath. We already know the treatments in our study are safe, its now just a matter of exploring further if they help our bodies heal.

The new study was published in the journal npj Regenerative Medicine.

Source: Imperial College London

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Experimental study speeds up bone healing with 2 common medications - New Atlas

Tackling the Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy… – Labiotech.eu

The excitement about cell and gene therapies is almost tangible within the biotech and pharma industry. Over 950 companies are actively developing advanced therapies, which are expected to make exceptional improvements to peoples lives in the next decade. Although hopes are high, the industry still faces a number of challenges in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, mainly around being able to deliver these often difficult to make, complex treatments at the scale needed to meet patient demand.

The unprecedented growth of the industry, alongside the need to develop scalable manufacturing strategies, has led to a number of challenges that need to be addressed urgently. Previously, patient numbers were so small that processes were highly manual and required numerous skilled operators. However, the recent success of early gene therapy trials means upscaling now needs to be considered right from the start.

In the early days the aim was just to get to the clinic, said Lindsey Clarke, Head of Cell and Gene Therapy EMEA at Bio-Techne. Scale didnt come into it so much, but now the conversations we are having focus much more on making these complex therapies at a scale needed for a commercial medicine. There are increased efforts on finding solutions that dont just work for trials with 10 patients, but will still work at 1000 times that scale.

Life science tools and technology provider, Bio-Techne, has made it its mission to further support the cell and gene therapy industry by channeling its expertise into developing technologies that can help to scale manufacturing processes. The companys commitment is highlighted by its recent investment into a new good manufacturing practice (GMP) manufacturing facility in St Paul, Minnesota, US, that will focus on producing raw materials for use in cell and gene therapy applications.

We have realized that if all our customers are to be successful with their therapies then there will be a huge demand for raw materials, Clarke explained. So weve started building that capability, ahead of time. But its not just about supply, we are also innovating, from simple things like looking closely at the format our products come in and making them more compatible with large-scale manufacturing to whole new product ranges.

Bio-Technes investment in the new GMP manufacturing facility is a solution to meet the growing demand for raw materials needed for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. But its just one piece of a large puzzle: cell and gene therapy developers also need to consider the complex logistics required to deliver their therapies to the clinic, particularly when its an autologous therapy.

The process from the patient to the clinician, to the apheresis collection, to the manufacturing site, then the complex manufacturing process and then delivery back to the patient is highly complex.

Another key challenge closely related to upscaling is the great risk of human error in manual processes. Many of the cell and gene manufacturing processes currently in place have been developed with small patient numbers in mind and involve manual steps.

Humans are an excellent source of error and risk, explained Clarke. When youre manufacturing in a GMP environment, you need highly-skilled, trained operators and there is a shortage of them out there. Automation is going to be key to address this issue. Not only does it reduce the manpower that is required, but it can also streamline the processes and make them less risky, more scalable, and reproducible as well, Clarke added.

With cell and gene therapy products, various analytical methods are used to assess critical quality attributes during development and manufacturing. These reflect the identity, potency, purity, safety, and stability of the product. However, such methods are frequently complex, non-standardized, time-consuming, and performed manually by trained operators.

Organizations such as Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult have called for the development of new analytical solutions for quality testing of advanced therapies throughout the manufacturing process. More automated analytical technologies have the potential to increase facility throughput and make quality control (QC) faster, less error-prone, more reproducible, and more GMP compliant.

Although Bio-Techne has a long-standing history of developing quality proteins, antibodies, small molecules, and immunoassays, it has expanded into automated protein analytical technologies in recent years.

For viral and non-viral vectors, Bio-Technes ProteinSimple branded platforms are rapidly being adopted by cell and gene therapy developers for assessment of vector identity, purity, and stability. Compared to traditional methods like Western blot, SDS-PAGE, and ELISA, ProteinSimples technology platform is based on capillary electrophoresis and microfluidics and provides a fully automated and accurate quantitative analysis of vectors.

We are also seeing Micro-Flow Imaging (MFI), a more common image-based analytical platform in biologics, used to characterize subvisible particles for quality control of cell and gene therapy products, explained Kamar Johnson, Commercial Development Manager in Cell and Gene Therapy at Bio-Techne. These automated platforms offer ease of use, rapid time to result, enhanced reproducibility and software that meets GMP requirements.

Collaboration lies at the heart of successful innovation. It is especially important at the interface between process development and manufacturing, said Johnson.

Not everyone is an expert in everything, we all have our particular niches of expertise, added Clarke. We believe that we need to collaborate to get the innovation that will help change the way we manufacture cell and gene therapies. Collaboration is the key to solving the challenges of the cell and gene therapy industry.

On that note, Bio-Techne recently partnered with Fresenius Kabi and Wilson Wolf to form a new joint venture that provides manufacturing technologies and processes for the development and commercialization of new cell and gene therapies.

The collaboration combines Bio-Technes expertise of proteins, reagents, media, and gene editing technologies with Fresenius Kabis Lovo cell processing system and the bioreactor expertise from Wilson Wolf with its G-Rex technology that is designed as a scalable and practical platform for personalized cell therapies.

As processes develop and technologies evolve, the cell and gene therapy space will be confronted with new challenges. At Bio-Techne, the team is keeping an eye out for interesting trends that might affect the industry.

I see the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) therapy field continuing to grow with more allogeneic cell therapies being developed, says Johnson. Allogeneic manufacturing is potentially less complicated than autologous manufacturing due to the ability to provide off-the-shelf products when patients need them.

Although the challenges in cell and gene therapy manufacturing remain a problem, companies like Bio-Techne are establishing quicker, simpler, and more automated options within quality control, manufacturing, and process development.

Wherever we go, we see newer technologies supporting cell and gene therapy manufacturing, says Clarke. Within our industry, changes come so rapidly and the treatments have shown so much promise that there is a lot of focus on cell and gene therapies. This puts a lot of pressure on us as an industry to provide these treatments. I believe that collaboration is the key to tackling this problem.

To learn more about the challenges in cell and gene therapy manufacturing and how to solve them, visit Bio-Technes website or get in touch with the experts here!

Images via Shutterstock.com

Author: Larissa Warneck

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Tackling the Challenges in Cell and Gene Therapy... - Labiotech.eu

Red Cross and American Cancer Society Partnering to Help Cancer Patients – WLTZ 38 NBC

Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nations blood supply. Thats why this February, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time, ensuring loved ones have the strength and support to battle cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 28,570 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Alabama this year. Many of these people will likely have a need for blood.

A loved ones cancer diagnosis often makes families and friends feel helpless. Thats why the Give Blood to Give Time partnership with the American Cancer Society is so important, said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer, American Red Cross. When someone donates blood or platelets or makes a financial gift, they are helping to give patients and their families time, resources and the hope they need to fight back.

To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment or make a financial gift, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the problem. Blood products are often needed. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the United States give blood. More people are needed to donate regularly to help meet the need.

The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story, said Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Individuals can honor their loved ones by making a blood donation appointment or financial contribution at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

Who blood donations help

In April 2015, Stephenie Perry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma exactly 10 days before her commencement ceremony from graduate school. One week after commencement, treatments began. During chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, she needed blood and platelet transfusions.

I dont even know how many units of blood Ive received, she said. But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.

Last February, Perry received the good news that her cancer is in remission. The next day, her then-boyfriend, Justin Perry, proposed to her just in time for Valentines Day. They talked about marriage while she battled cancer, but they wanted to wait until she was in remission. Justin Perry said he didnt want to go another day without asking her to marry him. They were married in September.

Her red blood cell counts still get low at times. When that happens, she goes in for another blood transfusion.

I think its safe to say that my successful battle with cancer depended upon complete strangers and their donated blood. For this, I am grateful, Stephenie Perry said. Sometimes I hear stories from friends about people who are scared of needles or afraid to donate blood. I wish I could stand face-to-face with those people and tell them there is nothing scary about saving a life a life like mine.

Courtesy: American Red Cross

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Red Cross and American Cancer Society Partnering to Help Cancer Patients - WLTZ 38 NBC

Meet 20 European Immuno-Oncology Companies that are Fighting… – Labiotech.eu

With the success of CAR T-cell therapies and other innovative medicines in this area, immuno-oncology has become a buzzword in biotech, with more and more companies starting up in Europe and elsewhere. With so many players involved, it can be hard to know who is doing what. Here are 20 European companies we think stand out and are leading the revolution in cancer medicine.

Although immunotherapies to treat cancer have been around for decades, new approaches are popping up every other day. After all, enlisting the immune system to fight cancer remains an extremely promising therapeutic strategy. There are so many companies focusing on different kinds of immunotherapies that it was quite a challenge to choose our favorites. We therefore enlisted the help of experts in the industry to select the following 20 immuno-oncology companies in Europe as our top picks. As ever, these are in no particular order.

Founded in Abingdon, UK, in 2008, Adaptimmune develops enhanced T-cell therapies that support the immune system in detecting and targeting cancer cells. Interestingly, its SPEAR T cell technology can target a variety of solid tumors a feat that is not easy to achieve, as solid tumors have a highly complex tumor microenvironment that many immunotherapies find difficult to penetrate.

The companys technology can identify and select T cell receptors (TCRs) that are more likely to improve the patients immune response and result in the effective binding of cancer cells. In January 2020, Adaptimmune and Japanese company Astellas agreed to co-develop and co-commercialize stem-cell-derived allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T and TCR T cell therapies, which means that they not only treat one specific patient but a large number of patients with a particular cancer type. The deal was worth 806M.

ADC Therapeutics works in the area of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Since being founded in 2011 in Lausanne, Switzerland, ADC Therapeutics has raised 514M ($558M) to advance its immuno-oncology therapies. The companys proprietary ADCs combine monoclonal antibodies that are specific to targets on the surface of tumor cells with a specific class of toxins called pyrrolobenzodiazepine (PBD) dimers.

The PBD dimer is released inside the tumor cells and binds to the tumor DNA, which blocks the division of the tumor cells and eventually kills them. ADC Therapeutics currently has two ADCs for liquid tumors in pivotal phase II studies, and one ADC targeting solid tumors in phase Ib. In January 2020, the company announced the positive results of its phase II trial of its leading ADC in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

Yet another direction in the treatment of cancer via the immune system is taken by Heidelberg-based company Affimed Therapeutics. Founded in 2000, the company focuses on the innate immune system. Using its ROCK platform, Affimed develops multi-specific antibodies called cell engagers.

Innate cell engagers can bind to the patients innate immune cells, including natural killer cells and macrophages, while simultaneously binding to specific tumor cells. As a result, the patients own immune systems can attack and kill the cancer cells. The companys lead candidate is currently in phase II for a number of liquid tumors.

Based in London, UK, and founded in 2014 as a spin-out from the University College London, Autolus Therapeutics uses CARs and TCRs to reprogram T cells so they recognize and consequently kill tumor cells. In January 2020, the company revealed the closure of its public offering on the Nasdaq with net proceeds of 68.4M ($74.2M).

Autolus other news in January was the announcement of the clinical progress of its next-generation programmed T cell therapy. It is currently in Phase I/II for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. The results showed no neurotoxicity and a manageable safety profile.

BioNTech has a much larger pipeline that contains CARs, TCRs, recombinant cytokines, and optimized mRNA. Founded in Mainz, Germany, in 2008, the company is one of the largest biotechs in Europe. Its pipeline is full to bursting with a variety of immuno-oncology therapies based on mRNA, antibodies, and CAR-T cells.

In July 2019, BioNTech raised one of the biggest ever funding rounds of a European biotech with a whopping 290M Series B. However, in October of that same year, the companys Nasdaq IPO, which was initially estimated to raise around 725M, resulted in pricing at only 141M due to poor market conditions in the US.

Based in Paris, France, and founded in 1999, Cellectis is also focusing on CART-cell therapy. It is working on a novel type of CART therapy known as Universal CARTs (UCARTs). Unlike the two approved CAR-T therapies, Novartis Kymriah and Gileads Yescarta, UCARTs are allogeneic so rather than being personalized, they can treat a large number of patients with a particular cancer type.

In November 2019, Cellectis announced that it had won the European patent challenge for the use of CRISPR-Cas9 for gene editing T cells. This process will help the company further develop its UCART platform. To date, six of its main UCART product candidates are in Phase I clinical trials.

As another biotech giant, Celyad is also working in the field of CART-cell therapies but is focusing on the NKG2D receptor. Founded in 2004 in Mont-Saint Guibert, Belgium, the companys lead immuno-oncology candidate uses the NKG2D receptor. NKG2D can bind to eight different ligands that are naturally found on cancer cells present in 80% of solid and liquid malignancies.

Something cool about NKG2D is that the ligands that it recognizes are also expressed by the tumor microenvironment, which comprises the blood vessels that support the tumor and the cells that make sure the tumor can evade the immune system. As a result, the lead candidate can target and kill the tumor as well as cleaning up its microenvironment. The candidate is currently in phase I.

Spun-off from the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, in 2007, Crescendo Biologics develops targeted T-cell enhancing therapeutics with the aim of tackling difficult-to-treat cancers. The companys Humabody therapies are small, multi-specific antibody fragments that can penetrate tumor tissue in a way that conventional antibodies cannot.

Crescendo Biologics lead proprietary candidate is a bispecific T-cell engager targeting the prostate-specific membrane antigen. It can selectively activate tumor-specific T cells within the tumor microenvironment. It is currently advancing towards clinical development.

As a spring chicken among other European immuno-oncology companies, we felt Ervaxx deserved a mention here because it develops cancer vaccines and cell therapies targeting dark antigens normally silent genes that are expressed in cancer cells. Founded in 2017 in London, UK, Ervaxx recently made headlines when it got its hands on the license of an exciting new preclinical stage universal cancer immunotherapy.

In early January 2020, a group of researchers at Cardiff University discovered a new type of T cells that have the potential to attack a wide range of cancers, such as leukemia and melanoma. Ervaxx is continuously expanding its repertoire of Dark Antigens. Using these, the company is working on a pipeline of off-the-shelf cancer vaccines and TCR-based therapies.

Founded in 2008 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Evaxion takes a very different approach to fighting cancer: using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop immunotherapies. The company has developed two AI platforms that can identify and optimize epitopes and antigens that are capable of eliciting strong immune responses against cancer and infectious diseases.

The companys PIONEER platform is used for the development of personalized cancer immunotherapies. In April 2019, it announced the beginning of phase I with the dosing of the first patient with its lead candidate, a therapeutic vaccine. Evaxion closed the year by successfully raising 16M ($17M).

GammaDelta Therapeutics, founded in 2016, takes another approach to immuno-oncology therapies. The London-based company focuses on gamma delta T cells. Unlike alpha beta T cells which are commonly used in CAR-T therapy, gamma delta T cells are a part of the innate immune system. In short, this means that gamma delta T cells are already pre-programmed to identify and kill cells that are modified by cancer. The company is currently advancing its allogeneic gamma delta T cell therapies through preclinical development.

In October 2019, GammaDelta Therapeutics announced the formation of the spinout company Adaptate Biotherapeutics. Adaptate will be developing therapeutic antibodies that can modulate the activity of gamma delta T cells with the aim of triggering an immune response to fight cancer.

Danish biotech Genmab had an exciting start to the new year. In January 2020, one of the companys lead candidates daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody, received marketing authorization by the EMA. Marketed as DARZALEX, it can be used in combination with bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma.

Founded in Copenhagen in 1999, Genmab focuses on the development of antibody therapies against cancer. In December 2019, Genmab signed a deal with German biotech CureVac to develop mRNA drugs that can produce antibodies within the patient, which is an exciting development.

Heidelberg Pharma, formerly known as Wilex, was founded in 1997 in Heidelberg, Germany. The company focuses on ADCs. It has an exclusive license agreement with the Max Delbrck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association in Berlin that includes a number of surface proteins found in multiple myeloma cells called B cell maturation antigen (BCMA).

Heidelberg Pharmas lead candidate targets BCMA and is currently advancing through the preclinical stage. It is an ADC that consists of a BCMA antibody, a specific linker, and the toxin amanitin, one of the deadliest toxins found in several mushroom species.

Founded in 2011, Austrian company Hookipa Pharma engineers arenaviruses to deliver tumor-specific genes to dendritic cells. Dendritic cells naturally activate killer T cells by delivering the tumor-specific antigens to them, which triggers an immune response. HOOKIPA Pharmas co-founder, Rolf Zinkernagel, actually received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1996 for his work on how killer T cells can recognize virus-infected cells.

Hookipas leading immuno-oncology therapy is currently progressing through phase I. In February 2019, the company closed a Series D financing round for 33.2M ($37.4M). The funding is being used to boost the clinical development of its immunotherapies for cancer and infectious diseases based on its proprietary arenavirus platform.

This French company develops antibody therapies to fight cancer. Marseille-based ImCheck has developed a pipeline of monoclonal antibodies that target specific checkpoint molecules of the butyrophilin (BTN) family, which engage gamma delta T cells. As part of the innate immune system, gamma delta T cells fight cancer cells naturally.

ImChecks lead drug candidate, an anti-BTN3 antibody that targets solid tumors, is expected to enter phase I in 2020. In order to fund this trial and further boost the development of immunotherapies, ImCheck closed a series B funding round in December 2019 worth 48M.

Immatics was founded in 2000 in Tbingen, Germany. The company develops personalized immuno-oncology therapies by engineering patient T cells to express TCRs, which specifically target the patients cancer. Unlike CAR-T therapies that generally target surface proteins, Immatics immunotherapy can also target proteins within cancer cells, which makes the cancer cells more vulnerable and accessible to the immune system.

In August 2019, American company Celgene and Immatics signed a deal worth more than 1.35B ($1.5B) to further develop its immuno-oncology therapies. In three cancer immunotherapy programs, Immatics will develop leading cell immunotherapy candidates for solid tumors, while Celgene has the option to co-develop the candidates or take over the development altogether.

Based in Oxfordshire, UK, and founded in 2008, Immunocore also focuses on TCRs. Its ImmTAC (immune mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer) technology is based on a new class of bi-specific biologics that can activate a specific T cell response in cancer cells.

In December 2019, Immunocore announced the start of the first-in-human clinical trial of its third bispecific, which was developed using the ImmTAC technology platform. Immunocore has collaborations with a number of partners, including AstraZeneca, Genentech, GSK, and Eli Lilli.

Medigene also focuses on TCRs. However, this company develops modified TCRs called TCR-Ts, as well as dendritic cell vaccines (DCs), and T cell-specific antibodies (TABs).

In January 2020, Medigene announced positive results after a two-year phase I/II for its DC vaccine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, its leading TCR-T candidate is currently being prepared for phase II clinical trials. Medigene was founded in 1994 in Martinsried, Germany.

As a neighbor of Medigene, MorphoSys is also based in Martinsried, Germany. It was founded in 1992. The company is one of the very few European biotechs valued at over 1B. MorphoSys develops antibody therapies for numerous conditions.

The companys lead immuno-oncology candidate tafasitamab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets CD19, an antigen mainly expressed by various B cell-derived blood cancers, such as non-Hodgkins lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This candidate is being co-commercialized by Imcyte. Other partners of MorphoSys include Novartis, Roche, GSK, and Roche.

Another company focusing on ADCs is NBE Therapeutics. This companys goal is to target solid tumors. Based in Basel, Switzerland, and founded in 2012, NBE Therapeutics has developed a technology that uses an enzyme to attach small molecule drugs to monoclonal antibodies. This approach is different from conventional ADCs that are usually generated using a chemical junction, which can be unstable at times.

The companys lead candidate, an ADC for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, lung, and ovarian cancer, is expected to reach phase I in 2020.

Images via Elena Resko & Shutterstock.com

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Meet 20 European Immuno-Oncology Companies that are Fighting... - Labiotech.eu

Michael Schumacher reportedly underwent breakthrough treatment; Here are details of the secret procedure – EconoTimes

Michael Schumacher turned 51 in January and as he became a year older, his fans are hoping that he is doing fine. Apparently, fans did not stop supporting him even if he not visible since his sustained massive brain injury due to a freak accident while he was skiing in December 2013.

A few weeks after the accident, Schumachers family refused to release information about the F1 champs health recovery. The family completely shut down the media so fans were deprived of information as to what is going on and any development in Schumis health. The secrecy went on for years and up to now, they remained secretive when it comes to the motorsport legends condition.

Secret treatment

It has been over six years since Micheal Schumacher had an accident and since then, some new treatments were developed. It was reported that the former sportsman tried out one of the latest procedures available today and it is called the stem cell treatment.

The Telegraph reported that Schumi was brought to Paris and admitted at the Georges-Pompidou hospital in September. The procedure was supposedly carried out by cardiovascular surgeon Philippe Menasch and it was said that one of the medical staff attested that Schumacher is conscious after the stem-cell procedure, a treatment dubbed as the pioneer in cell surgery."

It was said that Michael Schumacher stayed at the hospital for three days and on the last day, he was transported back to his home in Switzerland via ambulance. The question is - did he improved after the treatment?

How is he today?

As per The Daily Mail, even the surgeon who performed the procedure on Michael Schumacher said that he doesnt perform miracles. It appears he is saying that even though the treatment is considered a breakthrough in the medical field today, it may not work for everyone. With the racers condition, he may have developed some kind of complications that could have made his health situation worst and this treatment may have not affected Schumi as it should.

It is believed that Michael Schumacher is still paralyzed and being nursed on his bed. His movements are still limited and If there are improvements, perhaps, he could talk a bit and move some parts of his body like his head.

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Michael Schumacher reportedly underwent breakthrough treatment; Here are details of the secret procedure - EconoTimes

American Red Cross and American Cancer Society partner to inspire people to help patients and Give Blood to Give Time – NNY360

WEST HENRIETTA, NY Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nations blood supply. Thats why this February, the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time, ensuring loved ones have the strength and support to battle cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. An estimated 117,910 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in New York state this year. Many of these people will likely have a need for blood.

A loved ones cancer diagnosis often makes families and friends feel helpless. Thats why the Give Blood to Give Time partnership with the American Cancer Society is so important, said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer, American Red Cross. When someone donates blood or platelets or makes a financial gift, they are helping to give patients and their families time, resources and the hope they need to fight back.

Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the problem. Blood products are often needed. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the United States give blood. More people are needed to donate regularly to help meet the need.

The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story, said Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Individuals can honor their loved ones by making a blood donation appointment or financial contribution at GiveBloodToGiveTime.org.

In April 2015, Stephenie Perry was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma exactly 10 days before her commencement ceremony from graduate school. One week after commencement, treatments began. During chemotherapy and two stem cell transplants, she needed blood and platelet transfusions.

I dont even know how many units of blood Ive received, she said. But I know all of that blood came from selfless individuals who made the decision to make an appointment and donate.

Last February, Perry received the good news that her cancer is in remission. The next day, her then-boyfriend, Justin Perry, proposed to her just in time for Valentines Day. They talked about marriage while she battled cancer, but they wanted to wait until she was in remission. Justin Perry said he didnt want to go another day without asking her to marry him. They were married in September.

Her red blood cell counts still get low at times. When that happens, she goes in for another blood transfusion.

I think its safe to say that my successful battle with cancer depended upon complete strangers and their donated blood. For this, I am grateful, Stephenie Perry said. Sometimes I hear stories from friends about people who are scared of needles or afraid to donate blood. I wish I could stand face-to-face with those people and tell them there is nothing scary about saving a life a life like mine.

Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cayuga Community College Fulton Campus, 11 River Glen Dr.

Feb. 27, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Fulton Junior High school, 129 Curtis St.

Feb. 24, noon-5 p.m., Hannibal Town Hall, 824 County Route 34.

Feb. 21, noon-5 p.m., Minetto United Methodist Church, 2433 County Route 8.

Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Lowes, 445 State Route 104.

Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., University College at Oswego, 217 Hewitt Union.

Feb. 25, noon-5 p.m., United Baptist Church Scriba, 51111 NY 104.

Feb. 26, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., University College at Oswego, 217 Hewitt Union.

Feb. 24: 12:30-6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 358, 3350 Maple Ave.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nations blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit on Twitter at @RedCross.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to http://www.cancer.org.

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American Red Cross and American Cancer Society partner to inspire people to help patients and Give Blood to Give Time - NNY360