Stem Cell Clinic

Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, University of Kansas …

By Stem Cell Medical Center

In 2013, the Kansas Legislature and Governor Sam Brownback approved the formation of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center (MSCTC). The center is housed within the University of Kansas Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kansas. The MSCTC is designed to serve as a hub of adult stem cell therapy, research, and education in the State of Kansas and the adjoining region.

The MSCTC faculty and staff include physicians, scientists, and trainees representing the fields of adult stem cell biology, neurology, oncology, hematology, cardiac and vascular, endocrine, and other subspecialties. These individuals represent several local and regional institutions, enabling the formation of a stem cell network of knowledge and information. This synergy among various institutions also fosters productive collaborations that may result in faster translation of basic science discoveries into the clinic.

It is because of this outstanding team of dedicated members, the MSCTC has made significant strides in the relatively short time since its inception. Indeed, the MSCTC now houses a fully functional GMP operation that has been processing cells for human therapy. One clinical trial with bone marrow cells has been initiated, and several future clinical trials with adult stem cells are in the start-up phase. In addition, cutting edge molecular stem cell research is being conducted by MSCTC scientists. These ongoing studies involve induced pluripotent stem cells, regulation of cellular differentiation, cord blood cells, as well as various transcription factors and other molecular pathways in adult stem cells.

Besides clinical trials and basic research, dissemination of information regarding adult stem cell treatment options for various diseases is a major goal of MSCTC. The web portals for these informational modules are currently under construction. In addition, the MSCTC is planning to expand the training of postdoctoral fellows in basic research in adult stem cell biology, as well as clinicians in adult stem cell-related topics. Our goal is to further broaden the multidisciplinary range of expertise available within MSCTC. Also related to education, the first Midwest Conference on Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine was held under the auspices of MSCTC in November 2013. This meeting was extremely well received by the varied audience. We intend to hold the 2014 meeting on Sep 19-20.

Despite this rapid progress, it should be recognized that the MSCTC is a very recent and rather nascent phenomenon. We have a very long way to go. At the same time, we are very stimulated by the support and enthusiasm surrounding the MSCTC - and remain firmly committed to promoting adult stem cell therapy and research - so that patients with often incurable diseases may have hope.

Thank you for visiting. We hope to count on your support toward improving lives with adult stem cells!

Buddhadeb Dawn, M.D. Director, Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center

Last modified: Apr 24, 2014

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BioTimes Subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. Demonstrates the Safety and Efficacy of OpRegen in Preclinical …

By Stem Cell Medical Center

We are very pleased with the safety data obtained in two animal species that demonstrate that OpRegen cells survive following transplantation for a long period of time and do not result in teratoma formation or any other type of pathology. The efficacy of the OpRegen cells was evaluated in the Royal College of Surgery rat model of retinal degeneration, which is a well-established animal model of retinal degeneration which has been extensively used to evaluate various potential cell therapies. The OpRegen cells were found to remain therapeutically functional over long periods and to maintain the animals visual performance that would normally decay over time in this disease model, said Benjamin Reubinoff, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Cell Cure and Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Hadassah Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Center at Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Furthermore, the protection of the animals vision from decay was dose dependent. As an additional indicator of therapeutic potential, the number of cone photoreceptors, which are responsible for fine vision in humans and are degenerating in the macula of dry-AMD patients, was found to remain constant over an extended period in the animal model.

We are very pleased with the progress that Cell Cures team has made in preparing for the companys FDA submission, said Charles S. Irving PhD, Cell Cures CEO. We look forward to initiating the clinical trial that will utilize for the first time high quality, xeno-free grade RPE cells for the treatment of geographic atrophy, the severe stage of dry-AMD.

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the major diseases of aging and is the leading cause of visual impairment in Americans 55 years of age and older. AMD affects the macula, which is the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision that is important for facial recognition, reading and driving. There are two forms of AMD. The dry form (dry-AMD) advances slowly and painlessly until it reaches the severe form called geographic atrophy (GA), which may result in legal blindness. About 10% of patients with dry-AMD develop wet-AMD, which is an acute disease and can lead to blindness in a matter of weeks. Wet-AMD can be treated with currently-marketed angiogenesis inhibitors such as Lucentis or Eylea, however, such products typically require frequent injections, and patients often continue to suffer from the continued progression of the underlying dry-AMD disease process. There is no FDA-approved treatment for dry-AMD for which some seven million people in the US have the intermediate form of the disease and have a high risk for developing GA. The market opportunity for a treatment for GA has been estimated at over $5 billion globally. Current estimated sales of angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of the wet form of AMD are estimated to be about $7 billion worldwide. The root cause of the larger problem of dry-AMD is believed to be the degeneration of a particular type of cell in the retina called "retinal pigment epithelial" (RPE) cells. One of the most exciting therapeutic approaches to dry-AMD is the transplantation of healthy, young RPE cells to replace the patients old degenerating RPE cells. One of the most promising sources of healthy RPE cells is from pluripotent stem cells.

About OpRegen

Cell Cure's OpRegen consists of RPE cells that are produced using a proprietary process that drives the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into high purity RPE cells. OpRegen is also xeno-free", meaning that no animal products were used either in the derivation and expansion of the human embryonic stem cells or in the directed differentiation process. The avoidance of the use of animal products eliminates some safety concerns. OpRegen is formulated as a suspension of RPE cells. Preclinical studies in mice have shown that OpRegen transplanted subretinally as a suspension of cells can rapidly organize into their natural monolayer structure and survive throughout the lifetime of the animal. OpRegen will be an off-the-shelf allogeneic product provided to retinal surgeons in a final formulation ready for transplantation. Unlike treatments that require multiple injections into the eye, such as currently-marketed products like Lucentis and Eylea for wet-AMD, it is expected that OpRegen will be administered in a single procedure.

About Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd.

Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. was established in 2005 as a subsidiary of ES Cell International Pte. Ltd. (ESI), now a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTX). Cell Cures second largest shareholder is HBL Hadasit Bio-Holdings, (TASE: HDST, OTC: HADSY). Cell Cure is located in Jerusalem, Israel on the campus of Hadassah Medical Center. Cell Cure's mission is to become a leading supplier of human cell-based therapies for the treatment of retinal and neural degenerative diseases. Its technology platform is based on the manufacture of diverse cell products sourced from clinical-grade (GMP-compatible) human embryonic stem cells. Its current focus is the development of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. Cell Cure's major shareholders include BioTime, Inc., HBL Hadasit Bio-Holdings Ltd., Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA), and Asterias Biotherapeutics (OTCBB: ASTY). Additional information about Cell Cure can be found on the web at http://www.cellcureneurosciences.com. A video of a presentation by Cell Cures CEO Dr. Charles Irving is available on BioTimes web site.

About BioTime

BioTime is a biotechnology company engaged in research and product development in the field of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine refers to therapies based on stem cell technology that are designed to rebuild cell and tissue function lost due to degenerative disease or injury. BioTimes focus is on pluripotent stem cell technology based on human embryonic stem (hES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. hES and iPS cells provide a means of manufacturing every cell type in the human body and therefore show considerable promise for the development of a number of new therapeutic products. BioTimes therapeutic and research products include a wide array of proprietary PureStem progenitors, HyStem hydrogels, culture media, and differentiation kits. BioTime is developing Renevia (a HyStem product) as a biocompatible, implantable hyaluronan and collagen-based matrix for cell delivery in human clinical applications, and is planning to initiate a pivotal clinical trial around Renevia, in 2014. In addition, BioTime has developed Hextend, a blood plasma volume expander for use in surgery, emergency trauma treatment and other applications. Hextend is manufactured and distributed in the U.S. by Hospira, Inc. and in South Korea by CJ HealthCare Corporation, under exclusive licensing agreements.

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BioTimes Subsidiary Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd. Demonstrates the Safety and Efficacy of OpRegen in Preclinical ...

NUI Galway in joint stem cell project with Mayo Clinic

By Stem Cell Clinic

Joint research projects by NUIG and the Mayo Clinic will focus on a number of key strategic areas, including adult stem-cell therapy, gene therapy, biomaterials and biomedical engineering, the two institutes have said. Illustration: Getty

NUI Galway and the Mayo Clinic in the US plan to collaborate on clinical trials using regenerative medicine, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutes.

The joint research projects will focus on a number of key strategic areas, including adult stem-cell therapy, gene therapy, biomaterials and biomedical engineering, the two institutes have said.

The Mayo Clinic and NUIGs Regenerative Medicine Institute have worked closely with each other for a number of years.

Both have licensed cell manufacturing facilities, and student and staff exchange programmes between Galway and the US will continue.

Welcoming the agreement, NUIG president Dr Jim Browne has noted that his university has Irelands only facility licensed to produce stem cells for human use.

A new clinical and translational research facility for conducting clinical trials with patients will be complete in early 2015, he said.

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NUI Galway in joint stem cell project with Mayo Clinic

Better way to track emerging cell therapies using MRIs

By Uncategorized

Cellular therapeutics -- using intact cells to treat and cure disease -- is a hugely promising new approach in medicine but it is hindered by the inability of doctors and scientists to effectively track the movements, destination and persistence of these cells in patients without resorting to invasive procedures, like tissue sampling.

In a paper published September 17 in the online journal Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and elsewhere describe the first human tests of using a perfluorocarbon (PFC) tracer in combination with non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track therapeutic immune cells injected into patients with colorectal cancer.

"Initially, we see this technique used for clinical trials that involve tests of new cell therapies," said first author Eric T. Ahrens, PhD, professor in the Department of Radiology at UC San Diego. "Clinical development of cell therapies can be accelerated by providing feedback regarding cell motility, optimal delivery routes, individual therapeutic doses and engraftment success."

Currently, there is no accepted way to image cells in the human body that covers a broad range of cell types and diseases. Earlier techniques have used metal ion-based vascular MRI contrast agents and radioisotopes. The former have proven difficult to differentiate in vivo; the latter raise concerns about radiation toxicity and do not provide the anatomical detail available with MRIs.

"This is the first human PFC cell tracking agent, which is a new way to do MRI cell tracking," said Ahrens. "It's the first example of a clinical MRI agent designed specifically for cell tracking."

Researchers used a PFC tracer agent and an MRI technique that directly detects fluorine atoms in labeled cells. Fluorine atoms naturally occur in extremely low concentrations in the body, making it easier to observe cells labeled with fluorine using MRI. In this case, the modified and labeled dendritic cells -- potent stimulators of the immune system -- were first prepared from white blood cells extracted from the patient. The cells were then injected into patients with stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer to stimulate an anti-cancer T-cell immune response.

The published study did not assess the efficacy of the cell therapy, but rather the ability of researchers to detect the labeled cells and monitor what happened to them. Ahrens said the technique worked as expected, with the surprising finding that only half of the delivered cell vaccine remained at the inoculation site after 24 hours.

"The imaging agent technology has been to shown to be able to tag any cell type that is of interest," Ahrens said. "It is a platform imaging technology for a wide range of diseases and applications," which might also speed development of relevant therapies.

"Non-invasive cell tracking may help lower regulatory barriers," Ahrens explained. "For example, new stem cell therapies can be slow to obtain regulatory approvals in part because it is difficult, if not impossible, with current approaches to verify survival and location of transplanted cells. And cell therapy trials generally have a high cost per patient. Tools that allow the investigator to gain a 'richer' data set from individual patients mean it may be possible to reduce patient numbers enrolled in a trial, thus reducing total trial cost."

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Better way to track emerging cell therapies using MRIs

New molecule allows for up to 10-fold increase in stem cell transplants

By Stem Cell Treatment

Investigators from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Universit de Montral have just published, in the journal Science, the announcement of the discovery of a new molecule, the first of its kind, which allows for the multiplication of stem cells in a unit of cord blood. Umbilical cord stem cells are used for transplants aimed at curing a number of blood-related diseases, including leukemia, myeloma and lymphoma. For many patients this therapy comprises a treatment of last resort.

Directed by Dr. Guy Sauvageau, principal investigator at IRIC and hematologist at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, the research has the potential to multiply by 10 the number of cord blood units available for a transplant in humans. In addition, it will considerably reduce the complications associated with stem cell transplantation. And it will be particularly useful for non-Caucasian patients for whom compatible donors are difficult to identify.

A clinical study using this molecule, named UM171 in honor of the Universit de Montral, and a new type of bioreactor developed for stem culture in collaboration with the University of Toronto will be initiated in December 2014 at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.

According to Dr. Guy Sauvageau, "This new molecule, combined with the new bioreactor technology, will allow thousands of patients around the world access to a safer stem cell transplant. Considering that many patients currently cannot benefit from a stem cell transplant for lack of matching donors, this discovery looks to be highly promising for the treatment of various types of cancer."

The Centre of Excellence for Cellular Therapy at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital will serve as production unit for these stem cells, and grafts will then be distributed to patients in Montreal, Quebec City and Vancouver for this first Canadian clinical study. Tangible results should be available one year later, that is, in December 2015. The significance of this new discovery is such that over time, conclusive clinical results could revolutionize the treatment of leukemia and other blood-related illnesses.

"These extraordinary advances result from the efforts of a remarkable team that includes extremely gifted students and postdoctoral investigators working in the IRIC laboratories," adds Dr. Guy Sauvageau. "Among them, the first authors of this publication: Iman Fars, doctoral student, and Jalila Chagraoui, research officer, along with the professionals in IRIC's medical chemistry core facility under the direction of Anne Marinier, who optimized the therapeutic properties of this new molecule."

Context

Umbilical cord blood from newborn children is an excellent source of hematopoietic stem cells for stem cell transplants, since their immune system is still immature and the stem cells have a lower probability of inducing an adverse immune reaction in the recipient.

Furthermore, it is not necessary for the immunological compatibility between donor and recipient to be perfect, unlike in a bone marrow transplant. However, in most cases the number of stem cells obtained from an umbilical cord is much too low for treating an adult, and its use is confined above all to the treatment of children. With the new molecule UM171 it will be possible to multiply stem cells in culture and to produce enough of them to treat adults, especially those who are not Caucasian, and who because of the lack of donors have limited access to transplants.

Collaborators from the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, the British Columbia Cancer Agency, the Ontario Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center also played an important role in evaluating the biological properties of this new molecule, and those from the University of Toronto in developing the bioreactor.

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New molecule allows for up to 10-fold increase in stem cell transplants

Worlds first tendon replacement using Nanofiber and activated MediVet Stem Cell Fraction

By Stem Cell Treatment

Friesland, Netherlands (PRWEB) September 20, 2014

MediVet America and NanoFiber Veterinary combined stem cell technologies to perform a groundbreaking surgery at the specialized Wolvega Horse Clinic.

Due to a serious incident, the mare's superficial digital flexor tendon was ruptured 90% and her deep digital flexor tendon 50%. Typically, this kind of injury is a death sentence for a horse.

The clinic has performed numerous successful MediVet America stem cell treatments. This revolutionary regenerative option for ruptured tendons has only been performed once in the United States, but the results were very promising. Together with MediVet's European team, two 20 cm long Nanofiber replacement tendons where created and seeded with MediVets patented activated Stem Cell Fraction. These first generation stem cells allow for acute treatment in-clinic.

Dr.s Don van Winkel and Aart Schutrups, two equine surgeons, performed the breakthrough procedure. Once on the operating table, they found the injury worse than expected. Dr.s van Winkel and Schutrups successfully connected the scaffolds seeded with the mares own stem cells to the remaining threads of original tendons. The two replacement tendons serve as scaffolds for the stem cells that where harvested through a liposuction technique and then isolated using MediVets patented in-clinic stem cell isolation and activation technology. Within the next few months, the stem cells will regenerate the lost tissue along the 3D Nanofiber scaffolds and restore functional tendons. After nine months the Nanofiber scaffolds will have been broken down and replaced by functional tendons. The Nanofiber scaffolds can also be used for extensive internal and external wounds, tendon and ligament injuries, bone regeneration and more.

About MediVet America: MediVet is a global leader in veterinary regenerative medicine with over 1,000 clinics practicing this incredible technology in the US, Mexico, Canada and 28 other countries. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, MediVet America develops advanced cellular treatments designed to maximize animal performance, repair, recovery and general wellness. MediVet America's Adipose-Derived Stem Cell procedure kit is a major scientific advancement in animal stem cell regenerative therapy that offers an affordable solution for owners of pets suffering from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, ligament and cartilage injuries and similar ailments. MediVets global initiatives include providing veterinarians around the world access to novel treatments based in science at an affordable cost to owners.

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Worlds first tendon replacement using Nanofiber and activated MediVet Stem Cell Fraction

Stem cell harvesting methods used by Sydney doctor Ralph …

By Stem Cell Doctors

Updated September 16, 2014 22:58:04

Serious questions have been raised about a stem cell doctor working in Western Sydney who charges $9,000 per procedure and uses methods that are untested by clinical trials.

An investigation by the ABC's 7.30 program has revealed that Dr Ralph Bright bought his liposuction-based technology from an American company.

The US company is now the subject of a multi-million dollar fraud action, which has revealed the cells being marketed as live were in fact dead.

Dr Bright, of Macquarie Stem Cells, is a former GP and self-taught cosmetic surgeon.

He has been working with stem cells for four years, treating more than 400 patients, including the late model Charlotte Dawson, cricketer Geoff Lawson and Olympic volleyballer Kerri Pottharst.

Dr Bright has licensed his methods to other practitioners around the country and because they use the patients' own cells he is not regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

When I say [stem cell therapy is] experimental, I mean we don't understand whether it is safe or effective in humans.

Stem cell science professor Martin Pera

Stem cells are often hailed as a miracle cure, but the nation's top stem cell scientists are warning that buyers should beware of these sorts of procedures, which are yet to be subjected to clinical trials.

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Stem Cell Children at BioKidz to benefit from child friendly recipes designed by TV Celebrity Health Food Chef, Sally …

By Stem Cell Medicine

(PRWEB UK) 18 September 2014

Sally Bee, whose children have their stem cells stored with specialist bank BioEden has just released videos and recipes for BioKidz, the children whose stem cells are stored with this specialist bank.

Sally appears regularly on British TV, and is a wonderful ambassador for all things health, given that her survival of 3 heart attacks in one week at a very young age, was put down to a healthy lifestyle.

Sally is a wonderful cook, who creates amazing food from simple fresh ingredients,and is supporting BioEden the tooth stem cell bank in their quest to bring stem cell medicine and science to children and to schools.

BioKidz was launched by BioEden in the UK just 2 days ago, and promotes healthy living for children who are members of BioKidz. The BioKidz site is a fun way for children to look inside a tooth stem cell laboratory, whilst not overlooking the all important basics of good food, an active lifestyle and having fun whilst growing up!

Sally will be promoting BioKidz in a special schools education programme which is to start in her home town later this month.

BioEden's CEO Tony Veverka said, 'I am delighted that Sally has chosen to support BioEden and BioKidz and I look forward to involving more schools not just in the UK, but around the world of the importance of stem cell banking.

Visit BioKidz by visiting the main BioEden website

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Stem Cell Children at BioKidz to benefit from child friendly recipes designed by TV Celebrity Health Food Chef, Sally ...

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