Editorial: Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine and Philippine Medical Association 1st Midyear Convention to be …

Two organizations of Filipino medical practitioners - the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM) - are partnering to come up with ideas to help professionalize and organize the practice of stem cell therapy in the Philippines during their 1st Midyear Convention at the Historic Landmark Manila Hotel on August 12-13, 2013.

With the theme ''Current Status of the Practice of Stem Cell Therapy in the Philippines,'' the convention is expected to take up various issues surrounding stem cell therapy, which, despite the controversies, is increasingly becoming popular for treatment of certain illnesses. Among the scheduled topics for discussion in the convention are Food and Drug Administration Circular on Stem Cell Products, DOH Stem Cell Guidelines, Current Trends on Stem Cell Therapy, Clinical Use of Autologous, Adipose Derived Stem Cells, Photo-Activated Platelet-Rich Plasma for Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Applications, Umbilical Cord Blood and Cord Tissue for Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy in the Philippines other than for Cancer Rejuvenation, and Quality Control in Cell Transplantation.

Administrative Order 2013-0012 issued by the Department of Health (DOH) rules on the practice of stem cell, cell-based therapy, and accreditation of health facilities engaging in the treatment in the Philippines. The Professional Regulation Commission Board of Medicine (PRCBOM) requires foreign doctors wishing to practice stem cell therapy in the country to get a special temporary permit, citing their education, training, and clinical experience.

The PMA, the country's premier medical organization, has 70,000 members in 118 component medical societies, eight specialty divisions, 73 specialty and subspecialty societies, and 39 affiliate societies all over the archipelago, who advocate professional advancement and promote public health. The newly founded PSSCM is composed of physicians doing stem cell therapy and transplant. It is working closely with DOH, PRCBOM, and PMA to regulate the practice of Stem Cell therapy and protect patients.

We congratulate the Philippine Medical Association, headed by its President Dr. Leo O. Olarte, and the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine, led by Dr. Rey Melchor F. Santos, in their coordinative efforts to educate and inform the public on the status of stem cell treatment as a novel medical approach in the Republic of the Philippines. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

Originally posted here:
Editorial: Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine and Philippine Medical Association 1st Midyear Convention to be ...

Stem cells to mass-produce cancer-killing treatment

Stem cells to mass-produce cancer-killing treatment

Monday, August 12, 2013

Stem cell technology can be used to mass-produce cancer-killing immune cells designed to target different kinds of tumour, scientists have shown.

By John von Radowitz

But in practice, T-cells that target and kill cancer cells while ignoring healthy cells are very rare, and progress towards immune-based cancer treatments has been limited.

The new approach provides a way to reprogramme T-cells and create large numbers of them off the shelf primed to attack specific cancers.

A small number of healthy human T-cells were first reprogrammed into malleable stem cells with embryonic properties, US scientists reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

These induced pluripotent stem cells were then engineered to produce a tumour-specific receptor molecule on their surfaces.

Finally, the stem cells were coaxed to reacquire their original T-cell properties while expanding to large numbers.

Each of the T-cells now had the all-important receptor that allowed it to target a particular cancer antigen or protein, in this case lymphoma.

The rest is here:
Stem cells to mass-produce cancer-killing treatment

Potential stem cell technology may harbour cancer cure

London, Aug 12 (ANI): Researchers have revealed that stem cell technology could lead to a faster treatment for cancer patients and reduce reliance on chemotherapy.

Dr Emma Smith, senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, said that the new discovery would also be more effective at stopping the disease from returning back by reprogramming cancer-fighting cells, the Daily Express reported.

Smith said that the technology effectively uses the body's own immune system and harnesses its power to attack the cancer cells.

The researcher said that it specifically targets the tumour cells and leaves the healthy ones alone, which means that it comes without any of the side effects with treatments like chemotherapy, which can be harsh for patients.

It takes white blood cells and transforms them into stem cells before being reprogrammed to fight the patient's cancer.

According to study's lead researcher Dr Michel Sadelain, of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the technique is very specific to the cancer cells themselves, which means fewer side effects.

Sadelain added that because they stay in the body, they are 'living drugs' and once present move around and stop recurrences.

The three-year research has been tested on mice. (ANI)

Read this article:
Potential stem cell technology may harbour cancer cure

Looking for a cure with stem cells

Medical science has progressed by leaps and bounds with the advent of stem cell therapy. Stem cell is a generic cell that has the potential to become many types of specialised cells for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

In stem cell treatment, the damaged tissues of the diseased part are replaced by new adult cells. Stem cells have the potential to divide and grow into multiple tissues and regenerate natural organs.

Stem cell therapy is the new realm of regenerative medicine for Diabetes Type 1, wound healing, Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, MI, MS, and many other terminal conditions.

Who can become a Stem Cell Therapist?

From a chief scientific officer to a lab assistant, opportunities are many for medical and non-medical students. There is a prevalent misconception that only medical professionals can become a stem cell therapist. In fact, stem cells cover a lot of ground, from molecular biology and biotechnology to cell transplantation and therapy. It means that people can come into stem cell biology from more or less any field. Candidates skilled in imaging are also eligible to become stem cells researchers or therapists.

As there is always need for more tools, an electrical engineer with knowledge of biology could also develop tools for in vitro or in vivo analysis of stem cells. But he should also have a complete understanding of cellular and molecular biology.

This emerging branch of biomedicine needs quality and trained manpower. Therefore, there is plenty of room for trained scientists.

Despite the specialisation, stem cell research requires the basics, as well. Therefore a stem cell therapist needs to have core knowledge of cellular and molecular biology understanding the lab techniques and the analytical approaches.

Multiple career option

Students have the option of pursuing courses such as M.Sc. in biotechnology, biochemistry, genetics, zoology, biophysics, microbiology and life sciences and M.Sc. regenerative. After completing the degree course, they have various options of quality check, research and development, production, clinical research, supply chain and human resources besides finance and other administrative functions.

Read the original:
Looking for a cure with stem cells

Stem-cell treatment not a cure-all, charging patients for clinical study unethical – 21 doc groups

By: Jet Villa, InterAksyon.com August 11, 2013 8:10 AM

REUTERS FILE PHOTO

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA - Twenty-one medical organizations have already signed a position statement, calling for stricter regulations of stem cell products and physicians doing the transplant.

These are the: Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine, Philippine Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Philippine Society of Nephrology, Philippine Neurological Society,

Philippine Society of General Surgeons, Philippine College of Surgeons, Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Diabetes Philippines, Philippine Society of General Medicine, Philippine Society for Vascular Surgery,

Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine Rheumatology Association, Philippine Society of Gastroenterology, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine, Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine, and Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons.

The groups have called on the Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to issue clearer regulations for stem cell therapy for practicing clinicians to safeguard the health of Filipinos.

Stem cell therapy for unproven indications is proliferating in the Philippines and posing serious safety issues to unknowing clients, they said.

(We are) alarmed by these uncontrolled practices which may include false claims, misinformation, and exorbitant fees, the added.

Go here to see the original:
Stem-cell treatment not a cure-all, charging patients for clinical study unethical - 21 doc groups

House panel trains sights on unregulated stem-cell therapy in PH

By: InterAksyon.com August 9, 2013 10:02 AM

InterAksyon.com The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - The controversy over unregulated stem cell procedures in the country, including the role of unlicensed foreign doctors, has reached Congress, from where several alleged victims of malpractice came. The vice chairman of the House blue-ribbon panel is set to deliver a privileged speech Monday ahead of hearings on the current state of things in the stem cell therapy practice in the country, where experts warned earlier the "fad-like" atmosphere poses serious threat to public health and safety.

Rep. Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro is expected to train his sights on, among others: the unethical practice of stem cell therapy without Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and on unapproved indications; the charging of exorbitant fees for still-experimental procedures; the criminal liabilities of doctors who prey on the miseries of desperate sick patients; a review of the potential conflict of interest, unethical conduct of self-promotion and violation of FDA rules in pushing stem cell therapy and charging of fees involving the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM).

Leachon wants the academe, ethics experts and the Philippine College of Physicians to shed light on the multidimensional controversy.

The House inquiry may also focus on the deaths of two congressmen who allegedly died after undergoing stem cell therapy; and the case of Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Antonio Villar, who developed adverse reactions.

Expected to be summoned to the House hearings, besides representatives of the PMA and PSSCM are officials of the FDA, Department of Health, PRC, Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Internal Revenue and other stakeholders.

Earlier this week, the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) served notice it would require special permits from foreign doctors who conduct stem cell procedures in the country. It warned that those failing to do so, as well as their local partners, face criminals charges for medical malpractice.

For his part, Leachon--saying a class suit is possible against doctors in cases where the stem cell therapy was found to have caused deaths and adverse reactions--encouraged patients victimized by "unscrupulous con artists and who developed side effects" to report to his office.

Leachon, a lawyer, was a TOYM awardee in public service in 2011.

See original here:
House panel trains sights on unregulated stem-cell therapy in PH

Andrew Madoff Battling Stage-Four Cancer, Receives Donor Infusion After Stem Cell Transplant

By Nicole Weisensee Egan

08/09/2013 at 04:15 PM EDT

On Wednesday, Madoff received a donor lymphocyte infusion in hopes of salvaging the stem cell transplant he received on May 29th, after several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to treat his mantle cell lymphoma.

"Things were humming along nicely, but then one of the components of the transplant started failing," he says. "We kind of waited it out a couple of weeks to see if it would fail entirely."

His situation did not improve, which led to the donor infusion on Tuesday.

"This will hopefully prevent it from failing," he says. "If they didn't do this, it would certainly have failed."

With doctors saying there is only a 50/50 chance that the infusion will work, Madoff insists he is trying to stay positive.

"It's hard. It's been a long road. I've been receiving treatment since January, and it's a lot," he says, ticking off, "Six rounds of chemotherapy, then radiation, then more chemo before the transplant, then the transplant itself."

Madoff, whose stage one cancer (confined to a single lymph node), was originally diagnosed in 2003, now has stage four cancer, which has spread throughout his body. He revealed his recurrence of the disease to PEOPLE earlier this year, after his condition had been diagnosed during his annual checkup last October.

He says that after the PEOPLE story ran he received hundreds of emails and letters of support from total strangers.

See the original post:
Andrew Madoff Battling Stage-Four Cancer, Receives Donor Infusion After Stem Cell Transplant

Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Repairing Brain Damage Even Hours After Stroke Occurs

Durham, NC (PRWEB) August 09, 2013

Stroke is a major health concern and is a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Despite significant research efforts, developing treatments that ensure complete recovery for stroke patients poses an extreme challenge, especially when more than a few hours have passed between onset of the stroke and administration of treatment.

However, a new study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine indicates that endothelial precursor cells, which are found in the bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and as very rare cells in peripheral blood, could make a significant difference for these patients recovery even in the later stages of stroke. In animal studies, the treatment minimized the initial brain injury and helped repair the stroke damage.

Previous studies indicated that stem/progenitor cells derived from human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) improved functional recovery in stroke models, noted Branislava Janic, Ph.D., a member of Henry Ford Health Systems Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory in Detroit and lead author of the study. We wanted to examine the effect of hUCB-derived AC133+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on stroke development and resolution in rats.

Dr. Janic and his team injected rats that had suffered strokes with the stem cells. When they later examined the animals using MRI, they found that the transplanted cells had selectively migrated to the injured area and that the stem cells stopped the tissue damage from spreading, instigated regeneration, and also affected the time course for stroke resolution. A significant decrease in lesion size also was observed, at a dose of 10 million cells, as early as seven days after the strokes onset.

This led us to conclude that cord blood-derived EPCs can significantly contribute to developing more effective treatments that allow broader time period for intervention, minimize the initial brain injury and help repair the damage in later post-stroke phases, Dr. Janic said.

The early signs of stroke are often unrecognized, and many patients cannot take advantage of clot-busting treatments within the required few hours after stroke onset, said Anthony Atala, M.D., editor of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. In this animal study, a combination of stem cells shows promise for healing stroke damage when administered 24 hours after the stroke. ###

The full article, Intravenous administration of human umbilical cord blood derived AC133+ endothelial progenitor cells in rat stroke model reduces infarct volume magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological findings, can be accessed at http://www.stemcellstm.com.

About STEM CELLS Translational Medicine: STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE (SCTM), published by AlphaMed Press, is a monthly peer-reviewed publication dedicated to significantly advancing the clinical utilization of stem cell molecular and cellular biology. By bridging stem cell research and clinical trials, SCTM will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best practices.

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS (http://www.StemCells.com), in its 31th year, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. The Oncologist (http://www.TheOncologist.com), also a monthly peer-reviewed publication, in its 18th year, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. All three journals are premier periodicals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.

Original post:
Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Repairing Brain Damage Even Hours After Stroke Occurs