Stem Cell Clinic

Brownback signs into law bill establishing adult stem cell research and treatment at KU Medical Center

By SCOTT ROTHSCHILD, The Lawrence Journal-World

In a mix of science and anti-abortion politics, Gov. Sam Brownback on Monday signed into law a bill that establishes the nation's first adult stem cell research and treatment center at the Kansas University Medical Center.

"I am honored to sign this bill of hope and promise and current treatments," Brownback said.

Brownback described adult stem cell and umbilical cord blood research as an "exploding" area of new discoveries to treat people with a wide range of diseases. "KU will be the leader, Kansas will be the leader, which is fabulous in this burgeoning field," he said.

But the bill carried political overtones.

It was sponsored by vehement abortion opponents and pushed by the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian lobbying group.

In addition, KU never asked for the legislation establishing what will be known as the Midwest Stem Cell Center, and the Legislature has yet to produce the estimated $1.1 million needed for the center's startup.

The center is prohibited from using embryonic stem cells or cells taken from aborted fetal tissue. Abortion opponents oppose human embryonic stem cell research because it involves the destruction of the embryo.

Dr. Buddhadeb Dawn, director of the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases at KU Medical Center, was the only KU representative on hand at the bill-signing ceremony. He said the number of clinical trials of bone marrow stem cells for treatment of heart disease had been increasing tremendously over the past several years.

"It would be great to bring such therapies to Kansas, and the formation of such a center which would engage in adult stem cell therapy in patients would give Kansans the chance to be enrolled in such therapy and perhaps give treatment that would change their life," he said.

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Brownback signs into law bill establishing adult stem cell research and treatment at KU Medical Center

FRC Congratulates Kansas, Gov. Brownback for Authorizing Stem Cell Research Center

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Family Research Council (FRC) congratulated Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and the state of Kansas for the passage and signing of Kansas SB 199. The law establishes a new adult stem cell research and treatment center at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City's medical school.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080930/FRCLOGO)

FRC 's Senior Fellow Dr. David Prentice has testified in Kansas for years about the benefits of ethical adult stem cell treatments, based on their published scientific record. He promoted the idea of an adult stem cell center in talks with legislators, educators, doctors, and patients. He also helped write the legislation, and served as a scientific witness in legislative testimony. Of the bill signing Dr. Prentice said:

"With the signing of SB 199, Governor Sam Brownback has taken the first step toward making Kansas an international hub for scientific advancement and life-saving treatment. Through the creation of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center, Gov. Brownback has demonstrated a commitment to both scientific advancement and a culture of life.

"This bill would not have passed without the effort of Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, who authored and sponsored the bill and has worked tirelessly for years to promote ethical medical treatments and research. Senator Pilcher-Cook has been a prime advocate for the proven success of adult stem cells in treatments as well as ethical research. Her principled stand for life is an inspiration."

Of Dr. Prentice's work, FRC President Tony Perkins said the following:

"For many years, Dr. David Prentice has beenone of the world'sleading experts on the many life-saving uses of ethical adult stem cell treatments. His efforts in Kansas will bring leading-edge scientific and medical research and treatment to people around the world. This is a major achievement, and my colleagues and I at Family Research Council applaud David's outstanding work."

The Center will be unique as a comprehensive stem cell center. It will focus first on treating patients with adult stem cells, which have a proven track record as life savers and life extenders, treating over 60,000 people a year for dozens of diseases around the globe. The Center will also train doctors on the use of adult stem cells for treatments, conduct research and clinical trials to develop more patient therapies, educate people about stem cell treatments, and create a global database of available therapies for use by physicians and patients.

To read Dr. Prentice's statement from today's bill signing, click here: http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF13D87.pdf

To read more about life-saving and ethical adult stem cell treatments, click here: http://www.stemcellresearchfacts.org/

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FRC Congratulates Kansas, Gov. Brownback for Authorizing Stem Cell Research Center

Kris wants stem cell therapy for son Josh

Joshua Aquino plays piano for mom Kris. File photo

MANILA, Philippines Host-actress Kris Aquino explained that one of the reasons she is going on temporary leave from showbiz is because she wanted her eldest son, Josh, to undergo stem cell therapy.

During her morning talk show on ABS-CBN, Kris TV, on Tuesday, Aquino said she is considering three options for the treatment of Josh, who is a special child.

The first option is for Josh to undergo treatment in Europe, where live animal stem cells are used.

Kasi meron akong mga friends na yung mga anak nila underwent stem cell therapy and yung condition nila is just like Josh. They had special children, Aquino explained to comedienne Melai Cantiveros, her guest co-host on Kris TV.

Kasi sobrang laki yung naging improvement. So tomorrow, Melai, meron kaming appointment kay Dr. Rex Gloria, who is involved with one of those hospitals sa Europe na gumagawa nito, she added.

Aquino said her second option is to avail of a new treatment in Singapore, which involves the use of fat-derived human stem cells.

Meron daw sa Singapore na kinukuha daw sa nanay yung stem cell. Parang manggagaling sa fat ng nanay, kasi yung fat ng nanay ang pinaka-highly concentrated yung stem cell, doon, she said. So kukunin either sa hita daw o sa tiyan ng mom, tapos ita-transfer doon sa anak.

Meanwhile, Aquino said her third option is to go to The Medical City in Pasig.

May pangatlo pa being done in Medical City naman now. But that study will be done in July. Yun naman, galing sa bone marrow. Medyo masakit daw yun talaga kasi imagine, bone marrow extraction, she said.

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Kris wants stem cell therapy for son Josh

Stem Cell Harvest Offered At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc.

BEVERLY HILLS,Calif., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Imagine a future where doctors can grow new blood vessels for you when you need them, or rebuild cartilage in your knee or shoulder instead of undergoing surgery. While it sounds like science fiction, it is soon to be science fact, according to numerous medical institutions such as Wake Forest University, Stanford University, Duke and University of Texas. Stem cells, taken from a patient's own body, are the key to regenerating many types of human tissue including heart, liver and bone.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130423/LA97775)

Stem cells are 'multipotent," which means they can reproduce to become other types of cells like soft muscle and cartilage. Using a patient's own stem cells, doctors have successfully regenerated knee cartilage in patients with arthritis, and heart muscle for patients who have suffered damage after a heart attack. In the field of tissue engineering, doctors have 'grown' new bladders, tracheas and blood vessels for patients that have had disease or injury.

And the richest source of stem cells in the human body our fat, medically known as 'adipose tissue."

Dr. Gabriel Chiu is a highly-regarded plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in the art of aesthetic plastic surgery. As the medical director of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. and the SPA @ BHPS, Inc., Dr. Chiu oversees the beauty transformation and maintenance of over 15,000 clients worldwide including celebrities, politicians, royalty, athletes and social luminaries. Widely recognized for his advanced surgical techniques and technologies used, Dr. Chiu's patients commend him for his natural-looking surgical results, impeccable beauty aesthetic, and incomparable professional integrity. Dr. Gabriel Chiu is the recipient of the Patients' Choice Award 2008-2012.

Dr. Chiu states: "We are excited to add fat derived stem cell banking as a part of our full-service, concierge-oriented plastic surgery practice. Just like fetal cord banking, it may one day be the solution to severe diseases and cancer. This is one cosmetic 'luxury' that patients cannot afford to be without."

"It just makes sense," continues Dr. Chiu. "We have millions of vital stem cells in our fat and historically we have just thrown this away. Now my patients can easily store these cells so they have their youngest stem cells for all of the regenerative applications that are on the horizon. The advances with stem cells are pretty astounding," Dr. Chiu adds.

Patients who are having liposuction, tummy tuck, arm or thigh lift, breast reduction, or fat transfer have a convenient time to collect and send their tissue to AdiCyte for storage of their stem cells. Even if you are not having any surgery, your stem cells can be collected in a 20 minute, in-office procedure.

Over the past year, many known public figures have used their adipose-derived stem cells for regenerative medicine including TV actress Suzanne Somers, football quarterback Peyton Manning, baseball pitcher, Bartolo Colon, and Governor Rick Perry, who underwent treatment in 2012 for spinal repair using his own stem cells.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. is a full-service plastic surgery practice and medical spa located in the heart of Beverly Hills, Ca. The medical staff is led by Dr. Gabriel Chiu, who has performed thousands of body, breast, and facial surgical procedures. Classic modern and Chanel-inspired, the facility is comprised of a sensational SkinCeuticals lounge, private VIP reception, and luxurious state-of-the-art consultative treatment rooms. Offering full-spectrum beauty treatments from customized facials to mommy makeover procedures, BHPS, Inc. today stands as the ultimate beauty destination for over 15,000 men and women. For additional information, please contact: christine@bhpsinc.com or visit: http://www.BeverlyHillsPlasticSurgeryInc.com

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Stem Cell Harvest Offered At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc.

Rancho Mirage Hosts Select Bioscience Stem Cell Summit and Clinical Practicum, April 22-23

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Leaders in the field of stem cell research and clinical utilization will convene in Rancho Mirage for Select Biosciences Clinical Translation of Stem Cells Summit, announced David M. Morrow, MD, founder and director of The Morrow Institute, local host for the conference. The event will be held from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. on April 22-23 at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort followed by 6 p.m. practicums at The Morrow Institute. Focusing on the safe and effective use of regenerative techniques, the summit will be chaired by Lee Buckler, Managing Director, Cell Therapy Group, and will feature presentations by international, national and local experts.

Presenters include Kotaro Yoshimura, MD, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tokyo; Mark Berman, MD, President, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, California Stem Cell Treatment Center; Ingrid Caras, PhD, Senior Science Officer, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine; Prudence Talbot, MD, Director, UC Riverside Stem Cell Center; David Morrow, MD and Allan Wu, MD, co-founders of The Morrow Institutes Non-Controversial Stem Cell Research Lab; and others. Dr. Wu will be the keynote speaker the first day of the conference. Richard Kite, mayor of Rancho Mirage, will present a proclamation to the event organizers; American Health Journal will film a PBS grant-sponsored program on stem cells featuring four of the conference speakers and segments of the conference practicums.

This summit is a continuation of the efforts The Morrow Institute began back in 2008 when we hosted the first Mini-Summit on Biotech Research ever held in the Coachella Valley, Dr. Morrow explained. The field has advanced so far in such a short amount of time this conference will provide the opportunity for participants to look beyond research to new bedside therapies and practical issues.

In his keynote address, Dr. Wu will address translational trends in bringing stem cells from the research bench to the bedside. He will also lead clinical practicums with delegate viewing focused on harvesting adipose derived stem cells in the clinical setting, and providing delegates a real-time, hands-on opportunity to understand trends in stem cells-based clinical practice.

While Dr. Wus keynote presentation seeks to answer questions about what is allowable and what is considered safe within the standard of care, other Day 1 presenters will explore the state of the stem cell therapy industry, the use of stem cells in brain tumor trials, a variety of ethical issues, hot spots in stem cell research, the use of stem cells in fat transfer, the use of guided imagery in stem cell injections, and establishing a compliant regenerative medical surgical organization. Day 2 includes presentations on cell assisted lipotransfer, the use of adult stem cells in the treatment of disease, the future of cell-based personalized medicine, stem cells in age-related macular degeneration, and the impact of policy on clinical trials.

Select Biosciences presents an international portfolio of life science conferences that provides attendees with an educational environment where they can share the latest developments in their field. Conferences are designed for professionals working in industry and academic settings within life science.

Developers of the Stem Cell DEP Separation Technology (StemSorter) and the Stem Cell Optimizer, The Morrow Institute is one of the longest established Specialty Plastic Surgery practices in the world. Its campus features a fully AAAHC accredited outpatient surgery center dedicated to health and aesthetic enhancement through specialty plastic/reconstructive/cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation and an FDA registered stem cell research laboratory and tissue bank.

For more information or to register, visit http://selectbiosciences.com/conferences or contact The Morrow Institute, annarosa@morrowinstitute.com (760) 202-2770.

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Rancho Mirage Hosts Select Bioscience Stem Cell Summit and Clinical Practicum, April 22-23

Kris Aquino wants son Josh to undergo stem-cell therapy

Nais ni Kris Aquino na ipagamot ang panganay na anak na si Josh.

Ito ang isa sa mga dahilan na ibinahagi ng TV host-actress sa entertainment editor ng Balita na si Dindo Balares.

Ayon sa kolumn na Prangkahan na lumabas noong Biyernes, April 19, sinabi ni Kris, Ipapagamot ko kasi through stem-cell therapy sa Singapore this June si Josh.

Kuwento ni Kris, nahikayat siyang ipagamot ang kanyang 16-year-old na anak dahil sa positibong resulta sa pagpapagamot ng anak ng kanyang isang kaibigan.

Tulad ni Josh, may Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AD-HD) din ang anak ng kaibigan ni Kris.

Lahad ni Kris, Hindi nakakapagsalita ang anak ng friend ko.

In fact, wala rin kahit eye contact.

Pero after ng treatment, ang laki-laki ng improvement, at nakakabuo na ng full sentence.

Dagdag pa niya, Gusto kong i-try. Kasi, ayokong maisip pagdating ng araw na may means naman ako to avail the treatment pero hindi ko ginawa.

Kung sakaling matuloy, kakailanganin daw ng buong atensyon ni Kris habang nagpapagamot si Josh.

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Kris Aquino wants son Josh to undergo stem-cell therapy

Stem cell transplant restores memory, learning in mice

Apr. 21, 2013 For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been transformed into nerve cells that helped mice regain the ability to learn and remember.

A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the first to show that human stem cells can successfully implant themselves in the brain and then heal neurological deficits, says senior author Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology.

Once inside the mouse brain, the implanted stem cells formed two common, vital types of neurons, which communicate with the chemicals GABA or acetylcholine. "These two neuron types are involved in many kinds of human behavior, emotions, learning, memory, addiction and many other psychiatric issues," says Zhang.

The human embryonic stem cells were cultured in the lab, using chemicals that are known to promote development into nerve cells -- a field that Zhang has helped pioneer for 15 years. The mice were a special strain that do not reject transplants from other species.

After the transplant, the mice scored significantly better on common tests of learning and memory in mice. For example, they were more adept in the water maze test, which challenged them to remember the location of a hidden platform in a pool.

The study began with deliberate damage to a part of the brain that is involved in learning and memory.

Three measures were critical to success, says Zhang: location, timing and purity. "Developing brain cells get their signals from the tissue that they reside in, and the location in the brain we chose directed these cells to form both GABA and cholinergic neurons."

The initial destruction was in an area called the medial septum, which connects to the hippocampus by GABA and cholinergic neurons. "This circuitry is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember," says Zhang.

The transplanted cells, however, were placed in the hippocampus -- a vital memory center -- at the other end of those memory circuits. After the transferred cells were implanted, in response to chemical directions from the brain, they started to specialize and connect to the appropriate cells in the hippocampus.

The process is akin to removing a section of telephone cable, Zhang says. If you can find the correct route, you could wire the replacement from either end.

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Stem cell transplant restores memory, learning in mice

TiGenix : positive Phase IIa study results in refractory rheumatoid arthritis with allogeneic stem cell product Cx611

Regulated information April 22, 2013

TiGenix reports positive Phase IIa study results in refractory rheumatoid arthritis with allogeneic stem cell product Cx611

Management will conduct a conference call to discuss the results today at 4pm CET, 10am EST Dial-in numbers are provided at the end of this press release

Leuven (BELGIUM) - April 22, 2013 - TiGenix (NYSE Euronext: TIG), the European leader in cell therapy, today announced positive 6-month safety data of its Phase IIa study of Cx611 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as a first indication of therapeutic activity on standard outcome measures and biologic markers of inflammation for at least three months after dosing.

The multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled Phase IIa trial enrolled 53 patients with active refractory rheumatoid arthritis (mean time since diagnosis 15 years), who failed to respond to at least two biologics (mean previous treatment with 3 or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and 3 or more biologics). The study design was based on a three-cohort dose-escalating protocol. For both the low and medium dose regimens 20 patients received active treatment versus 3 patients on placebo; for the high dose regimen 6 patients received active treatment versus 1 on placebo. Patients were dosed at day 1, 8, and 15 and were followed up monthly over a six-month period. Follow-up consisted of a detailed monthly workup of all patients measuring all pre-defined parameters. The aim was to evaluate the safety, tolerability and optimal dosing over the full 6 months of the trial, as well as exploring therapeutic activity.

Only one patient suffered serious adverse events that led to discontinuation of the treatment. All other side effects were mild and transient. Importantly, the first results show no signs of hematological side effects or thrombosis.

Measured clinical activity scores were ACR20(1), ACR50(1), ACR70(1), EULAR(2) response rates, and the disease activity score DAS28(3). To gain a first insight into the therapeutic activity, these parameters were evaluated every month for six months. The below tables reflect cumulated results in percentages of all three active treatment arms at months 1 (M1), 2 (M2), 3 (M3), and "final visit" (FV). A more detailed analysis is currently ongoing.

For all graphs, N=46 for Cx611 and N=7 for placebo.

Please click on the link at the bottom of the message to see the table ("Table1").

"This Phase IIa cell therapy trial is a landmark study that gives us a first indication of the potential of cell therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. The positive safety results combined with a new mechanism of action are promising, and warrant further clinical investigation," said Dr. Jos Mara lvaro-Gracia, MD, PhD, Head of the Biological Therapies Unit at the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid, Spain, and Principal Investigator of the study.

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TiGenix : positive Phase IIa study results in refractory rheumatoid arthritis with allogeneic stem cell product Cx611

Fate Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Efficacy Data for WNT7A-Analog Program at Muscular Dystrophy Association 2013 …

SAN DIEGO, April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of adult stem cell modulators, announced today the presentation of preclinical data from its WNT7a protein analog program for the treatment of muscular dystrophy at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) 2013 Scientific Conference, April 21-24, in Washington DC. The presentations describe the engineering of pharmaceutically optimized WNT7a protein analogs, as well as their mechanism of action and efficacy profile in preclinical pharmacology studies.

"The data presented today provide strong preclinical support for the therapeutic potential of WNT7a analogs in muscular dystrophy, a complex group of disorders with a large unmet need for novel, differentiated and potentially complementary treatment approaches," commented Christian Weyer, M.D., M.A.S., President and Chief Executive Officer of Fate Therapeutics. "We are working towards the nomination of an investigational new drug (IND) candidate later this year, and are excited about the potential to advance this new mechanism toward clinical studies."

In the MDX mouse model of muscular dystrophy, intramuscular injection of a novel WNT7a analog resulted in significant dose dependent muscle hypertrophy and several-fold expansion of the satellite stem cell population. Moreover, three weeks after a single intramuscular injection, functional assessment revealed a significant increase in strength of the targeted tibialis anterior muscle (+18%, p

The findings obtained with Fate's optimized WNT7a analogs expand upon those previously reported with non-modified WNT7a protein. In November 2012, muscle biology expert and Fate Therapeutics scientific founder Dr. Michael Rudnicki published data demonstrating the potential of WNT7a to ameliorate muscle degeneration in the MDX mouse model of muscular dystrophy (Von Maltzahn et. al., PNAS 2012). In previous studies, Dr. Rudnicki elucidated the unique biology of WNT7a and its dual mechanism of action of driving the expansion of the muscle satellite stem cell population and muscle hypertrophy.

About Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophies encompass a group of disorders with diverse pathophysiological manifestations resulting from genetic aberrations which include mutations or deletions to over 30 distinct genes. The most prevalent and well characterized is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked form of muscular dystrophy which is seen in 1/3500 live male births. DMD typically manifests in early childhood and progresses to an advanced stage of severe muscular degeneration resulting in impairment of ambulation and premature mortality. A core pathophysiologic phenomenon seen in muscular dystrophy is a cycle of muscle degeneration leading to continuous compensatory satellite cell activation and differentiation to affect a regenerative response, but resulting in the eventual exhaustion of the regenerative capacity and significant loss of muscle function. Enhancing the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms to restore the regenerative capacity of muscle satellite stem cells thus represents a promising and unique approach for therapeutically intervention in various forms of muscular dystrophy as well as other neuromuscular diseases.

About Fate Therapeutics, Inc.

Uniquely positioned at the intersection of stem cell science and orphan disease, Fate Therapeutics is pioneering the discovery and development of innovative adult stem cell modulator therapeutics with the potential to cure or transform the lives of patients with rare life-threatening disorders. The Company's lead program, ProHema, an innovative cord blood-derived cell therapy containing ex-vivo pharmacologically-modulated hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), is currently in Phase 2 testing in patients with leukemia undergoing hematopoietic transplantation. The Company plans to pursue clinical evaluation of pharmacologically modulated HSCs in patients with rare genetic disorders, an area of tremendous unmet medical need in which the curative potential of cord blood transplantation is well recognized. In addition, Fate Therapeutics is developing proprietary WNT7a-based protein therapeutics that have shown efficacy in preclinical models of muscular dystrophy. To advance its discovery efforts, the Company applies its award-winning, proprietary, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology to generate rare cell populations and model disease. Fate Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, CA, with a subsidiary in Ottawa, Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.fatetherapeutics.com.

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Fate Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Efficacy Data for WNT7A-Analog Program at Muscular Dystrophy Association 2013 ...