Stem Cell Clinic

Time to legislate on stem cells – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

May 20

The news of another breakthrough in Oregon in stem-cell technology the cloning of embryos using human tissues and then the ability to harvest stem cells from them opens up new possibilities in the personalisation of therapeutic cloning. But, closer to home, it serves to draw attention once again to the lacunae in Irish law that have left most of a field of fast-developing research and the whole area of assisted reproduction unregulated, Irish scientists unable to pursue cutting edge science, funding withheld, and potential patients vulnerable to unscrupulous scientists.

Ironically the breakthrough comes as our legislators battle with abortion legislation. Both issues, tied up as they are with thorny ethical issues around where life begins and when and how embryos acquire rights, are equally politically toxic. Both have also been the subject of urgent injunctions from the frustrated courts to politicians to fulfil their responsibility to legislate. Both, crucially, also require a willingness and courage on the part of politicians to move beyond absolutist moral positions to a new legislative ethics based on pluralist values and real social needs .

Having grasped one nettle, abortion legislation, is it too much to ask our politicians to do the same with bioethics stem cell research and provision for assisted reproduction, specifically in-vitro fertilisation (IVF)? Two reports, from the Government- appointed Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and from the Irish Council for Bioethics, the first going back to 2005, proposed practical, conservative, guidelines for legislation that respect most of the sensitivities around ethical concerns over the production of embryos for research purposes. Crucially, they would limit researchers to using embryos that are surplus to requirements in the IVF process and which would otherwise be discarded/destroyed.

In the interim the Supreme Court in Roche v Roche (2009) has facilitated such legislation by clarifying the point at which it views the foetus as acquiring constitutional protection implantation in the womb. Any earlier and embryonic stem cell research, IVF, and contraceptives based on preventing implantation, including the day-after pill, would have been prohibited. Of course, the absence of a constitutional protection for the early embryo does not mean an easy consensus will be reached. As the abortion debate has shown, many are only too willing to challenge and flatly deny the courts interpretations, but its thoughtful ruling in Roche can provide a coherent rationale for the emerging middle ground of legislators and for carefully limited legislative provision for stem cell research and assisted reproduction.

It understood that legislation is currently being drafted by the Department of Health. It is now long overdue.

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Time to legislate on stem cells – Stem Cell Cafe

Scientists clone human stem cells for the first time – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

For all its promise, embryonic stem cell research has been slow going in the last few decades. Ethical quandaries and scientific difficulty have conspired to keep the next big advance just out of reach, but a new study published this week in the journal Cell could kick off a new age of interest in stem cell therapies. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have managed to clone human embryonic stem cells using unfertilized eggs and human skin cells.

The process is very similar to the method used over a decade ago to clone Dolly the sheep, but the aim here was not to produce a human clone. Rather, scientists wanted to make a line of stem cells that would not be rejected by a recipients own immune system, In fact, according to Professor Shoukhrat Mitalipov from Oregon Health & Science University, it is unlikely the embryos used in the study had any hope of developing into viable human clones.

To create these new stem cell lines, researchers removed the DNA from donated unfertilized human eggs. A skin cell from a different individual was then inserted into the egg cell. The trick that made this advance possible is in finding a way to entice that cell to begin dividing. Mitalipov and his team eventually found that exposure to precisely-timed electric pulses and a chemical bath with a bit of caffeine did the trick.

The result is a small bundle of embryonic stem cells that match the genotype of the skin cell donor, not the egg donor. Stem cells created in this process are known as pluripotent, because they can differentiate to become a wide variety of cell types. They could conceivably be turned into cardiac muscle, nerve cells, pancreatic cells, or any number of other tissues to treat disease.

Additionally, the maturation process is well established for the cells in this study. They actually appear to become functional adult cells when harvested. Researchers even managed to create cardiac cells that contract just like the real thing. Previous stem cell discoveries using only regressed skin cells come with many unanswered questions, thus the continued use of human embryos.

Having a way to manufacture stem cells that match a persons DNA is revolutionary in stem cell therapy. If you implant cells that dont match someones genotype, they are likely to be rejected. This is why transplant patients must take immunosuppressive drugs. This process could lead to treatments where doctors create new tissues to treat patients that are essentially their own cells.

Other researchers are anxious to attempt the process themselves, and hopefully confirm Mitalipovs results. The entire paper is online if you want to check it out.

Now read:Scientists end our dreams of cloning dinosaurs

Excerpt from: Scientists clone human stem cells for the first time

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Scientists clone human stem cells for the first time – Stem Cell Cafe

Researchers make embryonic stem cells from skin – Stem Cell Cafe

By Stell Cell Research

US researchers have reported a breakthrough in stem cell research, describing how they have turned human skin cells into embryonic stem cells for the first time.

The method described Wednesday by Oregon Health and Science University scientists in the journal Cell, would not likely be able to create human clones, said Shoukhrat Mitalipov, senior scientist at the Oregon National Primate Research Center.

But it is an important step in research because it does not require the use of embryos in creating the type of stem cell capable of transforming into any other type of cell in the body.

The technique involves transplanting an individuals DNA into an egg cell that has been stripped of genetic material, a variation of a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer.

A thorough examination of the stem cells derived through this technique demonstrated their ability to convert just like normal embryonic stem cells, into several different cell types, including nerve cells, liver cells and heart cells, said Mitalipov.

He added that since the reprogrammed cells use genetic material from the patient, there is no concern about transplant rejection.

While there is much work to be done in developing safe and effective stem cell treatments, we believe this is a significant step forward in developing the cells that could be used in regenerative medicine, Mitalipov said.

Another advantage of this approach is that it does not use fertilized embryos to obtain stem cells, a technique that raises major ethical issues because the embryo is destroyed.

Since the birth of the sheep Dolly in 1996 in the United Kingdom, the first cloned animal, researchers have cloned some 20 species including goats and rabbits, but never monkeys or primates whose biologies and reproduction is more complex.

Years of research on monkey cells using the same technique have not successfully produced any monkey clones.

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Researchers make embryonic stem cells from skin – Stem Cell Cafe

Researchers' embryonic stem-cell advance decried as morally troubling

By Stem Cell Treatment

Washington

As Oregon scientists announced Wednesday they had successfully converted human skin cells into embryonic stem cells, the chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities warned that the technique is morally troubling on many levels.

Scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center announced they had successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells, which are capable of transforming into other types of cells that could replace those damaged by illness or injury.

Many news reports on the announcement referred to the research as human cloning, but the university's release and a full report on the work in Cell magazine carefully avoided the term, except to say taking the work in the direction of reproductive cloning is unlikely.

The Oregon research team developed the unfertilized embryonic cells to seven days' growth in a lab. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston, who chairs the bishops' committee, said the process created and destroyed more than 120 human embryos, which the church considers human life that must be protected.

"Creating new human lives in the laboratory solely to destroy them is an abuse denounced even by many who do not share the Catholic Church's convictions on human life," O'Malley's statement said. He also decried the conditions to which the women who volunteered for the experiment were subjected to increase the number of eggs they produced, saying it "put their health and fertility at risk."

The researchers said their goal is to produce genetically matched stem cells for research and possible therapies, but O'Malley said the same goals can be achieved "by scientific advances that do not pose these grave moral wrongs."

Research using adult stem cells, or those derived after someone is born, as opposed to cells from embryos has provided promising possibilities for treating some illnesses or injuries. The reprogrammed stem cells can be used to replace damaged cells.

A statement from the university said the process announced Wednesday "is a variation of a commonly used method called somatic cell nuclear transfer. ... It involves transplanting the nucleus of one cell, containing an individual's DNA, into an egg cell that has had its genetic material removed. The unfertilized egg cell then develops and eventually produces stem cells."

Although the university's explanation of the breakthrough noted the research "does not involve the use of fertilized embryos, a topic that has been the source of a significant ethical debate," that doesn't address the Catholic church's moral objections.

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Researchers' embryonic stem-cell advance decried as morally troubling

Cytomedix to Present at the World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013

By Stem Cell Treatment

GAITHERSBURG, MD--(Marketwired - May 17, 2013) - Cytomedix, Inc. (OTCQX: CMXI), a regenerative therapies company commercializing and developing innovative platelet and adult stem cell technologies, announced today that Edward Field, the Company's Chief Operating Officer, has been invited to make a presentation on Partnering & Collaboration at the World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013, which will be held May 21-23, 2013 in London, United Kingdom.

Presentation Details

Time: Tuesday, May 21, 2013 @ 11:55am BST (6:55 am EST)

Track Title: Commercialisation through Collaboration: What Does Partnering In This Industry Actually Look Like?

Location: Victoria Park Plaza Hotel, London, UK

During the presentation, Mr. Field will highlight Cytomedix's two collaborations that are advancing clinical stage therapies.The first is a collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) for conduct of the PACE study, an 80 patient, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to look at the safety and efficacy of ALD-301 in peripheral artery disease patients diagnosed with intermittent claudication.This is the first ever randomized clinical trial to look at the benefits of autologous stem cell therapy in this indication.The second collaboration is with Duke University Medical Center, which is conducting a Phase 1 clinical study with ALD-451 in patients that have been treated for glioblastomas, which is the most aggressive form of brain cancer.This open-label study is designed to enroll up to 12 patients and is intended to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of ALD-451 when administered intravenously in patients with grade IV malignant glioma following surgery, radiation therapy and treatment with temozolomide.

About the World Stem Cells Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013The World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013 is Europe's largest and most senior conference for the stem cell research and regenerative medicine community.It is now in its 8th year. Topics covered will include streamlining clinical development, commercialising a stem cell-based therapy and exploiting alternative sources of funding. For more information please visit: http://www.terrapinn.com/2013/stemcells/index.stm.

About Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix, Inc. is a fully integrated regenerative medicine company commercializing and developing innovative platelet and adult stem cell separation products that enhance the body's natural healing processes. The Company's advanced autologous technologies offer clinicians a new treatment paradigm for wound and tissue repair. The Company's patient-derived PRP systems are marketed by Cytomedix in the U.S. and distributed internationally. Our commercial products include the AutoloGel System, cleared by the FDA for wound care and the Angel Whole Blood Separation System. The Company is developing novel regenerative therapies using our proprietary ALDH Bright Cell ("ALDH") technology to isolate a unique, biologically active population of a patient's own stem cells. A Phase 2 trial evaluating the use of ALDHbr for the treatment of ischemic stroke is underway. For additional information please visit http://www.cytomedix.com.

Safe Harbor Statement - Statements contained in this press release not relating to historical facts are forward-looking statements that are intended to fall within the safe harbor rule for such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The information contained in the forward-looking statements is inherently uncertain, and Cytomedix' actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond Cytomedix' ability to predict or control, including among many others, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to successfully execute its Angel and AutoloGel sales strategies, to achieve AutoloGel expected reimbursement rates in 2013, to meet its stroke trial enrollment rates, the Company's ability to successfully integrate the Aldagen acquisition, the Company's ability to expand patient populations as contemplated, its ability to provide Medicare patients with access as expected, the Company's expectations of favorable future dialogue with potential strategic partners, and its ability to successfully manage contemplated clinical trials, to manage and address the capital needs, human resource, management, compliance and other challenges of a larger, more complex and integrated business enterprise, viability and effectiveness of the Company's sales approach and overall marketing strategies, commercial success or acceptance by the medical community, competitive responses, the Company's ability to raise additional capital and to continue as a going concern, and Cytomedix's ability to execute on its strategy to market the AutoloGel System as contemplated. To the extent that any statements made here are not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking. The Company uses words and phrases such as "believes," "forecasted," "projects," "is expected," "remain confident," "will" and/or similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements in this press release. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ from the forward-looking statements. More information about some of these risks and uncertainties may be found in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Cytomedix, Inc. Cytomedix operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing business and regulatory environment, thus new or unforeseen risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Except as is expressly required by the federal securities laws, Cytomedix undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances or future events or for any other reason. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2012, as amended to date, and other subsequent filings. These filings are available at http://www.sec.gov.

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Cytomedix to Present at the World Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2013

Stem-Cell-Based Strategy Boosts Immune System in Mice

By Stem Cell Treatment

UCSF Study Holds Promise for Treatment

Newswise Raising hopes for cell-based therapies, UC San Francisco researchers have created the first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells, in the laboratory. The researchers showed that, in mice, the tissue can be used to foster the development of white blood cells the body needs to mount healthy immune responses and to prevent harmful autoimmune reactions.

The scientists who developed the thymus cells which caused the proliferation and maturation of functioning immune cells when transplanted said the achievement marks a significant step toward potential new treatments based on stem-cell and organ transplantation, as well as new therapies for type-1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases, and for immunodeficiency diseases.

Starting with human embryonic stem cells, UCSF researchers led by Mark Anderson, MD, PhD, an immunologist, and Matthias Hebrok, PhD, a stem-cell researcher and the director of the UCSF Diabetes Center, used a unique combination of growth factors to shape the developmental trajectory of the cells, and eventually hit upon a formula that yielded functional thymus tissue.

The result, reported in the May 16, 2013 online edition of the journal Cell Stem Cell, is functioning tissue that nurtures the growth and development of the white blood cells known as T cells. T cells are a central immune cell population that responds to specific disease pathogens and also prevents the immune system from attacking the bodys own tissues.

The thymus might be a bit obscure to the layperson its a small gland at the top of the chest beneath the breastbone but it is in no way expendable, as individuals with defective thymus function succumb to infection early in life.

Given the invasive nature of cell therapy, which remains completely experimental, the first treatments using laboratory-derived thymus tissue would likely be studied in patients with fatal diseases for which there are no effective treatments, Anderson said. For example, one early treatment might be for the genetic disease DeGeorge syndrome, in which some newborns are born without a thymus gland and die in infancy.

However, a potentially greater impact may be in the area of tissue transplantation, a goal of the emerging field of stem-cell based therapies. Stem-cell-based therapies now are limited by the potential for the immune system to reject transplanted stem cells, Anderson said. For transplantation, stem cells might be coaxed down two developmental pathways simultaneously, to form both thymus tissue and a replacement organ. Transplantation of both might overcome the rejection barrier without the need for harmful immunosuppression, according to Anderson.

The thymus is an environment in which T cells mature, and where they also are instructed on the difference between self and non-self, Anderson said. Some T cells are prepared by the thymus to attack foreign invaders including transplants, while T cells that would attack our own tissues normally are eliminated in the thymus.

In the same vein, thymus tissue might one day be used to retrain the immune system in autoimmune diseases in which the immune system abnormally attacks self, thereby enhancing recognition and protecting from immune destruction.

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Stem-Cell-Based Strategy Boosts Immune System in Mice

Stem Cell Therapeutics to Begin Trading on the U.S. OTCQX Marketplace

By Stem Cell Treatment

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 16, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related technologies, today announced that the Company's stock will trade on OTCQX International under the symbol "SCTPF" starting May 20. OTCQX is the premier U.S. Over-The-Counter marketplace, allowing international companies increased access and exposure to the U.S. market.

Roth Capital Partners will be the market maker for Stem Cell Therapeutics' stock and will also serve as the Company's Principal American Liaison (PAL) on OTCQX, responsible for providing guidance on OTCQX requirements and U.S. securities laws. Roth Capital Partners is an investment banking firm dedicated to the small-cap public market and has been an innovator in this market since its inception in 1984.

"The U.S. capital markets are critically important in assuring viability of life sciences companies internationally and we undertake this step as part of a deliberate and long-term strategy," commented Stem Cell Therapeutics' Chairman David Allan. "The admission to the OTCQX is one of several undertakings that the company committed to complete this year. The acquisition of Trillium, the in-licensing of the tigecycline program and the recent completion of dosing in the interstitial cystitis trial are among the others."

About Stem Cell Therapeutics:

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SCT), a Toronto-based biopharmaceutical company, is Canada's only public company dedicated to advancing cancer stem cell discoveries into novel and innovative cancer therapies. Building on over half a century of leading and groundbreaking Canadian stem cell research, the company is supported by established links to multiple Toronto academic institutes and oncology treatment centers that represent one of the world's most acclaimed cancer research hubs. SCT's lead clinical program, which targets a metabolic pathway in leukemia blasts and leukemic stem cells, is currently being evaluated in a multi-centre Phase I study in patients with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The Company also has two premier preclinical programs, SIRPaFc and a CD200 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which target two key immunoregulatory pathways that tumor cells exploit to evade the host immune system. SIRPaFc is an antibody-like fusion protein that blocks the activity of CD47, a molecule that is upregulated on cancer stem cells in AML and several other tumors. The CD200 mAb is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of CD200, an immunosuppressive molecule that is overexpressed by many hematopoietic and solid tumors. For more information, visit: http://www.stemcellthera.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect SCT's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include changing market conditions; the successful and timely completion of pre-clinical and clinical studies; the establishment of corporate alliances; the impact of competitive products and pricing; new product development risks; uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process or the ability to obtain drug product in sufficient quantity or at standards acceptable to health regulatory authorities to complete clinical trials or to meet commercial demand; and other risks detailed from time to time in SCT's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. Except as required by applicable securities laws, SCT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Stem Cell Therapeutics to Begin Trading on the U.S. OTCQX Marketplace

Cell Cure Neurosciences awarded $1.5m Chief Scientist grant

By Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell company Cell Cure Neurosciences has been awarded a NIS 5.34 million (about $1.5 million) grant for 2013 from Israels Chief Scientist at the Ministry of the Economy (formerly Industry, Trade and Labor). The grant will help finance the development of OpRegen, a cell-based therapeutic product being developed by Cell Cure Neurosciences for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration. The company plans completing preclinical testing of OpRegen and filing an application to commence human clinical trials in 2014.

Cell Cure CEO Dr. Charles Irving said, "The dry form of age-related macular degeneration is one of the leading diseases of aging and is estimated to afflict over 7.3 million people in the US alone. We anticipate that OpRegen will make a real difference in the quality of life of the aging baby-boom generation in many industrialized countries, and hence it is a strategic investment for the world as a whole.

Cell Cure is developing therapeutic cells for the treatment of retinal and neural degenerative disease. Founded in 2005, the company's technology platform is based on manufacturing diverse cell products sourced from clinical grade human embryonic stem cells. In 2010, BioTime acquired a majority interest in Cell Cure and has made a subsequent direct investment by together with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) and Hadasit Bio Holdings Ltd. (TASE:HDST; Bulletin Board: HADSY).

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - http://www.globes-online.com - on May 16, 2013

Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2013

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Cell Cure Neurosciences awarded $1.5m Chief Scientist grant

Stem Cell Therapeutics Announces Completion of Dosing in Phase I Study of TTI-1612 in Patients With Interstitial …

By Stem Cell Treatment

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 16, 2013) - Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SSS), a biopharmaceutical company developing cancer stem cell-related technologies, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Trillium Therapeutics has completed dosing in its Phase I study of TTI-1612 in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). The study was designed to assess the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses of TTI-1612 in IC/BPS patients. Pharmacokinetics and changes in disease symptoms were also evaluated. A total of 28 patients were enrolled at four urology clinics in Southern Ontario. Preliminary data indicate that the drug is well tolerated and exhibits a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Full results are expected to be published at a later date.

IC/BPS, also known as Painful Bladder Syndrome, is a chronic, debilitating and poorly treated bladder disease affecting millions of people. The disease is believed to develop as a result of dysfunction in the protective epithelial layer lining the bladder. TTI-1612, a locally-delivered recombinant growth factor, is being developed to correct the dysfunction and restore the bladder epithelium to a normal, healthy state.

This urology program, acquired by Stem Cell Therapeutics through its recent merger with Trillium Therapeutics, targets an indication of high unmet need and represents a substantial market opportunity. However, with its current focus on oncology and cancer stem cells, the Company will now actively seek a development partner to conduct the next phase of the clinical development program.

"Completing dosing in this clinical study in a timely manner is a significant early milestone in the development of TTI-1612," commented Dr. Bob Uger, the Company's Chief Scientific Officer. "We are encouraged by our clinical experience to date with this drug, and believe we are setting the groundwork for a partner to move this program forward into Phase II testing."

About Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS):

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic bladder disease characterized by increased urinary urgency and/or frequency, nocturia (waking from sleep to urinate) and pelvic pain. These symptoms are often severe, and can impact both the physical and emotional health of patients. For many IC/BPS sufferers the disease adversely affects all major aspects of their lives, including social relationships, travel, leisure activities and employment. Once considered a rare disease, IC/BPS is now recognized as an increasingly common medical problem. Recently, a large epidemiological study found that 3.3 to 7.9 million women and 2 million men in the US alone suffer from IC symptoms. Current therapies often provide inadequate relief, and many IC/BPS patients report dissatisfaction with available treatment options. Since the current pipeline of new IC/BPS drugs is largely focused on analgesics and is unlikely to significantly alter the IC treatment landscape, novel and innovative approaches to treatment are needed.

About Stem Cell Therapeutics:

Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SCT), a Toronto-based biopharmaceutical company, is Canada's only public company dedicated to advancing cancer stem cell discoveries into novel and innovative cancer therapies. Building on over half a century of leading and groundbreaking Canadian stem cell research, the company is supported by established links to multiple Toronto academic institutes and oncology treatment centers that represent one of the world's most acclaimed cancer research hubs. SCT's lead clinical program, which targets a metabolic pathway in leukemia blasts and leukemic stem cells, is currently being evaluated in a multi-centre Phase I study in patients with relapsed or refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The Company also has two premier preclinical programs, SIRPaFc and a CD200 monoclonal antibody (mAb), which target two key immunoregulatory pathways that tumor cells exploit to evade the host immune system. SIRPaFc is an antibody-like fusion protein that blocks the activity of CD47, a molecule that is upregulated on cancer stem cells in AML and several other tumors. The CD200 mAb is a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of CD200, an immunosuppressive molecule that is overexpressed by many hematopoietic and solid tumors. For more information, visit: http://www.stemcellthera.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which reflect SCT's current expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include changing market conditions; the successful and timely completion of pre-clinical and clinical studies; the establishment of corporate alliances; the impact of competitive products and pricing; new product development risks; uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process or the ability to obtain drug product in sufficient quantity or at standards acceptable to health regulatory authorities to complete clinical trials or to meet commercial demand; and other risks detailed from time to time in SCT's ongoing quarterly and annual reporting. Except as required by applicable securities laws, SCT undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Stem Cell Therapy For Autism – Research – Transplant – Cure …

By Stell Cell Research

Stem Cell Therapy: A Great Promise For The Future of Molecular Medicine For Autism

Ongoing research into every avenue to treat autism or possibly cure it has brought some researchers to the threshold of stem cell therapy. Stem cell medicine is still in its infancy, and still is highly controversial. Moving beyond the fetal stem cell issues and focusing more on the possibility of stem cells from cord blood helps researchers examine the possibility of a molecular medicinal approach for children and adults with ASD.

But that leads to an entirely new controversy unto itself. Most adults with autism, especially those who can communicate, do not want a cure or a medicine that alters who they are. They have identified that they are special people with special skill sets, and like the deaf community, they just arent interested in being cured. The flip side of that argument is for the children who are having so many difficulties with school, society and peers, and the children on the lower functioning end of the spectrum.

Parents who face the challenges of autism every day are met with mixed emotions on the subject as well. Some might say, Absolutely, I want the cure or the treatment for my child, while others would argue that its not for them and not for their children. The parents who would not choose it for their autistic children are not cold-hearted people, but people who see their children as endearing and uniquely special, and love them unconditionally. Its a hard road to take, knowing that a choice you could have made may have benefited your child, but it also means that other features and traits in your child with autism remain a part of them and a part of who they are.

As the battle rages on for or against a cure or treatment that would alleviate autism symptoms, scientists are charging onward in the labs. Parents now have the opportunity to harvest the umbilical cord and the cord blood at birth because the fetal stem cells in it could completely cure their child of any disease or illness in the future. With that in mind, scientists are asking parents to donate some or all of their cord blood to finding a cure or treatment for autism.

The cure or treatment developed would be delivered back into the child affected by autism when it begins to appear at age two. Families who agree to participate are screened based upon family history and the number of children and adults in extended family that have been diagnosed with autism. There certainly appears to be some genetic connection, as several families will have more than one child diagnosed with ASD over a couple of generations. Cord blood is gathered and sent to the participating research lab with each birth in that family. Some of it is used to look for genetic markers for ASD, and the rest is used to develop stem cell therapies that might work to counteract ASD, even when the cause is still relatively unknown.

The only FDA-approved stem cell therapy study currently undergoing research and development is out of Sacramento, CA, and the study wont be finished for another year. The children and their parents who have volunteered for the study did so only because they knew they had a child with autism and because they had harvested and saved the cord blood from their childs birth years before. Cord and cord blood banks deep freeze every patients sample, taking care to preserve the integrity of the cells found within. Even in children without autism, stell cell therapy from their own cord blood has had a more positive impact on them than any treatment for childhood cancers or other physical maladies.

It is based upon the positive effects of cord blood stem cell therapies for these unfortunate diseases that the scientists hope to prove that cord blood stem cells are also effective against preventing the brain from damage, or curing it after the damage, of autism. Essentially that is exactly what autism is; it is damage to specific areas of the brain, and that is why it can show up on an MRI/ neuroscan.

Other countries either claim to have the stem cell cure for autism already or are working on their own version of it. Parents need to be particularly wary of any South American country that claims it can give the stem cell shots to their child and cure them, because no known or published medical trials of this sort have occurred in any of the countries there. Additionally, these countries in South America claim that parents dont need a sample of their autistic childs cord blood for the treatment to work; on the contrary, that is exactly what is needed because only the childs own cells can be reintroduced into their blood stream by injection.

Some European countries are still working on the research, but their results and findings are much farther along than the U.S.s because they arent as squeamish about stem cell technology. In fact, Great Britain has been using cord blood stem cells to treat diseases in children for almost a decade now, and recording their results publicly in medical journals.

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