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Advantages of Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Sciencing

By Embryonic Stem Cells

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Advances in stem cell research offer hope to patients suffering from diseases and life-threatening ailments with no known cure. The special regenerative properties of embryonic stem cells give them the power to repair and replenish cells in the body. Scientists are studying how stem cell therapy could be used to restore functioning in damaged cells, tissues and organ systems.

Most cells in the human body are immutable and highly specialized. By contrast, all embryonic stem cells have the extraordinary ability to differentiate into any of the hundreds of specialized cells that comprise the human body. Harvested stem cells continue dividing in the lab for an extended period of time, providing an ongoing supply for research purposes. A small stem cell population can proliferate into millions of cells within months, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Three to five days after conception, a blastocyst forms. Under the right conditions, embryonic stem cells in the blastocyst have the capacity to become brain cells, nerve cells, skin cells, blood cells and more. Researchers use embryos from fertility clinics given by donors for research purposes.

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Adults possess a small number of stem cells in certain tissues, which can repair specific types of cells. For instance, adult hematopoietic stem cells in bone marrow regenerate blood cells; but, hematopoietic cells cant make new nerve cells. Scientists are studying the possibility of manipulating adult stem cells in the lab to make them more versatile.

An advantage of embryonic stem cells is that they are in better condition than adult stem cells. Somatic and stem cells in adults may have mutations from repeated division and exposure to environmental pollutants.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) suggests that stem cell therapies could help with treating many diseases and injuries. The ISSCR notes that thousands of children diagnosed with leukemia have been helped by blood stem cell treatments. Stems cells are also being used successfully for tissue grafts.

Stem cell research leads to safer and more effective stem cell therapies. A deeper understanding of how embryonic stem cells respond to different conditions could advance the study and treatment of birth defects, for example. The Mayo Clinic supports continued stem cell research because of the many advantageous ways that clinical trials further the medical field. Potential benefits include:

Stem cell therapy helps the body heal itself. Most cells in the human body have a very specific job to do within a particular organ. If cells die or malfunction, the body is capable of replenishing lost cells. Illness, organ failure and death can occur if the number of diseased and dying cells surpasses production of new cells.

Normal cells replicate many times over. Scientists are refining techniques that can jump-start healthy cell production. For example, implanting normal pancreatic cells into a patient with diabetes could restore the ability to produce insulin as the cells multiply.

Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are more versatile in research studies than adult stem cells. The potential benefits of embryo research include discovering new ways of treating diseases, injuries and organ failure. Embryonic stem cells can be manipulated in the lab to develop into any type of cell in the body. Embryo research helps scientists understand how to prevent injected stem cells from growing abnormally and causing tumors.

The use of human embryos for stem cell research has been vigorously discussed and emotionally debated. Destroying human embryos is a commonly raised concern, often based on religious beliefs. The Genetic Science Learning Center notes that embryonic stem cell research poses both moral and ethical questions, such as:

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research argue that embryos have rights because they hold the capacity to develop into a human being. However, the Hastings Center points out that 75 to 80 percent of embryos do not implant in the uterus and that many embryos from fertility clinics are poor quality and not capable of developing into a fetus. Also, donated embryos were scheduled for destruction before the donation was made.

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are vital to stem cell research because, as previously mentioned, hES cells are pluripotent, unlike other cells in the body. However, scientists are learning how to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from adult stem cells. Moreover, progress is being made in how to use a patients own stem cells to treat diseases. Alternatives to hES cells may reduce use of human embryonic stem cells.

Perinatal stem cells are another option. Perinatal stem cells have been discovered in umbilical cord blood and in amniotic fluid drawn during an amniocentesis procedure. More research is needed to determine how perinatal stem cells could be used in experimental studies and treatment.

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the pros of stem cell research include helping millions of people who suffer from debilitating conditions. For instance, stem cell therapies could potentially increase dopamine in the brains of those afflicted with Parkinsons disease. Stem cell research could also help restore functioning for patients with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, spinal cord injuries, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's and degenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges caution before participating in stem cell clinical studies or treatments not approved by the FDA. Claims that stem cell therapies offer a miracle cure are overstated, according to the FDA. Several adverse reactions are possible from emerging therapies that are relatively untested. For instance, in 2016 the FDA was informed of a patient who went blind after receiving an injection of stem cells for an eye condition.

Other FDA examples include:

Societal opinions on ethical issues related to rapidly advancing technologies like cloning and stem cell research influence public policy and government regulations. Former presidents of the U.S. have taken a political stance on the issue and changed regulations to align with the position of their political party. As of 2019, federal funding is available to fund embryonic stem cell research using new lines of cells. Previously, federal funding was limited to studies using a small number of existing embryonic cell lines.

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Advantages of Embryonic Stem Cell Research | Sciencing

ThriveMD | Colorado’s Experts in Stem Cells & Regenerative …

By Stem Cell Clinic

Zvezdomir Zamfirov

03:55 14 Nov 16

I am a pain management physician myself. I am 52, and physically very active. I still play soccer competitively. Six months ago I suffered a hip injury with a labrum tear. Due to the pre-existing wear and tear, the only conventional treatment, which was offered to me was total hip replacement. I wanted to remain physically active and continue to play sports, so I decided that this is not the best option for me. I choose instead to try stem-cell therapy. Ten days ago I had my procedure done by Dr. Brandt, and since then I have nothing but positive things to say about him and his practice. Everyone in his office was extremely welcoming and put me at ease and comfort about my procedure. The procedure went very smooth. And I did not have ANY post procedure pain or discomfort. I had no need for any pain medication. I was back to work seeing patients on the 2nd day after the procedure. My hip already feels noticeably better. I have the second procedure scheduled in four weeks, and I am confident that in another 3-4 weeks I'll be back playing soccer again. Thank you, Dr. Brandt and team for taking such excellent care of me.

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ThriveMD | Colorado's Experts in Stem Cells & Regenerative ...

Denver Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy

By Uncategorized

1. PRP Platelet Rich Plasma:Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections are derived form a sample of the patients own blood. These injections contain plasma with higher concentration platelets than what is normally found in blood. PRP injections attempt to take advantage of the bloods naturally healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or even bone.

2. Amniotic Allografts:is allograft tissue derived from the amniotic membrane and fluid. Placental tissue is donated by healthy mothers at the time of scheduled cesarean section. Expectant mothers submit their past medical and social history and a detailed risk assessment is performed. Ultimately, approval of the tissue for use is made by the Medical Director following an intensive and complete medical review and prenatal evaluation prior to delivery. This tissue is rich with the basic components necessary for tissue regeneration including: Growth Factors, Cytokines, Collagen, Fibrinogen, Hyaluronic Acid, Messenger RNA.

Key Characteristics: The extracellular matrix of the amniotic membrane contains a high concentration of cellular scaffolding, cytokines, growth factors and proteins.

Ref: Predictive Biotech

3. Umbilical Cord tissue/blood: this regenerative medicine product is derived from Umbilical Cord Tissue Donations. This product contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and is rich in growth factors from umbilical cord tissue. These tissues are obtained under informed consents and strict ethical protocols. These tissues are from safe, reliable hospital sources via a non-invasive, simple, and painless procedure.

Key Characteristics: Whartons Jelly is a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord that provides cushioning and support to the umbilical vein and arteries. The cushioning and protective elements from Whartons jelly consist of a network of structural proteins, pericytes, mesenchymal stem cells, cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. Ref: Predictive Biotech

Click here to view Cell Viability

4. Adipose tissue: Adipose-derived stem cells come from a patients fat tissue, which is surgically extracted via liposuction under general anesthesia.Adipose-derived stem cells are recognized as being an effective mesenchymal stem cell population with enormous potential in different fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Although there is unanimous agreement on the harvesting procedure for adipose tissue, there are various protocols for adipose-derived stem cell isolation.

5. Bone Marrow: Adult stem cells can be extracted from bone marrow by aspiration, typically from the superior iliac crest or the sternum. The bone marrow aspiration (BMA) procedure is a concentrated serum of your own cells, the procedure is considered autologous point-of-care, and we do not expand or manipulate the marrow product other than placing it in a centrifuge.

We use an array of different regenerative treatment options. Based on a thorough history, consultation and evaluation, recommendations will be given on best option for your specific condition.

Research

We encourage people to look into regenerative medicine. There are currently over 4,000 clinical trials being conducted worldwide. Go to clinicaltrials for more information.

Downtowns Healthcare continues to review research, and put into play the most cutting edge treatments to help those who are interested in regenerative medicine.

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Denver Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Therapy

Regenerative Potential Of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells …

By Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

1020 0 Posted on Mar 26, 2019, 9 p.m.

After the discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells in the Nobel Prize winning lab of researcher Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University in 2006, the thick morality lined clouds hovering over embryonic stem cell research began to fade away making room for happier times.

Stem cells harvested from adults cells rather than embryos are less controversial and hold some promise for practical benefits as well such as lower chance of rejection by the immune system as they can be created from the patients very own cells. iPSCs are a versatile tool which is proving to be useful in modeling disease, screening drugs, and holds massive promise in the field of regenerative medicine.

Osaka and Cardiff Universities explored how iPSCs may be able to restore vision in humans. Using stem cells they were able to generate multiple cells lineages that resulted in tissues being implanted into the eyes of rabbits with induced corneal blindness which repaired the organ and restored their vision. This demonstrates various types of human stem cells are able to take on characteristics of the cornea, lens, and retinas which paves the way for trials to explore the technology in humans. according to Professor Andrew Quantock.

Kyoto University researchers explored the idea of using iPSCs to arrest the slide in decline of dopamine which hampers motor skills in those with Parkinsons disease, using diseased monkey brains with cells converted into dopaminergic progenitors responsible for generating dopamine neurotransmitters. The research has gone so well they are now conducting human trials using the same technology; 7 Parkinsons disease patients were given 5 million iPSC derived dopaminergic progenitors which were transplanted directly into their brains with a special device in hopes that it will curtail effects of the disease. The patients are being closely monitored and observed over the next two years.

University of Minnesota researchers have created a cutting edge technology wherein cells can be converted into neural stem cells, which can be mixed and matched with alternating layers of silicon scaffold to be used to grow new connections in the spine between the nerves that remain in spinal cord injury. In lab testing this technology was found to grow nerves and connect undamaged separated cells. Testing showed new neurons could be grown in an injury site, however the work is still a way off in doing so in numbers that would allow a paralyzed human to walk again. Even with that being said partial repairing of the spinal cord could still improve functions such as bladder control, avoid involuntary movement of limbs, and improve quality of life which is still plenty reason to be excited.

Washington University research has made a breakthrough with a method of converting iPSCs into beta cells which were tested by implanting into diabetic mice incapable of producing insulin on their own. The animals began secreting insulin on their own within days in quantities sufficient to control their own blood sugar levels which functionally cured their condition.

Following the successful trials on pigs in 2017 the Japanese government has recently approved the first ever trial on humans wherein iPSCs are being used to create sheets bearing millions of heart muscle cells which are then grafted onto the heart of human patients with heart disease. It is hoped with the help of growth factors these sheets will promote regeneration of damaged muscles and improve the function of the heart. This first of its kind trial involves 3 patients, if all goes well the team hopes to have a larger trial with 10 patients, followed by commercial availability of the technique if all goes according to plan.

There is no shortage of research into male pattern baldness, recently we are being shown how stem cells may play a role in hair revival, such as wherein scientists had converted iPSCs into epithelial stem cells which gave rise to hair follicle on the skin of immunodeficient mice. Another technique coaxed iPSCs into the form of dermal papilla cells which were transplanted into mice which triggered new hair growth. Research from the University of Southern California harvested skin cells from adults, molecular events behind their growth was examined and then replicated in iPSCs to grow new hair follicles in mice.

iPSCs are opening up a diverse array of exciting new medical possibilities. At only 13 years of discovery this very well is likely just the tip of the iceberg of many wonderful things to come. What a great time this could be for the future of the entire medical field and the possibility of regenerative medicine.

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Regenerative Potential Of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ...

Nutrition : The Addiction Recovery Guide

By Gene Therapy Clinics

In dealing with the chemical imbalances that are both a cause of substance abuse and a result of long-term substance addiction, nutritional therapy can be helpful in several ways.

Food and Addiction

Radiant Recovery (radiantrecovery.com/resourcecenter/alcdrug.html) This site was developed by Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD., the author of Potatoes not Prozac which charts the relationship between sugar addiction and alcoholism. It includes resources related to substance addiction plus an online program to help people deal with sugar addiction. There is also an online forum and a series of Internet-based two-week classes for $24.95 each which deal with various aspects of addiction including brain chemistry. Out-patient treatment based on this approach is also available in Albuquerque (call 505 345-3737 for further information).

Intravenous Amino Acids

Agora Regeneration Clinics (agoraforlife.net) Based in Vancouver, BC, this outpatient program focuses on biochemical detoxification of the body and brain. It includes Amino Acid IV Therapy, a Naturopathic physical work-up, infrared sauna detoxification, auricular acupuncture, massage therapy and the Agora For Life Program which deals with the emotional and mental aspects of addiction. The 10 day intensive program costs $9,800 (plus GST) and the 15 day intensive costs $13,500 (plus GST). Both program fees include the Agora for Life Aftercare program.

Nutritional Supplements, Vitamins and Herbs

Nutritional supplements such as herbs, amino acids (see chart below), vitamins and other nutrients restore the proper biochemical balance in the brain.

Supplements, vitamins and herbs can be purchased online through various websites such as Vitacost.com, iHerb.com, Swansonvitamins.com, Luckyvitamin.com, evitamins.com and Vitamin Shoppe.

Books on Nutrition

End Your Addiction Now: The Proven Nutritional Supplement Program That Can Set You Free by Charles Gant and Greg Lewis, published by Square One (2009) can be purchased at amazon.com. Nutritional supplements such as herbs, amino acids (see chart below), vitamins and other nutrients restore the proper biochemical balance in the brain. These supplements are specified, according to your addiction, in an excellent book written by Charles Gant, MD, PhD, who has helped over 7,500 patients with his innovative nutritional program designed to help people addicted to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or pain medication.

In addition, eliminating certain substances such as sugars and simple starches and increasing protein intake can help to rebalance brain chemistry. Good nutrition can also help heal damage to the body caused by the depletion of nutrients common in substance abuse.

Natural Highs by Hyla Cass M.D. and Patrick Holford published by Avery Books/Penguin Putnam in 2002 can be purchased at amazon.com. This book usefully reviews and gives specific doses of herbs, amino acids, nutritional supplements and foods that help a person have a sharp mind and feel happy, calm, energetic and connected to people. The main tips from this book including specific doses of herbs and amino acids can be found at cassmd.com/books/naturalhighs/.

Another helpful book which has benefited many people with its nutritional advice is Seven Weeks To Sobriety: The Proven Program to Fight Alcoholism Through Nutrition by Joan Mathew Larson Ph.D. This book can also be purchased at amazon.com.

To Find a Nutritionist:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (eatright.org) Some people may decide to work directly with a nutritionist. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics web site can help you locate a nutritionist. This is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Click on the red Find an Expert button at the top of the page to locate dietitians in the United States by zip code. Descriptions include areas of practice or specialty for each dietitian.

AMINO ACID NUTRITION THERAPY

Another important area of the use of nutrition in recovery and relapse prevention is the addition of appropriate amino acids that serve as the building blocks for powerful chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters, including epinephrine and norepinephrine, GABA, serotonin and dopamine, are closely tied to addiction behavior. With the use of various amino acids, brain chemistry can be changed to help normalize and restore deficiencies in the neurotransmitters that spur cravings that can lead to addiction andrelapse.

This chart was originally published in the following article. Blum K, Ross J, Reuben C, Gastelu D, Miller DK. "Nutritional Gene Therapy: Natural Healing in Recovery. Counselor Magazine, January/February, 2001

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Nutrition : The Addiction Recovery Guide

Platelet Rich Plasma | Medford | Ashland | Southern Oregon

By Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

What is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a specially prepared sample of your blood in which all of the red blood cells (RBCs) have been removed and the platelets are concentrated to between 5-10 times that found in normally circulating blood. Platelets are the cells that circulate in your blood and will immediately identify and stick to any injured area in a blood vessel. They then create an immediate seal wherever there is a disruption of the vessel, and release proteins that start the tissue regeneration and healing. PRP can be used to promote healing in any area requiring a jump start in the bodys ability to heal injuries. PRP therefore is similar to other Regenerative Injection Therapies (RIT) such as Prolotherapy.

A syringe of your blood is drawn and placed in a machine called a centrifuge, which spins the blood to separate the platelets from the other blood components. The concentrated platelet fraction will then be extracted and prepared for injection into the injured area. The platelet concentrate is injected directly into the involved tissues. The platelets then become activated in that area and help your body to begin the healing process. Sometimes other boosters such as Stem Cells or Growth Factors can be mixed with the PRP for an even more robust response.

You should come to the procedure well rested and well hydrated. If you take any blood thinners or anti-inflammatory medications, be sure to discuss with Dr. Greenberg in advance whether these should be withheld for a period of time before the injection. Similar to other RIT treatments, such as Prolotherapy, it may take as long as a month to feel results of the procedure. You may experience pain after the procedure the first 48 hours this is the inflammatory phase. It is safe to apply ice or take Tylenol as instructed. It will then be necessary to evaluate your bodys response to the procedure to determine if repeat treatments are required for more complete relief.

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Platelet Rich Plasma | Medford | Ashland | Southern Oregon

Platelet Rich Plasma PRP injections for Plantar Fasciitis

By Platelet Rich Plasma Injections

Platelet rich plasma therapy (abbreviated as PRP) is a regenerative treatment for Plantar Fasciitis that consists on the injection of your own platelets to trigger the bodys natural repair and regeneration processes. PRP is effective in the treatment of several musculoskeletal conditions, including injury of tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. PRP injections have been replacing traditional surgery for many orthopedic conditions ranging from soft tissue injuries (tendonitis, ligament injuries, muscle tears) to joint disorders, such as a meniscus tear or mild to moderate joint arthritis.

PRP therapy takes advantage of the fact that platelets have an important role in the process of wound and soft tissue healing, particularly when inflammation has developed. PRP therapy requires only a small amount of your own blood. This sample is centrifuged to obtain a fraction that has a high concentration of activated plateletsthe platelet rich plasma fraction. The PRP is then injected into the injured tissue to promote its healing.

The administration of these activated platelets causes a local response that promotes healing and regeneration. This treatment exerts beneficial effects through several mechanisms. These include:

We perform this procedure using ultrasound imaging to guide the injection. Ultrasound guidance increases the accuracy of the PRP administration, which may decrease pain following the procedure. We also use light activation to increase the efficacy of our platelets, which may also reduce any discomfort you may feel after the procedure. In general, PRP therapy requires only one session, but depending on the clinical characteristics of your Plantar Fasciitis, additional injections may be needed.

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Platelet Rich Plasma PRP injections for Plantar Fasciitis

10 talks on the future of stem cell medicine | TED Blog

By Stem Cell Medicine

Health TED Talks

Will the next generation think about diseases like Alzheimers and diabetes the way we think about polio and the whooping cough? Susan Solomon, the co-founder of the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), certainly hopes so. In this fascinating talk from TEDGlobal 2012, Solomon delves into the foundations work on research with stem cells, which she calls the black boxes for diseases.

[Stem cells] are our bodies own repair kits. They are pluripotent, which means they can morph into all of the cells in our bodies, says Solomon. Right now there are some really extraordinary things that we are doing with stem cells that are completely changing the way we model disease, our ability to understand why we get sick and even develop drugs. But this field has been under siege, politically and financially.

While much of the fray is about embryonic stem cells still the gold standard when it comes to cells Solomon explains that another type of pluripotent stem cell (called iPS cells) can now be created by, essentially, reprogramming skin cells. These cells hold great promise for allowing researchers to see how diseases develop in humans, rather than in rodents.

Currently, developing a drug takes an average of 13 years, costs $4 billion, and has a 99% failure rate. And because its impossible to test a new drug on a large and representative sample of the human population, even a drug that tests well with many people will have side-effects for others, based on their genetic makeup. This is a problem thats sometimes not apparent until the drug is on the market and being prescribed to patients like in the tragic case of Vioxx.

Thats a terrible business model, but also is a horrible social model,she says. The way weve been developing drugs is essentially like going into a shoe store and no one asking what size you are They just say, Well, you have feet. Here are shoes.

From the TEDGlobal stage, Solomon outlined an exciting new approachher team at NYSCF has developed a machine that creates stem cell lines that, until now, had to be crafted by hand. NYSCF expects to produce 2,500 stem cell lines by the end of the year. The idea is to eventually produce a comprehensive array of 25,000 stem cell lines which act like avatars for a wide sample of people that researchers would have access to as they test new drugs.This could help avoid disasters and also let people know ahead of time of what side-effects they, specifically, can expect with a given medicine.

Two months after her talk, Solomon tells the TED Blog that interest in NYSCF work is growing. Pointing to a recent article in The New York Times about how future lung cancer treatments could be tailored to individuals, Solomon said, Its really the leading edge of where this field is going.

But Solomon stressed that it will be extremely difficult to change the current systems of drug development.

All the established companies have been using mouse-and-rodent testing forever, she said. A lot of peoples careers are staked to a method that is outdated. Its like the tech sector; this is really the high-tech sector for biomedical research.

To hear more about the NYSCF, watch Solomons talk. Below, watch 9 more talks about the incredible promise of stem cells.

Susan Lim: Transplant cells, not organsAs a woman, surgeon Susan Lim had to fight for the right to perform the first liver transplant in Asia. But she began to question the morality of such work given that with donor organs in such short supply many are coerced or forced to donate. Lim began looking at another approach: transplanting cells, rather than organs. In this talk, given at the INK Conference, she describes her work with adult stem cells derived from fat.

Daniel Kraft invents a better way to harvest bone marrowPediatrician and stem cell researcher Daniel Kraft has created a device to collect bone marrow in a way that is far less painful for both the patient and the doctor. In this talk from TED2009, Kraft shows how the stem cells found in this marrow could be used to treat heart disease and Parkinsons.

Eva Vertes: Do stem cells cause cancer?Microbiology prodigy Eva Vertes was 19 years old when she spoke at TED2005 about a theory that cancer might be a repair response to damaged stem cells in the lungs, liver, bones, etc. The implication she is testing? Its possible, although far-fetched, that in the future we could think of cancer being used as a therapy.

Alan Russell: The potential of regenerative medicineNot for the squeamish, in this talk from TED2006, medical futurist Alan Russell shows a video of stem cells being removed from a patients hip and injected directly into their heart and how this procedure has gotten much more precise over a short time. Such cell regeneration therapies will keep improving, Russell says.

Noel Bairey Merz: The single biggest health threat women faceWhile heart disease is often thought of as a male disease, Noel Bairey Merz explains that it is actually the biggest killer of women. In this talk from TEDxWomen 2011, Merz gives a call to arms for women to think of heart disease in the same way we do breast cancer, and talks about some exciting possibilities for treatment, including stem cell therapy.

Daniel Kraft: Medicines future? Theres an app for thatKraft, chair of the FutureMed program at Singularity University, talks about some of the big innovations coming down the pipeline in medicine. Near the end of this talk given at TEDxMaastricht, Kraft talks about cancer stem cells and how understanding them could lead to an era of personalized oncology the ability to leverage all of this data together, analyze the tumor and come up with a real, specific cocktail for the individual patient.

Juan Enriquez: The next species of humanFuturist Juan Enriquez believes that some big changes are coming, and that the next generation of humans could potentially be considered a different species. Why? In this talk from TED2009, he looks at the ability to engineer both cells and tissue, and describes some shocking ways researchers are using stem cells.

Kevin Stone: The bio-future of joint replacementArthritis affects more adults than cancer, says Kevin Stone in this talk from TED2010. While therapies using human tissue have been very promising in helping joint damage, there simply isnt enough donor tissue to go around. Stone explains a process which uses cartilage from a pig, loaded with a persons own stem cells, to ease pain and immobility.

Iain Hutchison: Saving facesIn this talk from TEDGlobal 2010 which contains some images of badly injured and disfigured faces that may be disturbing facial surgeon Iain Hutchison gives a look at his groundbreaking work. Towards the end of the talk, he describes an promising area of research tissue engineering which uses a patients own stem cells, taken from their hip, to help heal facial damage.

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10 talks on the future of stem cell medicine | TED Blog

Adult Stem Cell Therapy Is A Resounding Healing Success, So …

By Adult Stem Cells

Adult stem cell therapy is enjoying widespread success around the world, but if the FDA gets its way, it may soon be banned here in the U.S....

There have been nearly 12,000 adult stem cell therapies performed in the United States with an over 90 percent success healing rate for mostly joint and spinal conditions. It involves using the patients own stem cells, so no patent-able drugs are involved.

They are targeting the most influential stem cell scientist in the U.S., Dr. Kristin Comella in Florida.

Differentiating the Types of Stem Cell Therapy

They could be considered seeds for growing body tissues. They are mostly able to function for cellular repair and growth no matter what organ is in need of repair or healing from chronic inflammation.

There is a considerable controversy surrounding stem cell therapy research, a branch of regenerative medicine. Much of the controversy has to do with not differentiating between adult stem cell therapy and embryonic stem cell therapy.

Read: Scientists Discover That Fasting Triggers Stem Cell Regeneration & Fights Cancer

Embryonic stem cell therapy is the controversial one. It cultures or creates stem cells from terminated or aborted fetuses.

Currently, the FDA is harassing stem cell clinics that do not derive their stem cell solutions from aborted fetus tissue. They extract the stem cells from the patients own adipose tissue and inject them into areas where that same patient needs repair. Its an autologous process called adult stem cell therapy.

U.S. Stem Cell based out of South Florida is one of the clinics being targeted by the FDA, and the clinics Chief Scientist is Dr. Kristin Comella, PhD.

Many other nations have been using adult stem cell therapy successfully over the past 15 years, leaving the USA dead last in this field. The FDA is trying to make sure it stays that way and allows costly pharmaceutical versions to prevail.

Dr. Kristin Comella and her clinic have been under attack from the FDA.

This short 3-minute video was produced interviewing Dr. Comella and some of her patients.

Examining and Comparing the Different Types of Stem Cell Therapy

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) therapy has received most of the medias attention and government support. But it is the most controversial because it involves extracting tissues from terminated human embryos, aka aborted fetuses.

In addition to moral and ethical issues, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) solutions create cells so rapidly where theyre injected they lead to cancerous tumors. To avoid that, researchers have to use immuno-suppressant drugs to curb the embryonic stem cells tendency toward cancer.

Using pharmaceutical drugs to curb hESC cancer side effect issues leads to other unexplored and unexpected side effects from those patented stem cell solutions.

But the profit motive for embryonic stem cell therapies was strong and a lot of government funds had been put into its research. Pharmaceutical companies were motivated because they could patent stem cells created from embryonic tissues.

Bone marrow stem cell therapy was among the first to depart from flawed hESC (human embryonic stem cell) therapies developed over the past two decades. Bone marrow stem cell therapy was the segue into the adult stem cell therapy movement.

Bone marrow extractions are painful, requiring general anesthesia. Its relatively difficult and expensive compared to adipose (fat) tissue stem cell harvesting.

Bone marrows high white blood cell count also encourages inflammation, making it counter-productive for patients already suffering from chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders.

Most importantly, adipose (fat) tissue yields up to 500 times more mesenchymal stem cells than bone marrow sources, according to Dr. Comella. These are potent stem cells that can differentiate into a wide variety of other cell types. Furthermore, the adipose white blood cell count is lower than bone marrow matter.

Overactive, confused immune responses attack organs continually and create chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The lower white blood cell count automatically lowers the risk of further inflammation among patients already suffering from chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

The outpatient treatment involves creating a very small and shallow incision that wont require stitches on an area of skin covering adipose tissue (fat). From there, liposuction can withdraw a portion of the fat. This part of the procedure requires only a local anesthetic.

Then what is extracted is spun at high speed in a special centrifuge to isolate the stem cells which are then purified for IV drip delivery or injection into the same patient from whom it was extracted. Total costs range from five to ten thousand dollars or more in some cases.

Dr. Comella and her colleagues mission is to get adult stem cell therapy available for everyone. Private and government health insurance providers cover medical treatments that are much more expensive.

Why not cover one that would save money with its lower expense and fewer side effects?

Over the years, there have been nearly 12,000 adult stem cell therapies performed in the United States with an over 90 percent success healing rate for mostly joint and spinal conditions as well as heart and lung issues.

But the three known adverse side effect cases continually get all the media attention.

The Panama College of Cell Science, which helped launch Kristin Comellas research and development, had this to say about her:

"Perhaps the most influential clinician on the subject of adult stem cell therapy, Dr. Comella has been able to quietly develop patient treatment protocols and treat patients via collaborating physicians and health care providers using legal patient-specific FDA guidelines, including studies permitted by Institutional Review Boards, patient-specific stem cell clinical trials, and direct treatments using the patients own stem cells that are harvested and re-injected for therapeutic purposes.

"Through Dr. Comellas leadership, she and her team have trained and certified more than 700 physicians worldwide in adult stem cell therapy." (Source)

The interview below allows the energetic Dr. Kristin Comella to give a thorough and upbeat description of adult stem cell therapy.

Big Pharma Is Using the FDA to Eliminate Unregulated Adult Stem Cell Competition

Since the late 1990s, adult stem cells used therapeutically were not under the control of the FDA and the adult stem cell movement took off.

There were complaints from some MDs that the adult stem cell practice should be regulated by the FDA. The Panama College of Cell Science responded to those outcries with this statement:

"The motive in opposing adult stem cell therapy is money. The big institutions want to keep federal funding of embryonic stem cell research at a high level with the promise that cures are just around the corner despite the fact that embryonic stem cells will never be useful in any way for patient treatment because they immediately cause tumors when transplanted." (Source)

Adult stem cell therapy is an autologous treatment method. The stem cells are not lab-created. They are only isolated and purified after extracting them from the patient being treated. Injecting them back into that patient powers up the bodys own healing mechanism to overcome chronic ailments.

The FDA didnt and shouldnt have anything to do with regulating stem cells from ones own body. That situation has recently been arbitrarily and suddenly changed.

Around 2014, the FDA started tweaking their guidance rules for stem cell therapy with the purpose of getting new rules made into laws through Congress that could be interpreted according to FDA whims and enforced arbitrarily. Their agenda is to consider adult stem cells as FDA-regulated drugs.

During our phone conversation, Dr. Comella explained how the FDA ignored testimonies from adult stem cell practitioners during their 2015 public hearings regarding new guideline proposals. Then they arranged to create new rules behind closed door meetings that included pharmaceutical industry allies and insiders.

The result was that by 2017, the FDAs hands-off policy with adult stem cell therapy came to a sudden halt after years of highly successful stem cell practice.

By 2018, the FDA got nastier with the the most influential clinician on the subject of adult stem cell therapy as its target. The FDA started doing inspections of Dr. Comellas South Florida clinic that are designed for labs that manufacture drugs.

The standards for hospitals and clinics are not as strict as drug manufacturers. Those inspections were inappropriate for a clinic. But those inspections made it easier to create damaging reports.

When the inspectors came by, they demanded to go into rooms while treatments were taking place with semi-nude or nude patients, which Dr. Comella prohibited. The inspectors also demanded to view patient medical records. She allowed that after redacting their names on the copies she gave them.

For her actions to protect patients privacy, inspectors allegedly cited Dr. Comella for resisting and obstructing FDA inspections.

Soon after the inspections, the FDA served Dr. Comella with a lawsuit for practicing medicine with unapproved drugs. The drugs were only those stem cell solutions drawn from patients to be used on them.

The FDA has allegedly offered to drop the lawsuit if Dr. Comella signed an agreement to stop doing adult stem cell therapy and no longer promote it.

She refused. She said she has witnessed people leave their wheelchairs for good from this therapy. The trial is set for a Federal Court hearing beginning June 2019, in Miami, Florida.

If Dr. Comella loses this court case, adult stem cell therapy in the USA may be forced out of the country and only be available to those who can afford medical tourism.

Reference: HealthImpactNews.com

Here is the original post:
Adult Stem Cell Therapy Is A Resounding Healing Success, So ...

FDA Wants to Shut Down Adult Stem Cell Therapy as its Healing …

By Adult Stem Cells

by Paul Fassa Health Impact News

Adult stem cell therapy is enjoying widespread success around the world, but if the FDA gets its way, it may soon be banned here in the U.S.

There have been nearly 12,000 adult stem cell therapies performed in the United States with an over 90 percent success healing rate for mostly joint and spinal conditions. It involves using the patients own stem cells, so no patent-able drugs are involved.

They are targetingthe most influential stem cell scientist in the U.S., Dr.Kristin Comella in Florida.

Many consider stem cell therapy the future of medicine. A stem cell can rebuild or create new cells in tissues, even in organ tissues other than those from which they had originally existed.

They could be considered seeds for growing body tissues. They are mostly able to function for cellular repair and growth no matter what organ is in need of repair or healing from chronic inflammation.

There is a considerable controversy surrounding stem cell therapy research, a branch ofregenerative medicine. Much of the controversy has to do with not differentiating between adult stem cell therapy and embryonic stem cell therapy.

Embryonic stem cell therapy is the controversial one. It cultures or creates stem cells from terminated or aborted fetuses.

Currently, the FDA is harassing stem cell clinics that do not derive their stem cell solutions from aborted fetus tissue. They extract the stem cells from the patients own adipose tissue and inject them into areas where that same patient needs repair. Its an autologous process called adult stem cell therapy.

U.S. Stem Cell based out of South Florida is one of the clinics being targeted by the FDA, and the clinics Chief Scientist isDr. Kristin Comella, PhD.

Many other nations have been using adult stem cell therapy successfully over the past 15 years, leaving the USA dead last in this field. The FDA is trying to make sure it stays that way and allows costly pharmaceutical versions to prevail.

Dr. Kristin Comellaand her clinichave been under attack from theFDA.

This short 3-minute video was produced interviewing Dr. Comella and some of her patients.

Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) therapy has received most of the medias attention and government support. But it is the most controversial because it involves extracting tissues from terminated human embryos, aka aborted fetuses.

In addition to moral and ethical issues, human embryonic stem cell (hESC) solutions create cells so rapidly where theyre injected they lead to cancerous tumors. To avoid that, researchers have to use immuno-suppressant drugs to curb the embryonic stem cells tendency toward cancer.

Using pharmaceutical drugs to curb hESC cancer side effect issues leads to other unexplored and unexpected side effects from those patented stem cell solutions.

But the profit motive for embryonic stem cell therapies was strong and a lot of government funds had been put into its research. Pharmaceutical companies were motivated because they could patent stem cells created from embryonic tissues.

Bone marrow stem cell therapy was among the first to depart from flawed hESC (human embryonic stem cell) therapies developed over the past two decades.Bone marrow stem cell therapy was the segue into the adult stem cell therapy movement.

Bone marrow extractions are painful, requiring general anesthesia. Its relatively difficult and expensive compared to adipose (fat) tissue stem cell harvesting.

Bone marrows high white blood cell count also encourages inflammation, making it counter-productive for patients already suffering from chronic inflammation or autoimmune disorders.

Most importantly, adipose (fat) tissue yields up to 500 times more mesenchymal stem cells than bone marrow sources, according to Dr. Comella. These are potent stem cells that can differentiate into a wide variety of other cell types. Furthermore, the adipose white blood cell count is lower than bone marrow matter.

Overactive, confused immune responses attack organs continually and create chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The lower white blood cell count automatically lowers the risk of further inflammation among patients already suffering from chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

The outpatient treatment involves creating a very small and shallow incision that wont require stitches on an area of skin covering adipose tissue (fat). From there, liposuction can withdraw a portion of the fat. This part of the procedure requires only a local anesthetic.

Then what is extracted is spun at high speed in a special centrifuge to isolate the stem cells which are then purified for IV drip delivery or injection into the same patient from whom it was extracted. Total costs range from five to ten thousand dollars or more in some cases.

Dr. Comella and her colleagues mission is to get adult stem cell therapy available for everyone. Private and government health insurance providers cover medical treatments that are much more expensive.

Why not cover one that would save money with its lower expense and fewer side effects?

Over the years, there have been nearly 12,000 adult stem cell therapies performed in the United States with an over 90 percent success healing rate for mostly joint and spinal conditions as well as heart and lung issues.

But the three known adverse side effect cases continually get all the media attention.

The Panama College of Cell Science, which helped launch Kristin Comellas research and development, had this to say about her:

Perhaps the most influential clinician on the subject of adult stem cell therapy, Dr. Comella has been able to quietly develop patient treatment protocols and treat patients via collaborating physicians and health care providers using legal patient-specific FDA guidelines, including studies permitted by Institutional Review Boards, patient-specific stem cell clinical trials, and direct treatments using the patients own stem cells that are harvested and re-injected for therapeutic purposes.

Through Dr. Comellas leadership, she and her team have trained and certifiedmore than 700 physicians worldwide in adult stem cell therapy. (Source)

The interview below allows the energetic Dr. Kristin Comella to give a thorough and upbeat description of adult stem cell therapy.

Since the late 1990s, adult stem cells used therapeutically were not under the control of the FDA and the adult stem cell movement took off.

There were complaints from some MDs that the adult stem cell practice should be regulated by the FDA. The Panama College of Cell Science responded to those outcries with this statement:

The motive in opposing adult stem cell therapy is money. The big institutions want to keep federal funding of embryonic stem cell research at a high level with the promise that cures are just around the corner despite the fact that embryonic stem cells will never be useful in any way for patient treatment because they immediately cause tumors when transplanted. (Source)

Adult stem cell therapy is an autologous treatment method. The stem cells are not lab-created. They are only isolated and purified after extracting them from the patient being treated. Injecting them back into that patient powers up the bodys own healing mechanism to overcome chronic ailments.

The FDA didnt and shouldnt have anything to do with regulating stem cells from ones own body. That situation has recently been arbitrarily and suddenly changed.

Around 2014, the FDA started tweaking their guidance rules for stem cell therapy with the purpose of getting new rules made into laws through Congress that could be interpreted according to FDA whims and enforced arbitrarily. Their agenda is to consider adult stem cells as FDA-regulated drugs.

During our phone conversation, Dr. Comella explained how the FDA ignored testimonies from adult stem cell practitioners during their 2015 public hearings regarding new guideline proposals. Then they arranged to create new rules behind closed door meetings that included pharmaceutical industry allies and insiders.

The result was that by 2017, the FDAs hands-off policy with adult stem cell therapy came to a sudden halt after years of highly successful stem cell practice.

By 2018, the FDA got nastier with the the most influential clinician on the subject of adult stem cell therapy as its target. The FDA started doing inspections of Dr. Comellas South Florida clinic that aredesigned for labs that manufacture drugs.

The standards for hospitals and clinics are not as strict as drug manufacturers. Those inspections were inappropriate for a clinic. But those inspectionsmade it easier to create damaging reports.

When the inspectors came by, they demanded to go into rooms while treatments were taking place with semi-nude or nude patients, which Dr. Comella prohibited. The inspectors also demanded to view patient medical records. She allowed that after redacting their names on the copies she gave them.

For her actions to protect patients privacy, inspectors allegedly cited Dr. Comella for resisting and obstructing FDA inspections.

Soon after the inspections, the FDA served Dr. Comella with a lawsuit for practicing medicine with unapproved drugs. The drugs were only those stem cell solutions drawn from patients to be used on them.

The FDA has allegedly offered to drop the lawsuit if Dr. Comella signed an agreement to stop doing adult stem cell therapy and no longer promote it.

She refused. She said she has witnessed people leave their wheelchairs for good from this therapy. The trial is set for a Federal Court hearing beginning June 2019, in Miami, Florida.

If Dr. Comella loses this court case, adult stem cell therapy in the USA may be forced out of the country and only be available to those who can affordmedical tourism.

Published on March 11, 2019

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