New Treatment for Sickle Cell Brings Hope and a Cure to Chicago Area Patients

Newswise Two brothers have been cured of their sickle cell disease at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System using a relatively uncommon type of stem cell transplant that is performed without chemotherapy.

Their transplants were possible thanks to a third brother who was a match for both, against long odds.

Julius and Desmond Means never imagined life without sickle cell. The brothers, ages 25 and 19, have spent their lives in and out of hospitals, each suffering from different complications of the disease.

Growing up, they tired easily and couldn't keep up with their friends. As they grew older, the disease caused bone damage and affected Julius's lungs. Desmond's organs were also being damaged, and he was jaundiced.

For either young man to receive a transplant, a healthy sibling who is a compatible donor was needed. An acceptable match requires that at least eight of 10 known human leukocyte antigen (H.L.A.) genes be identical between donor and recipient.

Julius and Desmond's healthy older brother Clifford, 27, matched 10 of 10 H.L.A. genes with both of them -- an occurrence of "extremely low" likelihood, according to Dr. Damiano Rondelli, director of stem-cell transplantation at UI Health. The men's mother, Beverly Means, also noted the good fortune.

"I had won the lottery of health," she said.

In preparation for the transplant, Clifford was given medication to increase the number of stems cells released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. His blood was then processed through a machine that collects white cells, including stem cells. The stem cells were frozen until the transplants.

Last May, Julius received his transplant at UI Hospital. He was given medication to suppress his immune system and one small dose of total body radiation right before the transplant. Then the frozen bags of stem cells were thawed and hung by IV pole for infusion into him.

Then in September, Desmond received his stem cell transplant.

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New Treatment for Sickle Cell Brings Hope and a Cure to Chicago Area Patients

Can we trust your doctor? – Video

Can we trust your doctor?
http://www.rejuvenare.com 1 888-988-5456 Many people who feel that stem cell therapy is the answer they have been searching for are concerned that, as of today, they need to travel for the simple procedure and they are unsure of the level of treatment they will receive. Recently the former head of a multi-national pharmaceutical company turned to Rejuvenare for help with the debilitating effects of Parkinson #39;s disease. In this short video clip - you will see the interview with his son and wife on their impression of the level of care their loved one received. This interview was done 2 days after the procedure. The improvement to their family member was apparent within hours - although they were all a little tired, they were also appreciative... Are you or someone you know a candidate for adult stem cell therapy? Visit http or call 888-988-5456 to find out.

By: Carlo Velarde

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Can we trust your doctor? - Video

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy – Video

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy He is a known case of Myotonic MD with history of gradual onset of progressive lower extremities muscle weakness since age of 25 years. He also has history of delayed milestones. His weakness is progressive in nature. He falls while walking so walks with human support only. He has complaints of early fatigue and slurred speech due to tongue hypertrophy. He has atrophy of proximal muscles of all extremities. He has modified independence in almost all ADL. Neurologically, hypotonic, hyporeflexic. On examination: lower limb distal muscles are 0/5 on MMT while proximal muscles are having 2++/5 on MMT. Upper extremities left side proximal muscles are 1++/5 while right side proximal muscles are 3 #713;/5, distal muscles are 3++/5 in upper extremities. Functionally, modified independence in all ADL. On FIM he scores 99. After Stem Cell Treatment 1. His face looks more fresh. 2. His neck used to fall back previously but now he can control his neck well in each movement. 3. Back muscle strength has improved. 4. Bridging is better now. He can lift his back more up now which he couldn #39;t do at all. 5. His stamina has improved. 6. His shoulder strength has improved. Shoulder shrugging is better now. Active shoulder flexion, range of motion is more now. 7. Side lying to sitting he can do without any support which was not possible before. 8. Drooling of saliva from mouth in night is completely stopped. 9. His legs used ...

By: neurogenbsi

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Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy – Video

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy He is a known case of Myotonic MD with history of gradual onset of progressive lower extremities muscle weakness since age of 25 years. He also has history of delayed milestones. His weakness is progressive in nature. He falls while walking so walks with human support only. He has complaints of early fatigue and slurred speech due to tongue hypertrophy. He has atrophy of proximal muscles of all extremities. He has modified independence in almost all ADL. Neurologically, hypotonic, hyporeflexic. On examination: lower limb distal muscles are 0/5 on MMT while proximal muscles are having 2++/5 on MMT. Upper extremities left side proximal muscles are 1++/5 while right side proximal muscles are 3 #713;/5, distal muscles are 3++/5 in upper extremities. Functionally, modified independence in all ADL. On FIM he scores 99. After Stem Cell Treatment 1. His face looks more fresh. 2. His neck used to fall back previously but now he can control his neck well in each movement. 3. Back muscle strength has improved. 4. Bridging is better now. He can lift his back more up now which he couldn #39;t do at all. 5. His stamina has improved. 6. His shoulder strength has improved. Shoulder shrugging is better now. Active shoulder flexion, range of motion is more now. 7. Side lying to sitting he can do without any support which was not possible before. 8. Drooling of saliva from mouth in night is completely stopped. 9. His legs used ...

By: neurogenbsi

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Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Alternatives to knee replacement… fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair – Video

Alternatives to knee replacement... fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair
http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment.com In our series on alternatives to knee replacement, let #39;s go over some of the growth factors needed for cartilage growth and maintenance... let #39;s talk about Fibroblast growth factor Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are proteins that play a major role in the development of normal cartilage and bone. Genetic mutations that cause deficiencies of this protein result in significant skeletal abnormalities. In rat studies, FGF has demonstrated impressive abilities to stimulate cartilage repair in osteoarthritis. On the other hand FGF, under certain circumstances has been shown to inhibit the effects of other growth factors such as Insulin-like growth factor. Its use as an adjunctive ingredient in the application of mesenchymal stem cells for cartilage repair bears watching. http

By: Nathan Wei

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Alternatives to knee replacement... fibroblast growth factor as an aid to stem cell cartilage repair - Video

Obama: science should trump politics

President Obama, lifting an eight-year limit on federal funding of stem cell research, today portrayed his decision as part of a broader move to focus on science instead of politics.

Besides signing an executive order (read it here) reversing the Bush administration restrictions, Obama is also issuing a presidential memorandum (read it here) directing the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making.

The goal, the president said: "To ensure that in this new administration, we base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific advisers based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the science behind our decisions."

On embryonic stem cell research in particular, Obama acknowledged the religious-based opposition. But he said there is an ethical way to do such research.

"Rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," he said in the East Room of the White House, filled with advocates of stem cell research who cheered and applauded his annoucement. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given a capacity and will to pursue this research -- and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly."

Under Bush's order, taxpayer money could only be used for research on a small number of stem cell lines created before Aug. 9, 2001. Since, hundreds more stem cell lines have been created, but off-limits to federal funding.

While urging Congress to give more money to stem cell research, Obama is leaving to Congress the particularly controversial issue of whether taxpayer money should be used to experiment on embryos themselves. A congressional ban has been in place since 1996. He also made clear he opposes cloning for human reproduction.

The president also said that while stem cell research holds much promise in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, diabetes, and Parkinsons disease, there is no certainty.

"But that potential will not reveal itself on its own," Obama said. "Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit, and from a government willing to support that work.

"Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek," he added. "No president can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them -- actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground. Not just by opening up this new frontier of research today, but by supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.

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Obama: science should trump politics