Stem Cell Clinic

Could you benefit from stem cell treatments? – Good4Utah

By adminJune 20, 2017Stem Cell Treatment

Do you have aching knees or shoulders? How about pain in your neck or back?

There are many causes of these kinds of pains: arthritis, degenerative joint or disk disease, tendonitis, sciatica, sprains and many more.

Dr. William Cimikoski, Medical Director of Utah Stem Cells Joint Treatment and Wellness Center, joined Midday to talk about Stem Cell Regeneration.

Dr. Cimikoski says nearly anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain can benefit from this treatment.

Stem Cell Joint Regeneration works by injecting stem cells and platelet rich plasma (PRP) in and around the joint to help your body repair itself. The procedure lasts about 45 minutes and there is essentially no down time.

Utah Stem Cells Joint Treatment and Wellness Center is offering a special promotion for viewers: a free consultation and a $300 gift certificate for yourself, as well as another one for a friend or a family member.

Call the office in Salt Lake City near the Sandy border at: 8010-999-4860 or visit: UtahStemCells.com.

This segment contains sponsored content.

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Could you benefit from stem cell treatments? - Good4Utah

Frequency Therapeutics Presented Data at the International Society … – Business Wire (press release)

By adminJune 20, 2017Stell Cell Research

WOBURN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Frequency Therapeutics, a company spearheading the movement to restore hearing by harnessing the regenerative potential of progenitor cells in the body, today announced a presentation delineating the companys proprietary platform, Progenitor Cell Activation (PCA), was presented at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2017 Annual Meeting which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 14-17. The presentation, Small molecule activation of progenitor cells as a means of in situ tissue regeneration, described a process that may provide a novel means of addressing cellular deficiencies or malfunctions in many diseases including hearing loss, dermatology, muscle and gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The presentation was conducted on Friday, June 16 at 7:00pm ET by Chris Loose, Ph.D., Co-founder and CSO of Frequency Therapeutics.

Scientists have worked for decades pushing targeted cells to regenerate. The applicability of tissue regeneration is limited by the complexities of cell therapy, including cell delivery, gene expression and functionality. Unlike previous approaches which resulted in forced conversion of Lgr5+ cells into the desired cell type, Frequencys PCA technology uses a precise and controlled application of small molecules to activate dormant progenitor cells within the body, causing them to divide and differentiate into their designated target cells. Frequencys presentation highlighted the Companys PCA Platform, initially targeting cochlear hair cell regeneration for noise-induced hearing loss, as a viable approach to develop a whole new category of disease-modifying therapeutics for a wide range of degenerative conditions.

Progenitor Cell Activation is a system where the local delivery of small molecules to dormant Lgr5 progenitor cells could produce profound therapeutic opportunities across a vast number of disease areas that exhibit high, unmet medical needs, said Dr. Loose. We believe PCA technology could be used to modulate cells in situ to address a number of diseases with minimal safety risk. Our first indication in hearing loss has produced positive results in preclinical studies, and we look forward to presenting further information as we move our lead program ahead.

Our PCA platform presents a robust opportunity to address many debilitating issues, and expand to therapeutic areas where there are few or no options currently available, added David Lucchino, President, Co-Founder and CEO of Frequency. The body has an innate, but sometimes dormant ability to heal itself. Activating the bodys own resources could overcome biological barriers that still exist within the overall drug development space to address medical needs like hearing impairment, skin disorders, gastrointestinal diseases and muscle regeneration.

A team led by Frequencys scientific co-founders published research highlighting the PCA approach to regenerate inner ear sensory hair cells in early 2017. The paper titled, Clonal Expansion of Lgr5-Positive Cells from Mammalian Cochlea and High-Purity Generation of Sensory Hair Cells, was a February cover feature in the journal Cell Reports, and can be accessed in the current online edition.

ABOUT PROGENITOR CELL ACTIVATION (PCA)

Frequencys precise and controlled approach transiently causes Lgr5+ progenitor cells to divide and differentiate, much like what is seen in naturally regenerating tissues such as the skin and intestine. Frequency activates stemness through mimicking signals provided by neighboring cells (the stem cell niche) with small molecules, and this proprietary approach is known as the Progenitor Cell Activation (PCA) platform. Frequency believes that PCA has the potential to yield a whole new category of disease-modifying therapeutics for a wide range of degenerative conditions. To fuel its drug discovery programs, Frequency is leveraging a PCA screening platform using primary human cells. Frequencys initial focus is on chronic noise induced hearing loss. Other potential applications include skin disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and diabetes.

ABOUT FREQUENCY THERAPEUTICS

Frequency Therapeutics develops small molecule drugs that activate progenitor cells within the body to restore healthy tissue. Through the transitory activation of these progenitor cells, Frequency enables disease modification without the complexity of genetic engineering. Our lead program re-creates sensory cells in the inner ear to treat chronic noise induced hearing loss, which affects over 30 million people in the U.S. alone. http://www.frequencytx.com.

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Frequency Therapeutics Presented Data at the International Society ... - Business Wire (press release)

ALS Research Forum | To Evaluate Stem Cell Therapies, Think … – ALS Research Forum

By adminJune 20, 2017Stell Cell Research

Testing stem cell therapies unilaterally?A side-by-side comparison of strength of key muscles may enable scientists to evaluate stem cell therapies for the disease. The approach aims to control for the variability of the disease internally, without historical cohorts and/or the use of a placebo (see Donofrio and Bedlack, 2011; Glass et al., 2016).The biceps and triceps appear to be most reliable muscles to monitor progression in people with ALS according to this analysis (Rushton et al., 2017). [Neural progenitor cells. Courtesy of Nature Cell Biology. Reproduced with permission.]

Motor neurons degenerate in ALS. Why these cells are destroyed remains unclear. Therefore, how to slow or stop this destruction of motor neurons in ALS remains an open question.

In the meantime, a growing number of scientists are turning to stem cells in hopes to promote motor neuron survival in people with ALS and/or reduce their toxicity (see December 2015 conference news). But how to evaluate these strategies in the clinic remains hotly debated.

Now, a research team at Cedar Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California reports that an emerging outcome measure, which involves monitoring muscle strength, may facilitate the evaluation of stem cell therapies for the disease (Rushton et al., 2017). The study, led by Clive Svendsen, found that functional decline of key muscles on the left and right side of people with ALS progressed at a similar rate. The results suggest that at least some stem cell therapies could be evaluated unilaterally by comparing the strength of muscles on the treated and untreated side for each of these muscle groups.

This side-by-side comparison, according to a subsequent power analysis, may enable clinicians to evaluate stem cell therapies for ALS in a smaller sample size without the need for sham surgeries and/or placebo injections.

This unilateral approach is emerging as an alternative to evaluate a growing number of potential neuroprotective strategies for neurodegenerative diseases including ALS (see NCT02943850, NCT02478450; Glass et al., 2016).

The study is published on June 9 in Neurology.

The retrospective analysis, performed in collaboration with Cedar Sinais Robert Baloh, studied the rates of decline of 6 upper and lower muscle groups in nearly 750 people with ALS determined by fixed dynamometry. These longitudinal datasets, previously collected by physical therapist Pat Andres and colleagues, now at Massachusetts General Hospital, capture the decline in strength of key muscles in people with ALS during at least a 16-month period measured by either the TUFTS Quantitative Neuromuscular Exam (TQNE) or more recently, the Accurate Test of Limb Isometric Strength (ATLIS) system (Andres et al., 1986; Shields et al., 1998; Andres et al., 2012.

Analyzing therapies by hand. Meanwhile, Biogen scientists in Cambridge, Massachusetts are turning to hand-held dynamometry to evaluate potential therapies for ALS. The emerging strength-based measure highly correlates with the progressive loss of motor function (ALS-FRS-R) and breathing capacity (FVC) according to a retrospective analysis of 924 people with ALS presented at the 2017 meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (see May 2017 news). And, according to a subsequent side-by-side comparison, these musclesdecline at similar rates. [Image: Douma et al., 2014 under CC BY 2.0 license.]

The study builds on previous work, led by Barrow Institutes Jeremy Shefner in Phoenix, Arizona and Biogens Toby Ferguson in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which found that monitoring the strength of key muscles using hand-held dynamometry is a reliable and reproducible approach to measure progression of ALS in a clinical setting and thereby, may facilitate the evaluation of potential therapies (see May 2017 conference news; Shefner et al., 2014).

Now, Svendsens team is gearing up to evaluate their potential stem cell therapy for ALS. The strategy uses genetically engineered neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to deliver GDNF into the CNS in hopes to protect motor neurons in people with the disease (see April 2017 news; Gowing et al., 2014). The approach is at the phase 1 stage. Stay tuned.

Ebensburg native celebrates 5-year cancer survival at center’s event – TribDem.com

By adminJune 19, 2017Stem Cell Medical Center

EBENSBURG About five years ago, a very physically active Dale Lauer became tired while playing a match of tennis with a friend.

Something just wasnt right.

His wife, Cheryl, immediately made him a doctors appointment. Blood tests revealed Lauer had leukemia.

Today, Lauer, an Ebensburg native, is cancer-free.

Last week, he joined more than 135 fellow five-year cancer survivors at Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, Illinois, to participate in Cancer Treatment Centers of Americas 29th annual Celebrate Life event.

Celebrate Life is an event that brings together cancer survivors and caregivers for a day of support, celebration and encouragement for those who arestill fighting their battles with cancer.

Lauer said a friend of the family connected him with the Cancer Center in Zion, where he completed two unsuccessful rounds of induction chemotherapy.

On Oct. 3 of that year, Lauer had a stem-cell transplant a procedure with a success rate of less than 10 percent that allowed him to be cancer-free ever since.

It was extremely aggressive treatment, he recalls.

On June 9, Lauer, his wife and three sons Joel, Ryan and Brock arrived with the other survivors at the Midwestern Regional Medical Center, walking down a red carpet lined with family, friends, caregivers and hospital care team members.

After the red carpet walk, Lauer and his family were part of a commemorative tree-planting ceremony.At each of the 29 annual Celebrate Life events, a tree is planted in honor of each five-year cancer survivor in attendance.

After five years of survivorship, Im back to doing the things I love, Lauer said. By staying positive, paying attention to my health and maintaining a will to live, Ive returned to riding bikes, playing tennis and surrounding myself with my loving family and community.

Five years ago, this amazing group of cancer survivors came to Cancer Treatment Centers of America with a great sense of hope, searching for answers and cancer care that fit their specific needs, said Scott Jones, president and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern.While everyones journey and experience is unique, we honor and respect the strength and perseverance it takes for them to be here.

Lauer said his longest say at the Cancer Center in Zion was about four months, during which every staff member treated him like family.

Its not a hospital, its heaven on earth, he said.

When you walk in the door, theres people in there who want you to have the best day of your life. Its really like a family.

Lauer is also involved with the Cancer Fighters program at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where he said hes thrilled to share my story.

Cancer Fighters allows survivors and caretakers such as Lauer and his wife to answer questions and share their journey with recently diagnosed patients seeking treatment at Cancer Treatment Centers across the country.

Lauer especially creditsthe support of family, friends, neighbors, doctors and nurses provided during his battle against leukemia.

The miracles that came my way were just astronomical, he said.

Jocelyn Brumbaugh is a reporter for the Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter @JBrumbaughTD.

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Ebensburg native celebrates 5-year cancer survival at center's event - TribDem.com

Hyderabad team grows miniature eyes using stem cells – The Hindu

By adminJune 19, 2017Embryonic Stem Cells

The Hindu

Hyderabad team grows miniature eyes using stem cells
The Hindu
The iPS cells are produced by genetically manipulating human skin cells to produce embryonic-like stem cells that are capable of forming any cell types of the body. Small portions of the corneal tissue were separated from the miniature eyes and used ...

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Hyderabad team grows miniature eyes using stem cells - The Hindu

Low-cost biochip isolates cells for clinical diagnosis [PreClinical] – 2 Minute Medicine

By adminJune 19, 2017Uncategorized

1. Researchers manufactured a microfluidic biochip, using an inkjet printing system to apply conductive nanoparticles to a polymer substrate.

2. The biochip used an electric field to separate and capture cell populations, allowing for downstream characterization and further analysis.

Evidence Rating Level: 2 (Good)

Study Rundown: Some infectious diseases and cancers can be detected early through the identification of rare cell populations. The sorting and identification of these cells currently require bulky and expensive equipment, preventing their effective use in areas unable to obtain these technologies. The goal of this study was to develop a low-cost, reusable, and effective cell separation platform that could be used for diagnostics in resource-limited areas.

The biochip was designed to have three components: a reusable polyethylene terephthalate substrate with inkjet-printed conductive nanoparticles, a disposable microfluidic platform made of polydimethylsiloxane, and an insulating barrier. The biochip induced dipole moments, resulting in a dielectrophoresis (DEP) force that moved varying cell types based on differences in size and dielectric properties. This allowed for the effective separation and storage of different cell populations. A mixture of breast adenocarcinoma cells, yeast cells, and polystyrene microspheres was used to test the biochip. The three particle types were collected with high separation efficiency. The cells were viable after being on the biochip, indicating they could be used for downstream analyses.

Future work must evaluate the biochip using more clinically relevant cell mixtures. However, the biochip demonstrates potential for diagnostics and research studies on rare cell populations. Without the need for clean rooms or time consuming processing, manufacturing the biochip only requires vector-drawing software and inkjet printing technology. With a production time of around 20 minutes and a materials cost of $0.01 per chip, this biochip could be feasibly produced in developing and low-income areas. Not only can clinical samples be reused after processing on the biochip, but the chip itself is also a reusable platform. This technology could enable faster diagnostic capabilities and early detection of rapidly progressing conditions.

Click here to read the study in PNAS

Relevant Reading: A microfluidic biochip for complete blood cell counts at the point-of-care

In-Depth [in vitro study]: To collect single cells, the biochip used contactless dielectrophorectic-traps and an array of facing electrodes. When particles were introduced to the chip, each cell experienced negative DEP forces that trapped it in a chamber within the electrical field. Once a cell was trapped in a chamber, no other cells could enter.

To optimize the parameters of the biochip, polystyrene microspheres were put in the chip and subjected to various voltages and signal frequencies to determine their effects on the resulting velocity and DEP force. Flow rates were adjusted to optimize the capture efficiency, with higher flow rates resulting in a 510% drop in the efficiency of capturing the microspheres. These parameters were then validated using a breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MDA-MD-231) and yeast cells.

Cells were isolated from the chip and assessed for viability. A 1.5-fold increase in transformation efficiency was noted in the yeast cells, confirming the safety of this technology. A mixture of MDA-MD-231 cells, yeast cells, and streptavidin-coated polystyrene microspheres was put into the biochip. Because each of these particles have different polarization properties, they could be separated by the biochip. Separation efficiency was found to be 79, 88, and 86% for the breast cancer cells, yeast cells, and microspheres, respectively.

Image: PD

2017 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

2 Minute Medicines The Classics in Medicine: Summaries of the Landmark Trials is available now in paperback and e-book editions.

This text summarizes the key trials in:General Medicine and Chronic Disease, Cardiology, Critical and Emergent Care, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hematology and Oncology, Imaging, Infectious Disease, Nephrology, Neurology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Pulmonology, and Surgery.

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Low-cost biochip isolates cells for clinical diagnosis [PreClinical] - 2 Minute Medicine

Israeli Scientists: Stem Cell Therapy Not Good for All Heart Patients – The Jewish Press – JewishPress.com

By adminJune 19, 2017Stell Cell Research

Photo Credit: Nati Shohat / Flash 90

Patients with severe and end-stage heart failure have few treatment options available to them apart from transplants and miraculous stem cell therapy. But a new Tel Aviv University study has found that stem cell therapy may in fact harm patients with heart disease.

The research, led by Prof. Jonathan Leor of TAUs Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center and conducted by TAUs Dr. Nili Naftali-Shani, explores the current practice of using cells from the host patient to repair tissue and contends that this can prove deleterious or toxic for patients. The study was recently published in the journal Circulation.

We found that, contrary to popular belief, tissue stem cells derived from sick hearts do not contribute to heart healing after injury, said Prof. Leor. Furthermore, we found that these cells are affected by the inflammatory environment and develop inflammatory properties. The affected stem cells may even exacerbate damage to the already diseased heart muscle.

Tissue or adult stem cells blank cells that can act as a repair kit for the body by replacing damaged tissue encourage the regeneration of blood vessel cells and new heart muscle tissue. Faced with a worse survival rate than many cancers, a number of patients with heart failure have turned to stem cell therapy as a last resort.

But our findings suggest that stem cells, like any drug, can have adverse effects, said Prof. Leor. We concluded that stem cells used in cardiac therapy should be drawn from healthy donors or be better genetically engineered for the patient.

Hope for improved cardiac stem cell therapy

In addition, the researchers also discovered the molecular pathway involved in the negative interaction between stem cells and the immune system as they isolated stem cells in mouse models of heart disease. After exploring the molecular pathway in mice, the researchers focused on cardiac stem cells in patients with heart disease.

The results could help improve the use of autologous stem cells those drawn from the patients themselves in cardiac therapy, Prof. Leor said.

We showed that the deletion of the gene responsible for this pathway can restore the original therapeutic function of the cells, said Prof. Leor. Our findings determine the potential negative effects of inflammation on stem cell function as theyre currently used. The use of autologous stem cells from patients with heart disease should be modified. Only stem cells from healthy donors or genetically engineered cells should be used in treating cardiac conditions.

The researchers are currently testing a gene editing technique (CRISPER) to inhibit the gene responsible for the negative inflammatory properties of the cardiac stem cells of heart disease patients. We hope our engineered stem cells will be resistant to the negative effects of the immune system, said Prof. Leor.

Meanwhile, for those unable to profit from stem cell therapy, researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) have developed a revolutionary new drug that may reverse the damage and repair the diseased heart.

The newly developed drug is a polymer which reduces the inflammation in cardiovascular tissue and stops plaque build-up in arteries. Then it goes one step further and removes existing plaque in the heart, leaving healthy tissue behind.

Professor Ayelet David, a researcher at BGU revealed the drug might also help people suffering from diabetes, hypertension and other conditions associated with old age.

Therapists say Ryan Custer moved two fingers on his right hand – WRGT TV Fox 45

By adminJune 18, 2017Stem Cell Medical Center

WSU Basketball players sending well wishes to injured Ryan Custer (Photo courtesy Assistant Coach of WSU basketball Nick Goff)

CHICAGO (WKEF/WRGT) - A Wright State basketball player who fractured his C-5 vertebrae at an off-campus party in late April was able to move two of his fingers on his right hand, according to his therapist.

Ryan Custer's mother posted the update on his recovery Facebook page, saying therapists saw him move his ring and little fingers, but his parents have yet to see the movement themselves.

Custer will also be moved to Craig Hospital in Denver, the family's choice rehab facility, after his time at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago. The family said Craig Hospital did not take patients on anti-rejection medication for stem cell, so it had to be temporarily ruled out while he underwent his experimental surgery and follow-up treatment.

They said therapy will be more individualized and Custer's workouts will come in a gym-like facility after the move, which works for him since he grew up playing on sports teams.

Custer also reportedly had another bout of C. diff, which was worse for him this time around, and has been having a lot of discomfort.

He's set to go to Rush on June 20 for follow-up before flying out to Denver the day after.

Custer was originally injured when he jumped into a makeshift pool and hit his head off someone's knee. His team has been out to Chicago to see him.

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Therapists say Ryan Custer moved two fingers on his right hand - WRGT TV Fox 45

Back from Mexico, Indian Land teen hopes she gave herself the gift of life – The Herald

By adminJune 17, 2017Stem Cell Doctors

The Herald

Back from Mexico, Indian Land teen hopes she gave herself the gift of life
The Herald
Later this month, Grace will go Houston to see Dr. Ian Butler, a pediatric neurologist who's been treating her since late last year, and Dr. Stanley Jones. They'll evaluate her condition since the first stem cell treatment, and hopefully prescribe ...

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Back from Mexico, Indian Land teen hopes she gave herself the gift of life - The Herald

In a first, Mumbai doctors use dad’s cells to fight blood disorder – Times of India

By adminJune 17, 2017Stem Cell Doctors

MUMBAI: Three-year-old Kinaya Shah was diagnosed with thalassemia at the tender age of three months and has been undergoing regular blood transfusions ever since. The only cure for thalassemia is a bone marrow transplant (BMT), a form of stem cell therapy. Typically, the donor of the stem cells would be a sibling of the patient such that the stem cells of the donor are a near perfect match to those of the patient. The only complication was that Kinaya was a lone child.

So, city doctors in a first used stem cells donated by Kinaya's father - who was only a half or haploidentical match - to cure the child of the blood disorder. "We went to Vellore, Bangalore and Pune but no one was willing to do the transplant without a full match donor," said Kinaya's parents, Aneri and Shripal Shah. They approached Dr Santanu Sen at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Andheri, in October of 2016, after reading about a similar surgery that he had performed.

While haploidentical bone marrow transplants are carried out to cure leukaemia, it has only been done about half a dozen times for thalassemia in a couple of Indian cities. ``Haploidentical transplants are gradually increasing because of better techniques,'' said Dr Sen.

Dr Sen has completed 36 BMTs in the last two years, of which 12 were haploidentical donors. ``But this is the first time that a haploidentical transplant has been done in western India to cure thalassemia,'' he said.

Chennai-based haematologist Dr Revathy Raja said that there is a 85% chance of cure in thalassemia with a fully matched donor. ``The success rate falls to 70% with a half-match or haploidentical donor. We have hence not started it at our Chennai centre. Hopefully, techniques will further improve in the coming years,'' she said.

In order to perform the surgery, Dr Sen conditioned Kinaya's immune system over three months, with slight chemotherapy, to increase the chances of her body accepting the graft. "We found that her father's stem cells were a 70% match through genetic tests and decided to use them for the transplant. In the case that the graft was rejected we froze a couple of Kinaya's stem cells as insurance. The positive is that children have lower rejection rates for foreign cells as they have barely developed any active immunity," said Dr Sen. "BMT is the most viable treatment to cure thalassemia, the only barrier thus far was the necessity of a full match donor," he added.

However, Vinay Shetty of NGO Think Foundation, which works for thalassemia patients, said that it would be prudent to wait for a statistically significant number of successful halploidentical transplants before recommending it to all patients.

Post the three months of conditioning, stem cells were collected from her father's bone marrow and the transplant was performed on May 10, 2017. After several tests to confirm that the graft was accepted, Kinaya was finally discharged from the hospital on June 13.

"The future of thalassemia treatment probably lies in gene therapy, but at the moment, haploidentical transplants have made BMT much more accessible," said Dr Sen, adding that he has two more cases such as Kinaya lined up. Kinaya is expected to be completely independent of medication and any trace of thalassemia in the coming six months.

What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder when the body produces abnormal hemoglobin. Patients require regular blood transplant and well as dietary control to ensure that blood irons level stay suppressed.

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In a first, Mumbai doctors use dad's cells to fight blood disorder - Times of India