Stem Cell Clinic

Ten years in, California's stem cell program is getting a reboot

By Stem Cell Treatment

Turning 10 years old may not quite mark adolescence for a human child, but for a major government research effort such as California's stem cell program, it's well past middle age.

So it's a little strange to hear C. Randal Mills, the new president and chief executive of the program known formally as the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, say it's time to instill in CIRM "a clear sense of mission."

But that's what Mills is planning for the coming year, as he launches CIRM 2.0, a comprehensive reboot of the program.

Mills, a former biotech company chief executive, took over as CIRM's president last May. His first task, he told me, was to "take a step back and look broadly at how we do our business." He reached the conclusion that "there was a lot of room for improvement."

That's a striking admission for a program that already has allocated roughly two-thirds of its original $3-billion endowment.

Biomedical researchers are sure to find a lot to like about CIRM 2.0, especially Mills' commitment to streamline the program's grant and loan approval process for projects aimed at clinical trials of potential therapies. Reviews of applications take about 22 months on average; Mills hopes to cut that to about three months. The process can be made more efficient without sacrificing science: "We need to do it quickly and also focus on quality," he says in a videotaped presentation on the CIRM website. The CIRM board last month approved a six-month, $50-million round of funding under the new system, all to be aimed at testing new therapies.

Yet the focus on drug development shows that CIRM remains a prisoner of the politics that brought it into existence. The Proposition 71 campaign in 2004 employed inflated promises of cures for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes and other therapy-resistant conditions to goad California voters into approving the $3-billion bond issue ($6 billion with interest) for stem cell research.

CIRM says it has funded clinical trials of 10 therapies and has backed an additional 87 projects "in the later stages of moving toward clinical trials." In scientific terms that's progress, but it may fall short of the public expectations of "cures" stoked by the initiative's promoters 10 years ago.

And that poses a political problem. At its current rate of grant and loan approvals of about $190 million a year, CIRM has enough funding to last until 2020. What happens after that is an open question, but any campaign to seek new public funding may depend on CIRM's having a successful therapy to show off to voters.

Mills says winning approval for more public funding isn't the goal of CIRM 2.0. "It's not our job at CIRM to extend the life of CIRM," he told me. Instead, he couches the need for urgency in terms of serving patients. As chief executive of Maryland-based Osiris Therapeutics, where he worked before joining CIRM, he says, he had "a firsthand view into the significance of stem cell treatment, and of how important urgency is in this game." Osiris received approval from the Food and Drug Administration and Canadian regulators for a stem cell drug to treat children with severe complications from bone marrow and other blood transplants.

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Ten years in, California's stem cell program is getting a reboot

Scientists explain how stem cells and 'bad luck' cause cancer

By Stem Cell Doctors

Why are some types of cancer so much more common than others? Sometimes its due to faulty genes inherited from ones parents and sometimes to behaviors like smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. But in most cases, it comes down to something else stem cells.

This is the intriguing argument made by a pair of researchers from Johns Hopkins University. In a study published Friday in the journal Science, they found a very high correlation between the differences in risk for 31 kinds of cancer and the frequency with which different types of stem cells made copies of themselves.

Just how strong was this link? On a scale that goes from 0 (absolutely no correlation) to 1 (exact correlation), biostatistician Cristian Tomasetti and cancer geneticist Bert Vogelstein calculated that it was at least a 0.8. When it comes to cancer, thats high.

No other environmental or inherited factors are known to be correlated in this way across tumor types, Tomasetti and Vogelstein wrote.

Researchers have long recognized that when cells copy themselves, they sometimes make small errors in the billions of chemical letters that make up their DNA. Many of these mistakes are inconsequential, but others can cause cells to grow out of control. That is the beginning of cancer.

The odds of making a copying mistake are believed to be the same for all cells. But some kinds of cells copy themselves much more often than others. Tomasetti and Vogelstein hypothesized that the more frequently a type of cell made copies of itself, the greater the odds that it would develop cancer.

The pair focused on stem cells because of their outsized influence in the body. Stem cells can grow into many kinds of specialized cells, so if they contain damaged DNA, those mistakes can spread quickly.

The researchers combed through the scientific literature and found studies that described the frequency of stem cell division for 31 different tissue types. Then they used data from the National Cancer Institutes Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database to assess the lifetime cancer risk for each of those tissue types. When they plotted the total number of stem cell divisions against the lifetime cancer risk for each tissue, the result was 31 points clustered pretty tightly along a line.

To put this notion in concrete terms, consider the skin. The outermost layer of the skin is the epidermis, and the innermost layer of the epidermis contains a few types of cells. Basal epidermal cells are the ones that copy themselves frequently, with new cells pushing older ones to the skins surface. Melanocytes are charged with making melanin, the pigment that protects the skin from the suns damaging ultraviolet rays.

When sunlight hits bare skin, both basal epidermal cells and melanocytes get the same exposure to UV. But basal cell carcinoma is far more common than melanoma about 2.8 million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year, compared with roughly 76,000 new cases of melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. A major reason for this discrepancy, Tomasetti and Vogelstein wrote, is that epidermal stem cells divide once every 48 days, while melanocytes divide only once every 147 days.

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Scientists explain how stem cells and 'bad luck' cause cancer

Two-thirds of adult cancers largely down to bad luck rather than genes

By Stem Cell Medicine

Colon cancer cell. Colon tissue undergoes four times more stem cell divisions than small intestine tissue in humans, and is much more prevalent. Photograph: Micro Discovery/Corbis

Good luck, rather than good genes, may be the key reason why some people are protected from certain cancers while others develop the disease, according to a new study.

Two-thirds of adult cancers, say the researchers from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in the United States, are caused by random mutation in the tissue cells during the ordinary process of stem cell division. In the other third, our genetic inheritance and lifestyles are the main factors.

The scientists have created a mathematical model which, they say, shows it is wrong to assume that there are such things as good genes that may prevent us getting cancer even though we smoke, drink heavily and carry excessive weight.

All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, and weve created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development, says Bert Vogelstein, the Clayton professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University school of medicine and one of the authors of the paper published in the journal Science. Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their good genes, but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck.

The scientists looked at how often stem cell division, the normal process of cell renewal, takes place in 31 different tissue types, to find out whether the sheer number of divisions can lead to more mistakes or DNA mutations occurring. They did not look at tissues from two of the commonest forms of cancer breast and prostate which are known to have particular environmental triggers, such as obesity. These were not included because they could not find reliable data on the normal division rate of stem cells in these tissues.

Our study shows, in general, that a change in the number of stem cell divisions in a tissue type is highly correlated with a change in the incidence of cancer in that same tissue, said Vogelstein. One example, he says, is in colon tissue, which undergoes four times more stem cell divisions than small intestine tissue in humans. Likewise, colon cancer is much more prevalent than small intestinal cancer.

It could be argued, they say, that the colon is exposed to more environmental factors than the small intestine but they point out that the opposite is true for mice, which have more stem cell divisions and a higher rate of cancer in their small intestines than in their colon.

The scientists say that bad luck plays a stronger role in some cancers than in others. In two-thirds of the cancers 22 cancer types random mutations in genes that drive cancer could explain why the disease occurred. The other nine cancers occurred more often than the random mutation rate would predict, suggesting that inherited genes or lifestyle factors were the main cause. They included lung cancer, where smoking is the major cause, and skin cancer, which can be triggered by sun exposure.

Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Friday, co-author biomathematician Dr Cristian Tomasetti, also from Johns Hopkins University, said: Im not claiming any cancers, overall across the population, are the result of pure chance, but what I am claiming is there are some tissues for example blood cancer where there is very little evidence of any hereditary or environmental factor.

Original post:
Two-thirds of adult cancers largely down to bad luck rather than genes

Two-thirds of adult cancers largely due to bad luck, study suggests

By Stem Cell Medicine

Lifestyle choices and genetics are big risk factors for certain cancers, but a new study concludes that the majority of cancer incidence is due mostly to bad luck when our cells divide.

The study comes from scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center who created a statistical model to measure the proportion of cancer cases that are caused mainly by random DNA mutations during stem cell division.

By their calculations, two-thirds of adult cancer incidents can be explained by bad luck when stem cells divide.

All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, says lead researcher Dr. Bert Vogelstein, a professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Weve created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development, he said in a statement.

Cancer occurs when stem cells in tissues make random mistakes, or mutations, during the replication process in cell division. The more that these mutations accumulate, the higher the risk that cells will begin to grow, unchecked, into tumours.

But Vogelstein says it's never been clearly understood how much of a contribution these random mistakes made to cancer incidence, compared to genetic inheritance, lifestyle, or environmental factors.

So they focused on 31 tissue types, looking at the number of stem cell divisions in each cancer. They then compared these rates with lifetime cancer risk among the same cancer types in the American population.

Significantly, they did not include breast cancer and prostate cancer in their study, even though these are two of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among adults. The researchers explained that they could not find reliable stem cell division rates on these cancer types.

Of the 31 cancer types they did look at, they found that 22 could be largely explained by the bad luck factor of random DNA mutations during cell division.

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Two-thirds of adult cancers largely due to bad luck, study suggests

Two-thirds of cancers are due to "bad luck"

By Stem Cell Medical Center

(CBS) - Although about one-third of cancers can be linked to environmental factors or inherited genes, new research suggests the remaining two-thirds may be caused by random mutations.

These mutations take place when stem cells divide, according to the study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Stem cells regenerate and replace cells that die off. If stem cells make random mistakes and mutate during this cell division, cancer can develop. The more of these mistakes that happen, the greater a person's risk that cells will grow out of control and develop into cancer, the study authors explained in a Hopkins news release.

Although unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, are a contributing factor, the researchers concluded that the "bad luck" of random mutations plays a key role in the development of many forms of cancer.

"All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, and we've created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development," said Dr. Bert Vogelstein, professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their 'good genes,' but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck," added Vogelstein, who is also co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The researchers said their findings might not only change the way people perceive their risk for cancer, but also funding for cancer research.

Cristian Tomasetti is a biomathematician and assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. "If two-thirds of cancer incidence across tissues is explained by random DNA mutations that occur when stem cells divide, then changing our lifestyle and habits will be a huge help in preventing certain cancers, but this may not be as effective for a variety of others," Tomasetti said in the news release.

"We should focus more resources on finding ways to detect such cancers at early, curable stages," Tomasetti suggested.

For the study, the investigators looked at previous studies for the number of stem cell divisions in 31 different body tissue types and compared those rates to the lifetime risk of cancer in those areas.

The researchers said they weren't able to include some major forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, due to a lack of reliable research on the rate of stem cell division in those areas.

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Two-thirds of cancers are due to "bad luck"

Random Mutations Responsible for About Two-Thirds of Cancer Risk: Study

By Stem Cell Medical Center

THURSDAY, Jan. 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Although about one-third of cancers can be linked to environmental factors or inherited genes, new research suggests the remaining two-thirds may be caused by random mutations.

These mutations take place when stem cells divide, according to the study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Stem cells regenerate and replace cells that die off. If stem cells make random mistakes and mutate during this cell division, cancer can develop. The more of these mistakes that happen, the greater a person's risk that cells will grow out of control and develop into cancer, the study authors explained in a Hopkins news release.

Although unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, are a contributing factor, the researchers concluded that the "bad luck" of random mutations plays a key role in the development of many forms of cancer.

"All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, and we've created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development," said Dr. Bert Vogelstein, professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their 'good genes,' but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck," added Vogelstein, who is also co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The researchers said their findings might not only change the way people perceive their risk for cancer, but also funding for cancer research.

Cristian Tomasetti is a biomathematician and assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. "If two-thirds of cancer incidence across tissues is explained by random DNA mutations that occur when stem cells divide, then changing our lifestyle and habits will be a huge help in preventing certain cancers, but this may not be as effective for a variety of others," Tomasetti said in the news release.

"We should focus more resources on finding ways to detect such cancers at early, curable stages," Tomasetti suggested.

For the study, the investigators looked at previous studies for the number of stem cell divisions in 31 different body tissue types and compared those rates to the lifetime risk of cancer in those areas.

The researchers said they weren't able to include some major forms of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer, due to a lack of reliable research on the rate of stem cell division in those areas.

Original post:
Random Mutations Responsible for About Two-Thirds of Cancer Risk: Study

Two-thirds of cancers are due to "bad luck," study finds

By Stem Cell Medical Center

16 hours 58 minutes ago by Mary Elizabeth Dallas - CBS News

Although about one-third of cancers can be linked to environmental factors or inherited genes, new research suggests the remaining two-thirds may be caused by random mutations.

These mutations take place when stem cells divide, according to the study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Stem cells regenerate and replace cells that die off. If stem cells make random mistakes and mutate during this cell division, cancer can develop. The more of these mistakes that happen, the greater a person's risk that cells will grow out of control and develop into cancer, the study authors explained in a Hopkins news release.

Although unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, are a contributing factor, the researchers concluded that the "bad luck" of random mutations plays a key role in the development of many forms of cancer.

"All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity, and we've created a model that may help quantify how much of these three factors contribute to cancer development," said Dr. Bert Vogelstein, professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

"Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their 'good genes,' but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck," added Vogelstein, who is also co-director of the Ludwig Center at Johns Hopkins and an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

The researchers said their findings might not only change the way people perceive their risk for cancer, but also funding for cancer research.

Cristian Tomasetti is a biomathematician and assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health. "If two-thirds of cancer incidence across tissues is explained by random DNA mutations that occur when stem cells divide, then changing our lifestyle and habits will be a huge help in preventing certain cancers, but this may not be as effective for a variety of others," Tomasetti said in the news release.

"We should focus more resources on finding ways to detect such cancers at early, curable stages," Tomasetti suggested.

For the study, the investigators looked at previous studies for the number of stem cell divisions in 31 different body tissue types and compared those rates to the lifetime risk of cancer in those areas.

Here is the original post:
Two-thirds of cancers are due to "bad luck," study finds

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) Stock Hits One-Year High Today

By Uncategorized

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Shares of Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) surged more than 75% to a 52-week high of $8.47 on Fridayahead of the biotech company's data release on Monday.

Brainstorm intends to release the final results from its Phase 2a trial of its stem cell therapy NurOwn. The company describes NurOwn as an "autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology" designed to treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The company will host a conference call on Monday to discuss the results.

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Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) Stock Hits One-Year High Today

Neuralstem (CUR) Stock Rises Today as Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Soars

By Uncategorized

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares ofNeuralstem (CUR) continue to rise, up 6.25% to $2.89, in morning trading Friday in sympathy with peer company Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI) , which touched a one-year high on Friday.

Brainstorm intends to release the final results from its Phase 2a trial of its stem cell therapy NurOwn on Monday. The company describes NurOwn as an "autologous, adult stem cell therapy technology" designed to treat ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

The company will host a conference call on Monday to discuss the results.

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Neuralstem (CUR) Stock Rises Today as Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Soars

Stem Cell Therapy Fixes Post-Surgical Airway Abnormality

By Stem Cell Treatment

By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 31, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Using stem cells derived from a patient's own bone marrow, researchers have repaired a fistula -- a potentially fatal tissue abnormality -- in the man's lower airway.

"This is another interesting new therapeutic approach for stem cells," said lead researcher Dr. Francesco Petrella, deputy director of thoracic surgery at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy.

The patient, a 42-year-old firefighter, developed the fistula after surgeons removed a lung as part of treatment for mesothelioma cancer. A fistula is abnormal tissue connecting an organ, blood vessel or intestine to another structure. In this case, the fistula developed between the lower airway and the tissue that surrounds the lungs.

"Our clinical experience supports the idea that stem cells could be effectively used to close some tissue defects developing after very complex surgical procedures, thus restoring a functioning airway," Petrella said.

A fistula that develops after chest surgery is serious and even deadly, Petrella said. Current treatments involve removing ribs and taking medications for months or years, he explained.

"Less invasive approaches like endoscopic glue injections have only poor results, so our proposed techniques could improve quality of life in these patients," Petrella said.

Sixty days after stem cell therapy, the firefighter's fistula was healed, the researchers said. The hole seen before stem cell therapy was no longer visible, having been replaced by new tissue created by the stem cell implant, they explained.

Some people are born with a fistula. Other causes of fistulas include complications from surgery, injury, infection and diseases, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Petrella believes that this same stem cell technique could be used to treat fistulas that develop elsewhere in the body.

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Stem Cell Therapy Fixes Post-Surgical Airway Abnormality

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