Stem cell treatment causes nasal growth in woman's back

A woman in the US has developed a tumour-like growth eight years after a stem cell treatment to cure her paralysis failed. There have been a handful of cases of stem cell treatments causing growths but this appears to be the first in which the treatment was given at a Western hospital as part of an approved clinical trial.

At a hospital in Portugal, the unnamed woman, a US citizen, had tissue containing stem-cell-like cells taken from her nose and implanted in her spine. The hope was that these cells would develop into neural cells and help repair the nerve damage to the woman's spine. The treatment did not work far from it. Last year the woman, then 28, underwent surgery because of worsening pain at the implant site.

The surgeons removed a 3-centimetre-long growth, which was found to be mainly nasal tissue, as well as bits of bone and tiny nerve branches that had not connected with the spinal nerves.

The growth wasn't cancerous, but it was secreting a "thick copious mucus-like material", which is probably why it was pressing painfully on her spine, says Brian Dlouhy at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Michigan, the neurosurgeon who removed the growth. The results of the surgery have now been published.

"It is sobering," says George Daley, a stem cell researcher at Harvard Medical School who has helped write guidelines for people considering stem cell treatments. "It speaks directly to how primitive our state of knowledge is about how cells integrate and divide and expand. "

The case shows that even when carried out at mainstream hospitals, experimental stem cell therapies can have unpredictable consequences, says Alexey Bersenev, a stem cell research analyst who blogs at Cell Trials. "We have to realise complications can also happen in a clinical trial," he says.

Stem cells have the prized ability to divide and replenish themselves, as well as turn into different types of tissues. There are several different stem cells, including ones obtained from an early embryo, aborted fetuses, and umbilical cord blood. There are many sources within adult tissues, too, including bone marrow.

While often hailed as the future of medicine, stem cells' ability to proliferate carries an inherent danger and the fear has always been that when implanted into a person they could turn cancerous.

Still, a few stem cell therapies have now been approved, such as a treatment available in India that takes stem cells from the patient's eye in order to regrow the surface of their cornea, and a US product based on other people's bone stem cells.

Many groups around the world are investigating a wide range of other applications, including treating heart attacks, blindness, Parkinson's disease and cancer. Research groups at universities and hospitals need to meet strict safety guidelines for clinical trials but some small private clinics are offering therapies to people without research or marketing approval. There is a growing number of lawsuits against such clinics and a few cases have been reported of tumours or excessive tissue growth (see "Ongoing stem cell trials" below).

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Stem cell treatment causes nasal growth in woman's back

Enrile fit, vigorous enough for jailprosecutor

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at Camp Crame on the way to the PNP Hospital. The Sandiganbayan has ordered Enriles arrest in connection with the plunder and graft cases filed by the Ombudsman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ LEO SABANGAN

MANILA, PhilippinesFor the Office of the Special Prosecutor, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile need not be under hospital arrest for his plunder case because the 90-year-old lawmaker seemed healthier after his stem cell treatment.

During a hearing at the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, prosecutor Annielyn Cabelis said Enriles motion for him to be detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital is unfounded and self-serving.

Cabelis told the court that even with his age and various illnesses, Enrile is still performing quite well as senator.

The prosecutor cited Enriles stem cell treatment as adding strength to the veteran lawmaker.

Hes undergone stem cell surgery, adding vigor to the accused. Its not really precarious as what they told the court, Cabelis said.

Associate Justice Samuel Martires noted the prosecutors claim that Enrile seemed stronger after the stem cell treatment.

The justice then went on to ask the prosecutor if she feels her blood pressure going up when she is arguing with her husband.

When the prosecutor said I dont fight with my husband, Martires pointed out that anxiety for persons facing a crime also affects their blood pressure.

Do you know an anxiety of a person who has a case, especially a criminal case? Do you know that the period of anxiety also affect blood pressure? Martires told the prosecutor.

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Enrile fit, vigorous enough for jailprosecutor

Hue Hospital Succeeds in Treating Cancer with Stem Cell

Doctors of Hue Central Hospital have used stem cell transplantation to successfully treat a cancer patient of the last stage. The Hue Central Hospital announced on June 26 that its doctors have cured Le Thi Sau, 52, who was suffering ovarian cancer in the last stage, with stem cell transplant. The operation is the success of the scientific project Using stem cell in breast cancer and cervical cancer managed by Professor Nguyen Duy Thang, deputy head of the hospital. Adult stem cells have been used to treat certain cancers through bone marrow transplants. In this therapy, the stem cells that give rise to the different blood cells in the body are transplanted into the bone marrow of the patient, where they regenerate the blood. The project was given green light to carry out in the Hue Central Hospital by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Professor Nguyen Duy Thang said the success of this method will pave the way for next operations on breast and ovarian cancer patients. In the time ahead, the hospital continues to treat two other cancer female patients with the stem cell treatment. It is hoped that the treatment will save many cancer patients. (www.saigon-gpdaily.com.vn June 27)

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Hue Hospital Succeeds in Treating Cancer with Stem Cell

The promise and hazards of stem cell research

Federal funding blocked mainly over opposition to use of blastocysts

PORTSMOUTH Dr. Amy Sievers, an oncologist at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, does stem cell transplants with great success for her patients and is a firm advocate for stem cell research.

Sievers is allowed to do stem cell blood transplants because she does not use the source of controversy, embryonic stem cells. Instead, she can use stem cells from bone marrow, where blood is made. The cells can become new blood for transfusion into patients with blood-related cancers like leukemia.

"When we get past the chemo and radiation, the hope is we can replace blood and give the patient healthy blood and a chance to build a good immune system," Sievers said.

Parents saving cord blood when they give birth is an option, but Dr. Alexandra Bonesho of Core Physicians in Epping said it is very costly for the patient, is not covered by insurance and is not something pediatricians recommend widely unless there is a reason.

"It's not something we use as a practical course of events," Bonesho said. "Cord blood banking is very expensive, less so if the blood stem cells are donated to the National Cord Blood Bank. In most cases, the chance that you will need it for your own child is unlikely, unless there is already a known condition in the family."

For example, if there is a history of leukemia in another child, it may be worthwhile. Bonesho said in a case like that, having the baby's own blood stem cells can be the perfect answer.

"However, chances are good that if there is a sibling, they may also be a good match if a bone marrow transplant is needed," Bonesho said. "However, transplants are not the normal course of treatment in children with leukemia."

That being said, the cord blood could eventually be used for research in the future to find a cure for diseases like sickle cell anemia, Bonesho said.

Federal funding for much stem cell research is blocked mainly over the opposition to using embryonic stem cells. The cells come from blastocysts (fertilized eggs) from an in-vitro facility. The blastocysts are excess and are usually donated by people who have already been successfully treated for fertility problems.

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The promise and hazards of stem cell research

Mayo researching ALS stem cell treatment

Renee Tessman, KARE 1:26 p.m. EDT July 5, 2014

ALS study at Mayo Clinic(Photo: Mayo Clinic)

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Seventy-five years ago, Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with the rare, neurological disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the Mayo Clinic.

On July 4th, 1939, he gave his famous farewell speech to baseball fans.

Doctors now have a better understanding of the fatal disease but apart from medication that may give someone an extra couple of months, there is still no good way to extend someone's life.

Mayo Clinic researchers are working with stem cells to develop a new treatment. A New Brighton woman hopes to benefit.

Linda Leight spends every minute she can with her eight grandchildren. They visit her often at her home.

Time with grandchildren is always precious, but even more so for her because just like baseball legend Gehrig, Leight has ALS.

The disease that eventually paralyzes nearly all muscles in the body has started with her voice. Her speech was smooth and quick a few years ago. Now it is slow and slurred.

ALS causes neurons which control muscles to die, eventually making most ALS patients unable to breathe. Linda was diagnosed last September.

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Mayo researching ALS stem cell treatment

Congenital Hypotonia | Stem Cell Treatment Testimonial – Video

Congenital Hypotonia | Stem Cell Treatment Testimonial
Saif and his mother, like many other families, were left with no hope after Saif was diagnosed with Benign Congenital Hypotonia, a muscle weakness disease similar to Muscular Dystrophy. Local...

By: Beike Biotech

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Congenital Hypotonia | Stem Cell Treatment Testimonial - Video

Can stem cells really restore your youthful looks?

When an aging Hollywood action star or sex symbol reemerges after a long hiatus looking younger, with a great body and smoother, firmer facial skin, people now assume they have undergone stem cell therapy.

In my interview with doctors Eric and Anna Yalung of Regenestem Manila, they set me straight. While the actor/actress may have had stem cell therapy, the outward appearance is most likely a combination of Botox, plastic surgery, a strict diet and a personal trainer. So no doctor who only offers you stem cell can promise you outwardly beautifying results.

This is not to say though that there are no beauty benefits from it. For the beauty aspect, they do this for facial skin rejuvenation and hair growth. According to head dermatologist Anna Yalung, they inject the target area and, if necessary, combine it with services available at the clinic for best results and to speed up the process.

Shots are spaced a week to a month apart depending on treatment requirement for three sessions. The follow-up is scheduled the following year.

How is it done? Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a convenient and cell-based treatment. It is a simple procedure involving the extraction of blood, separation of platelets and administering the PRP to the desired area.

This is done in order to stimulate or promote healing, collagen synthesis for anti-aging, or to deliver proper oxygenation to muscles or tissues. A crucially important function of platelets is the release of various growth factors responsible for almost all repair processes that occur in the body.

Dr. Eric Yalung, who has conducted PRP treatments with Dr. Joseph Purita, world-renowned pioneer in stem cell orthopedic surgery, will spearhead PRP therapy for arthritis, sports injuries, anti-aging, hair growth, facial rejuvenation and pain management. Yalung clears that it is not a cure-all. It wont make you thinner or outwardly younger by itself. Its main purpose is improving the quality of ones life and the highest success rates are for those who are suffering from osteoarthritis; degenerative diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons and Alzheimers; sports injuries and pain management.

Regenestems team of four physicians do not work with embryonic stem cells, only with adult stem cells. Adult stem cells are found in all tissues of the growing human being and, according to latest reports, also have the potential to transform themselves into practically all other cell types, or revert to being stem cells with greater reproductive capacity.

The clinic also provides the option for patient treatments in Regenestem clinics worldwide (US, Mexico, Argentina, and Dubai), and includes assistance in hotel and travel plans.

Regenestem Manila is at 2/F, Belson House, 271 Edsa, Mandaluyong City; tel. 2452200. Visit http://www.regenestemasia.com

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Can stem cells really restore your youthful looks?

ARTIFICIAL EMBRYONIC STEM CELL QUALITY IMPAIRED: STUDY

In a setback for a promising kind of therapy based on artificial embryonic stem cells, a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature has found that they have serious quality issues.

Scientists who conducted the study, including those from the Salk Institute and UC San Diego in La Jolla, said it should be possible to improve the quality of these cells, which are called induced pluripotent stem cells. They said lessons can be learned from a technique of making embryonic stem cells through nuclear transfer, the same technology used to create Dolly the cloned sheep.

In addition, the study does not prove that the quality problems will actually affect the envisioned therapy, said scientists who examined it. That remains to be tested.

Induced pluripotent stem cells, called IPS cells for short, are made from skin cells treated with reprogramming factors that turn back the clock so they very closely resemble embryonic stem cells. The hope is that IPS cells could be turned into cells that can repair injuries or relieve diseases. Because they can be made from a patients own cells, IPS cells are genetically matched, reducing worries of rejection by a persons immune system.

In San Diego, scientists led by Jeanne Loring at The Scripps Research Institute have created IPS cells from the extracted skin cells of Parkinsons disease patients and turned those IPS cells into neurons that produce dopamine. They hope to get federal approval next year to implant the customized cells back into the patients and see whether the treatment is effective.

A major concern is that IPS cells display abnormal patterns of gene activation and repression. This is controlled by a process called methylation, which adds molecules called methyl groups to DNA. Methylation represses genes, while removing the methyl groups, or demethylation, activates them.

The Nature study was led by Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health & Science University. Mitalipov made headlines last year for using nuclear transfer to derive human embryonic stem cells, the first time this has been achieved. Cells produced through this method can form a near-perfect genetic match to the patient, and their quality closely resembles those of true embryonic stem cells.

We know that the embryonic stem cells are the gold standard, and weve been always trying to make patient-matched cells that would match the gold standard, Mitalipov said. And at this point, it looks like the (nuclear transfer) cells produce exactly those cells that would be best.

Nuclear transfer involves placing a nucleus from a skin cell into an egg cell that has had its nucleus removed. The cell is then stimulated, and it starts dividing in the same way a fertilized egg cell divides to form an embryo.

The new study found that when compared with the IPS cell method, nuclear transfer yields stem cells that much more closely resemble natural embryonic stem cells.

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ARTIFICIAL EMBRYONIC STEM CELL QUALITY IMPAIRED: STUDY

Less Toxic Transplant Treatment Offers Hope for Sickle Cell Patients

By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, July 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new bone marrow transplant technique for adults with sickle cell disease may "cure" many patients. And it avoids the toxic effects associated with long-term use of anti-rejection drugs, a new study suggests.

This experimental technique mixes stem cells from a sibling with the patient's own cells. Of 30 patients treated this way, many stopped using anti-rejection drugs within a year, and avoided serious side effects of transplants -- rejection and graft-versus-host disease, in which donor cells attack the recipient cells, the researchers said.

"We can successfully reverse sickle cell disease with a partial bone marrow transplant in very sick adult patients without the need for long-term medications," said researcher Dr. John Tisdale, a senior investigator at the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

In the United States, more than 90,000 people have sickle cell disease, a painful genetic disorder found mainly among blacks. Worldwide, millions of people have the disease.

Many adults with sickle cell disease have organ damage. This makes them ineligible for traditional transplants, which destroy all their bone marrow cells and use unmatched donor cells, he said. "Doing it this way would allow them access to a potential cure," Tisdale said.

"Adult patients, in whom symptoms are very severe, should consider whether a transplant could be right for them," he said. "A simple blood test for their siblings could tell them whether this approach is an option."

One expert was enthusiastic about the report, published July 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"The outcomes look every bit as good, if not better, than anything reported so far," said Dr. John DiPersio, chief of the division of oncology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

"The issue is whether this can be extended to unrelated donors and to mismatched donors," said DiPersio, also the author of an accompanying journal editorial.

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Less Toxic Transplant Treatment Offers Hope for Sickle Cell Patients

SICKLE CELL DISEASE REVERSED WITH STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS

A stem cell transplant reversed sickle cell disease in adults, according to a study that offers a potential cure for the debilitating condition.

Half of those who had the transplant, which involved a combination of the patients stem cells and those of a sibling, also were able to stop taking immunosuppressant drugs without experiencing rejection or having the donor cells attack their body, research released Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed. People undergoing stem cell transplants usually must take immunosuppressants for the rest of their lives.

More than 90,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease, a genetic disorder found mostly in people of African descent, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. The condition can cause severe pain, organ damage and stroke. Study author Matthew Hsieh said its too soon to say the researchers have found a cure, as patients have been followed only for an average of 3 years, but he is optimistic.

Theyre sickle-cell free for now, said Hsieh, a staff clinician at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in Bethesda, Md. We are cautiously optimistic they are cured.

Children with sickle cell disease can receive a transplant that combines chemotherapy with stem cells, he said. Adults, though, are usually considered too sick for that treatment.

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SICKLE CELL DISEASE REVERSED WITH STEM CELL TRANSPLANTS