Parents risk all for better life

Denelle Brockhurst hopes overseas stem cell treatment will benefit her daughter Talia, 6. Source: News Limited

PARENTS of autistic children are pinning their hopes on controversial "stem cell" clinics in countries such as China, India and Germany.

Australian doctors and scientists are warning against the trend towards stem cell tourism, which costs patients up to $60,000.

But with autism, the most prevalent disorder affecting today's children, there are plenty of people willing to give it a go.

Sunshine Coast mum Denelle Brockhurst believes a better life for autistic daughter Talia, 6, could lie in the Wu Stem Cells Medical Center in Beijing.

The Chinese doctors claim they will inject human stem cells into the girl's body to help repair whatever is causing her severe autism and epilepsy.

Dr James Best, a GP who specialises in autism, said parents were being duped and exploited into wasting family resources on unproven therapies.

"Whether it (stem cell treatment for autism) works effectively, the answer is almost certainly 'no'," he said.

"Even the concept is really implausible."

There was also the danger of unregulated treatments being administered under questionable supervision and ethical standards.

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Parents risk all for better life

Avita Medical to Present at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

NORTHRIDGE, CA and CAMBRIDGE, UK--(Marketwired - Oct 9, 2013) - Regenerative medicine company Avita Medical Ltd. (ASX: AVH) (OTCQX: AVMXY) today announced that it will be presenting at the upcoming 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa. The event will take place on October 14-16, 2013 at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel in La Jolla, California.

The Company will be presenting in Track 1 at 11:30 AM on Monday, October 14th as part of the conference's 3rd Annual Regen Med Partnering Forum.Presentation will be live-streamed on the day of the program.

"We are pleased to be presenting at this leading regenerative medicine industry conference," said Dr. William Dolphin, Avita Medical's CEO. "ReCell SprayOn Skin is on the market in other countries and undergoing FDA clinical trials in the US. This conference is a great venue to generate awareness among potential corporate partners and institutional investors as we approach FDA submission."

This is a three-day conference organized annually by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine with the intention of bringing together senior members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures.For more information on the conference: http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/

ABOUT AVITA MEDICAL LTD.Avita Medical (http://www.avitamedical.com) develops and distributes regenerative and tissueengineered products for the treatment ofabroadrangeofwounds,scarsandskindefects.Avita's patented and proprietary tissueculture, collection and application technology provides innovative treatment solutions derived from a patient's own skin. The company's lead product, ReCell SprayOn Skin, is used in a wide variety of burns, plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. ReCell is patented, CEmarked for Europe, TGAregistered in Australia, and SFDAcleared in China. ReCell is on market and generating early revenues. ReCell is not available for sale in the United States; in the U.S. ReCell is an investigational device limited by federal law to investigational use. A Phase III FDA trial is in process.

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Avita Medical to Present at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Combination Could Aid Wound Healing

Johns Hopkins Medicine Media Relations and Public Affairs

JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE NEWS TIPS FROM THE 2013 ANNUAL CLINICAL CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS, OCT. 6-10, WASHINGTON, D.C.

GENE AND STEM CELL THERAPY COMBINATION COULD AID WOUND HEALING

--Findings in elderly mice offer insight into helping elderly people recover from burns

Newswise Johns Hopkins researchers, working with elderly mice, have determined that combining gene therapy with an extra boost of the same stem cells the body already uses to repair itself leads to faster healing of burns and greater blood flow to the site of the wound.

Their findings offer insight into why older people with burns fail to heal as well as younger patients, and how to potentially harness the power of the bodys own bone marrow stem cells to reverse this age-related discrepancy.

As we get older, it is harder for our wounds to heal, says John W. Harmon, M.D., a professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who will present his findings to the American College of Surgeons Surgical Biology Club on Sunday at 9 a.m. Our research suggests there may be a way to remedy that.

To heal burns or other wounds, stem cells from the bone marrow rush into action, homing to the wound where they can become blood vessels, skin and other reparative tissue. The migration and homing of the stem cells is organized by a protein called Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1). In older people, Harmon says, fewer of these stem cells are released from the bone marrow and there is a deficiency of HIF-1. The protein was first discovered about 15 years ago at Johns Hopkins by Gregg L. Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., one of Harmons collaborators.

Harmon and his colleagues first attempted to boost the healing process in mice with burn wounds by increasing levels of HIF-1 using gene therapy, a process that included injecting the rodents with a better working copy of the gene that codes for the protein. That had worked to improve healing of wounds in diabetic animals, but the burn wound is particularly difficult to heal, and that approach was insufficient. So they supplemented the gene therapy by removing bone marrow from a young mouse and growing out the needed stem cells in the lab. When they had enough, they injected those supercharged cells back into the mice.

After 17 days, there were significantly more mice with completely healed burns in the group treated with the combination therapy than in the other groups, Harmon says. The animals that got the combination therapy also showed better blood flow and more blood vessels supplying the wounds.

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Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Combination Could Aid Wound Healing

Vet-Stem, Inc. Announces Publication of the Food and Drug Law Institute Primer Including a Chapter Authored by CEO, Dr …

Poway, California (PRWEB) October 10, 2013

Vet-Stem, Inc. proudly announces the publication of the most recent Food and Drug Law Institute Primer covering Food and Drug Administrations Regulation of Veterinary Drug Products, which includes a chapter authored by Vet-Stems Founder and CEO, Robert J. Harman, DVM, MVPM. Dr. Harman worked closely with Karl M. Nobert JD, MBA to compose the chapter on FDAs Possible Regulation of Veterinary Stem Cell Therapy.

Some of the main points from this chapter are that commercialization has thus far utilized autologous stem cells and allogeneic use of all sources of stem cells is still in the research phase, and currently no products on the market in the United States have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Also, Dr. Harman suggests, Adopting quality controls based on a combination of FDAs human current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) and Good Tissue Practice (cGTP) would represent an appropriate quality system to mitigate the risk of contamination and infection; and ensure the production of a safe product.

Dr. Harmans experience in authoring more than 500 contract study reports for animal health companies throughout the world and for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture in support of the development of new animal and human health products as well as his expertise in stem cells and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine made him a valuable resource in discussing veterinary regenerative medicine, the commercialization of veterinary stem cell therapy, and the FDAs regulation of veterinary stem cell therapy. Dr. Harman founded Vet-Stem, Inc., the leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine Company. Vet-Stem uses a process that utilizes autologous adult stem cells from adipose tissue to help reduce pain, inflammation, and to stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues. Over the last decade Vet-Stem has processed the tissue of 10,000 animals to provide treatment with their own stem cells.

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Vet-Stem, Inc. Announces Publication of the Food and Drug Law Institute Primer Including a Chapter Authored by CEO, Dr ...

StemCells, Inc. to Present at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa's Regen Med Partnering Forum

NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM), the leading stem cell company developing novel cell-based therapeutics for disorders of the central nervous system, announced today that President and CEO Martin McGlynn will make a presentation on the Company's programs and operations at the Regen Med Partnering Forum during the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa, to be held October 14-16. Mr. McGlynn is scheduled to speak at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, October 14, at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel in La Jolla, Calif. A live video webcast of all company presentations will be available at: http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/webcast/ and will also be published on the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine's (ARM) website shortly after the event.

The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference organized by the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and ARM. The conference brings together senior members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures. The first two days of the conference, October 14-15, features the Regen Med Partnering Forum, the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine and advanced therapies industry. The conference also features a nationally recognized Scientific Symposium, which is attended by leading scientists and researchers and will showcase leading academic research in the field of regenerative medicine. Please visit http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/ for more information.

StemCells, Inc. is a sponsor of the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) are currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and has reported positive interim data for the first three patients. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. In addition, the Company is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease, with support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven(R) brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

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StemCells, Inc. to Present at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa's Regen Med Partnering Forum

StemCells, Inc. Executive Vice President Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., to Make Keynote Address at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on …

NEWARK, Calif., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM), the leading stem cell company developing novel cell-based therapeutics for disorders of the central nervous system, announced today that Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Scientific and Strategic Alliances at StemCells, will make the keynote address at the Scientific Symposium of the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa, to be held October 14-16 in La Jolla, Calif. In her address, "Human Neural Stem Cells from Discovery to Clinic," Dr. Tsukamoto will describe the compelling preclinical data that underlie the Company's clinical trials targeting disorders in the brain, spinal cord, and eye, and the encouraging early data from these clinical trials. Dr. Tsukamoto is scheduled to speak at 8:05 a.m. Pacific Time on October 16, at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

"Harnessing the potential of cell-based therapy presents many challenges," said Dr. Tsukamoto. "We at StemCells have taken a meticulous approach to developing our proprietary neural stem cell technology. We have carefully followed the science, and have generated and published a robust body of scientific data, including a number of preclinical proof-of-principle studies in well-accepted animal models. The early clinical data from a number of our Phase I/II trials is encouraging as the data is beginning to confirm much of what we have seen in the animal models."

Dr. Tsukamoto has been working on stem cells for over 25 years. She joined StemCells in 1998, and under her direction, the Company isolated its proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) and successfully transitioned into clinical development for a range of CNS indications. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Tsukamoto was a co-discoverer of the human hematopoietic stem cell and is a named inventor on seven issued US patents.

The Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference organized by the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), and the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM). The conference is aimed at bringing together senior members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures. The conference's nationally recognized Scientific Symposium, which will be held on October 16, is attended by leading scientists and researchers and will showcase leading academic research in the field of regenerative medicine. The conference's Regen Med Partnering Forum, the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine and advanced therapies industry, will be held October 14-15. Please visit http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/ for more information.

StemCells, Inc. is a sponsor of the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa.

About StemCells, Inc.

StemCells, Inc. is engaged in the research, development, and commercialization of cell-based therapeutics and tools for use in stem cell-based research and drug discovery. The Company's proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) cells (purified human neural stem cells) are currently in development as a potential treatment for a broad range of central nervous system disorders. In a Phase I clinical trial in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD), a fatal myelination disorder in children, the Company has shown preliminary evidence of progressive and durable donor-derived myelination in all four patients transplanted with HuCNS-SC cells. The Company is conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury in Switzerland, Canada and the United States, and has reported positive interim data for the first three patients. The Company is also conducting a Phase I/II clinical trial in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the United States. In addition, the Company is pursuing preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease, with support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). StemCells also markets stem cell research products, including media and reagents, under the SC Proven(R) brand. Further information about StemCells is available at http://www.stemcellsinc.com.

Apart from statements of historical fact, the text of this press release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. securities laws, and is subject to the safe harbors created therein. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the clinical development of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells; the Company's ability to commercialize drug discovery and drug development tools; and the future business operations of the Company. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof. Such statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions that may or may not ultimately prove valid. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties to which the Company is subject, including the fact that additional trials will be required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Company's HuCNS-SC cells for the treatment of any disease or disorder; uncertainties regarding the ability of preclinical research, including research in animal models, to accurately predict success or failure in clinical trials; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to obtain the increased capital resources needed to continue its current and planned research and development operations; uncertainty as to whether HuCNS-SC cells and any products that may be generated in the future in the Company's cell-based programs will prove safe and clinically effective and not cause tumors or other adverse side effects; uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to commercialize a therapeutic product and its ability to successfully compete with other products on the market; and other factors that are described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and in its subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

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StemCells, Inc. Executive Vice President Ann Tsukamoto, Ph.D., to Make Keynote Address at 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on ...

Aastrom Biosciences to Present at the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa Conference

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (ASTM), the leading developer of patient-specific expanded multicellular therapies for the treatment of severe chronic cardiovascular diseases, today announced that Nick Colangelo, President and CEO of Aastrom, will present at the 3rd Annual Regenerative Medicine Partnering Forum at the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa conference on Monday, October 14 at 10:30 a.m. PDT at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel in San Diego, CA.

A copy of the presentation will be available on the company's website at http://investors.aastrom.com/events.cfm.

Organized by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference aimed at bringing together senior members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures. The Regenerative Medicine Partnering Forum at the Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine industry.

About Aastrom Biosciences

Aastrom Biosciences is the leader in developing patient-specific, expanded multicellular therapies for use in the treatment of patients with severe, chronic cardiovascular diseases. The company's proprietary cell-processing technology enables the manufacture of ixmyelocel-T, a patient-specific multicellular therapy expanded from a patient's own bone marrow and delivered directly to damaged tissues. Aastrom has advanced ixmyelocel-T into late-stage clinical development, including a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with advanced heart failure due to ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. For more information, please visit Aastrom's website at http://www.aastrom.com.

The Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3663

This document contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning clinical trial plans and progress, objectives and expectations, clinical activity timing, intended product development, the performance and contribution of certain individuals and expected timing of collecting and analyzing treatment data, all of which involve certain risks and uncertainties. These statements are often, but are not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "we believe," "we intend," and similar words or phrases, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "potential," "could," "may," or similar expressions. Actual results may differ significantly from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements. Among the factors that may result in differences are the inherent uncertainties associated with the closing of the offering described herein, Aastrom's intended use of proceeds in connection with the offering, clinical trial and product development activities, regulatory approval requirements, competitive developments, and the availability of resources and the allocation of resources among different potential uses. These and other significant factors are discussed in greater detail in Aastrom's Registration Statement on Form S-1 described above, Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and Aastrom does not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date of this release except as required by law.

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Aastrom Biosciences to Present at the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa Conference

Healios K.K. Announces 3 Billion JPY (USD $30.6 Million) Capital Raise

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Healios K.K. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Hardy TS Kagimoto M.D.), a Japanese bioventure company at the forefront of developing innovative therapies utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology, is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised its target capital of 3 billion JPY (USD $30.6 million). With completion of its capital campaign, which started in March 2013, Healios K.K. will continue development of promising new treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by hiPSC derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell transplantation under partnership with the following group of pioneering investors:

Founded in February 24, 2011 Healios K.K. aims to commercialize the worlds first pharmaceutical hiPSC derived RPE cell transplantation for treatment of AMD in collaboration with RIKEN, one of the leading research institutes in Japan. The goal of this therapy is to promote the regeneration of retinal function and, consequently, to improve visual function in those affected with retinal degenerative diseases. The significance of the total raised capital fortifies the companys momentum in the development of therapeutics utilizing the Nobel Prize-winning hiPSC technology and attests its uncompromising commitment to making groundbreaking strides in the field of regenerative medicine.

About Healios K.K.

Company Name: Healios K.K. (formerly known as Retina Institute Japan K.K.) Location: Tokyo, Japan President and CEO: Hardy TS Kagimoto, M.D. Founded: February 24, 2011 Stock Market: Unlisted

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Healios K.K. Announces 3 Billion JPY (USD $30.6 Million) Capital Raise

Sangamo BioSciences Announces Presentation At the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

RICHMOND, Calif., Oct. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (SGMO) announced today that Elizabeth Wolffe, Ph.D., Sangamo's senior director of corporate communications, will give a company presentation at the 3rd Annual Regen Med Partnering Forum, part of the Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa to be held October 14-16, 2013, in La Jolla, CA.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130102/SF35903LOGO)

Organized by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa is a three-day conference aimed at bringing together members of the regenerative medicine industry with the scientific research community to advance stem cell science into cures. The Regen Med Partnering Forum, held October 14 &15 at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel, is the only partnering meeting organized specifically for the regenerative medicine and advanced therapies industry.

The following are specific details regarding Sangamo's presentation at the conference:

Event: Regen Med Partnering Forum 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

Date: October 14, 2013

Time: 5:15 p.m.

Location: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, 9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037

A live video webcast of all company presentations will be available at: http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/webcast/ and will also be published on ARM's website shortly after the event.

Please visit http://stemcellmeetingonthemesa.com/ for full information including registration. Complimentary attendance at this event is available for credentialed investors and members of the media only. Investors and media should contact Laura Parsons at lparsons@alliancerm.org.

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Sangamo BioSciences Announces Presentation At the 2013 Stem Cell Meeting on the Mesa

Stem Cells Delivered by Patch Effective in Repairing Cardiac Damage Weeks After Heart Attack Occurs

Durham, NC (PRWEB) October 08, 2013

A new study released today in Stem Cells Translational Medicine shows that in rats, treating a heart attack with stem cells even weeks after the attack occurred can halt deterioration and help the heart regenerate itself. In addition, the doctors delivered the cells using a patch that resulted in a higher survival rate for the stem cells and more of them migrating into the damaged tissue, where they went to work creating new blood vessels.

The team, from the University of Louisvilles Cardiovascular Innovation Institute (Louisville, KY), had previously shown in rat studies that stem cell treatment immediately following an attack aided recovery by improving blood flow in the smallest vessels of the heart. This time the goal was to determine if the treatment was still effective if applied later in time.

We also were seeking a more efficient delivery method for the stem cells by utilizing the heart patch model. Most studies employing an injection of stem cells encounter swift cell death or cell washout from the target tissue, said Amanda LeBlanc, Ph.D., who led the investigation along with Stuart Williams, Ph.D., the institutes executive and scientific director.

They tested their theory by applying a patch seeded with stem cells harvested from the animals own adipose (fat) tissue and then cultured in the lab. They implanted the seeded patches into one group of rats two weeks after the animals had a heart attack, while another group received the patch without stem cells (to gauge whether any effects might be due to the body's response to a foreign material or whether the biomaterial itself was helping the heart pump more efficiently, regardless of cells). Two more groups of rats with induced heart attacks were given no treatment, and were carried out for two and six weeks as controls.

This approach allowed us to study the progressive and sometimes irreversible pathological changes that occur weeks to months following an attack, such as cellular death, the beginning of scar tissue formation and thinning of the outer left ventricle wall, Dr. Williams explained.

When they compared the results, they found that the cell patch treatment indeed stabilized the heart, preventing or halting any worsening of cardiac function and restoring blood flow to the small blood vessels. This is why I refer to our cell patch as a pause button, because once it was applied the heart didn't progress into worse function like the patch group without cells and the untreated six-week group, Dr. LeBlanc said.

That led us to conclude that the clinical potential of an autologous patch that is, a patch seeded with the patients own stem cells using adipose-derived cells is high, as the patch may be used in conjunction with existing heart attack therapies to promote small vessel survival and/or growth of new vessels following the attack, she added.

This study, and the authors previous research, both in rats, lays important groundwork in addressing such issues as the best delivery method of cells and how long after a heart attack treatment might be beneficial, said Anthony Atala, M.D., editor of Stem Cells Translational Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

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Stem Cells Delivered by Patch Effective in Repairing Cardiac Damage Weeks After Heart Attack Occurs