Stem cell brain injections ease Parkinson's

MONKEYS with Parkinson's disease-like symptoms have had their suffering eased by an injection of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into their brain.

Jun Takahashi of Kyoto University in Japan and colleagues injected these cells into monkeys whose brains had been damaged by a chemical that destroys dopamine-producing neurons and so causes Parkinson's symptoms.

Two monkeys received hESCs that had been matured into an early form of neural cell. Six months later, the monkeys had recovered 20 to 45 per cent of the movement they had lost before treatment. Post-mortems a year after treatment showed that the cells had developed into fully functioning dopamine-secreting neurons. Another monkey that received less-mature neural cells also showed improvements (Stem Cells, DOI: 10.1002/stem.1060).

"Monkeys starting with tremors and rigidity [began] to move smoothly, and animals originally confined to sitting down were able to walk around," says Takahashi.

The team says it will probably be four to six years before clinical trials in humans begin.

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Stem cell brain injections ease Parkinson's

Stem Cell Transplant Keeps Hope Alive

Memphis, Tn - Jana Stressel and her husband Jay were living life as empty nesters. She was active and healthy, walking five miles a day. The couple was getting ready for an out of town trip back in 2009, when sickness settled in. Jay knew it was trouble so he rushed his wife of 28 years to the hospital.

"They immediately sensed something was wrong. My blood pressure was really high. I was in bad shape...they went to work on me very quickly," says Jana.

Doctors told Jana she was losing blood from somewhere, so she underwent several blood transfusions. Her kidneys were shutting down. For two weeks, doctors wondered what was going on. Doctor Ed Muir, an oncologist with the Jones clinic, was the doctor who finally diagnosis her.

"He came in and told us I had multiple myeloma."

The cancer was at stage 3, which means the disease was already advanced. To make matters worse, she had kidney dysfunction, which required dialysis. She started chemotherapy the next day.

"My cancer is aggressive so they have to treat it aggressively, and there have been some pretty bad days."

At one point, she was receiving 3 different chemotherapy treatments at one time.

"I never cried, I was never sad, I was never scared. I just pretty much felt like ok, what do I need to go? Let's do it."

Dr. Muir explains Multiple Myeloma as cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. The plasma cells grow out of control and form tumors in the areas of solid bone.

The growth of the bone tumors make it harder for the bone marrow to make healthy blood cells. This makes a person more prone to infections, back pain, fatigue, and unexplained broken bones, all symptoms Jana had, but ignored.

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Stem Cell Transplant Keeps Hope Alive

Eastday-Big stem cell breakthrough

A NEW stem cell therapy treatment to develop new bones for patients with bone loss and new skin for recipients of plastic surgery has been developed, doctors from Shanghai No.9 People's Hospital announced yesterday.

In the procedure, medical staff use a special machine to collect stem cells from a patient's blood. The stem cells adhere to a base made of a special biological material.

The stem cells are then transplanted into the patient's body, where they grow into either new bones or skin tissue, while the base is absorbed by the human body.

"So far the practice has been successful in treating patients with bone and skin loss," said Dr Dai Kerong from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's translational medicine institute at Shanghai No.9 hospital. "The stem cell technology will be used to develop corneas for blind people as well as treating heart attack and stroke patients by developing new heart and cerebral tissue."

The technology is patented in China and abroad and will be licensed within one or two years, according to Dai.

China has established 51 translational medicine centers to boost the introduction of laboratory research into clinical use.

The complicated procedures and documentation required often prevent doctors from introducing lab success into clinical practice.

Dai said one reagent developed by No. 9 hospital's doctors for in vitro fertilization received a license in Europe within six months and has been used in clinical practice "while this would take at least five years in China."

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Eastday-Big stem cell breakthrough

Gov. Perry's stem-cell firm draws FDA scrutiny

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received a complaint alleging the Houston company involved in Gov. Rick Perry's unregulated adult stem-cell operation is a potential danger to patients and not in compliance with federal law.

In an eight-page letter sent last month, University of Minnesota bioethicist Leigh Turner called on the FDA to investigate Celltex Therapeutics Corp., which banks people's stem cells for future reinjection in the event of disease or injury. Perry was the company's first customer last year.

"It appears their business plan involves injecting or infusing on a for-profit, commercial basis non-FDA-approved adult stem cells into paying customers," Turner wrote in the Feb. 21 letter. "This plan conflicts with FDA regulations governing human stem cells."

An FDA spokeswoman declined comment, but Turner said an agency official told him the matter has been assigned to an investigator and is being taken seriously.

Celltex co-founder David Eller said Tuesday night he is confident the company will "meet all FDA specifications." He emphasized that Celltex doesn't administer stem cells, but stores and processes them at the behest of doctors who later reinject them into patients.

Dr. Stanley Jones, a Houston orthopedic surgeon, injected Perry's stem cells during his back surgery in July.

The plan by Celltex and Perry to make Texas a leader in the therapy have been controversial since details about the governor's procedure became known last summer. The therapy, drawing on the ability of adult stem cells to replenish dying cells, is promising but thought by most medical researchers to need much more clinical study before it is commercialized.

Stem cells are a kind of medicine known as biologics, therapy involving living cells rather than chemicals. Most medical experts say that adult stem-cell therapy involves more than the "minimal manipulation" the agency allows without its oversight because the cells are isolated, cultured in a laboratory and stored for some period of time before being reinjected.

The FDA has recently stepped up enforcement of unregulated adult stem cell activity, though legal experts interviewed last fall by the Chronicle said it was unclear whether the agency would look into Perry's procedure because he seemed fully informed and unharmed by it.

The Texas Medical Board is currently considering a policy that would require providers of stem cells and other experimental drugs to use them only with the permission of independent review committees that assess trials for patient safety. The policy comes up for final approval in April.

Continued here:
Gov. Perry's stem-cell firm draws FDA scrutiny

Canadian researchers receive grant to test stem-cell therapy for septic shock

OTTAWA A team of Canadian researchers has been awarded $442,000 to test the world's first experimental stem-cell therapy aimed at patients who suffer from septic shock, a runaway infection of the bloodstream that's notoriously difficult to treat.

The federal grant will allow researchers from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to use mesenchymal stem cells, found in the bone marrow of healthy adults, to treat as many as 15 patients with septic shock.

The deadly infection occurs when toxic bacteria spreads rapidly throughout the body and over-activates the immune system, leading to multiple organ failure and death in up to 40 per cent of cases.

One in five patients admitted to intensive-care units suffers from septic shock, making it the most common illness among a hospital's sickest of the sick.

Existing treatments focus on early diagnosis and intervention before organs start to fail. Patients with septic shock require aggressive resuscitation measures, large doses of intravenous antibiotics and, often, ventilators to help them breathe.

Yet because the infection can creep up on patients rapidly and cause unpredictable complications, death from septic shock remains relatively common.

The experimental therapy aims to use donor stem cells, grown and purified at the Ottawa laboratory, to dial down the body's hyperactive immune response and reduce the cascade of inflammation that leads to organ failure.

Early results from animal studies even raise the possibility that mesenchymal cells could eliminate the bacteria that causes septic shock, although the impact on humans is not yet known.

"It's a unique feature of the stem cells," said Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, the intensive-care physician who is leading the trial. "Certainly no other therapy in the past, other than antibiotics, has impacted the bacterial load in the system."

As with other stem cells, mesenchymal cells can turn into a variety of more specialized cells and tissues that help repair and regenerate damaged organs. And because mesenchymal cells are derived from adults, they sidestep the ethical issues arising from the destruction of human embryos needed to make embryonic stem cells.

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Canadian researchers receive grant to test stem-cell therapy for septic shock

Suspended doctor disputes DOH claims

LEE COUNTY, FL -

The attorney for a Bonita Springs doctor whose license was suspended last week after a patient's death now says a different doctor was treating the patient and the patient had not received a stem cell treatment.

Dr. Zannos Grekos is under investigation by the Lee County Sheriff's Office, however no criminal charges have been filed against him.

Dr. Grekos' attorney issued a one page statement to our newsroom that says the patient died during a different procedure performed by a different doctor.[Click here to read the statement.]

The attorney did not identify the doctor on the statement, but says the other doctor was performing liposuction on THE MAN, not stem cell treatment.

The family of 77 year old Richard Poling of Indiana said he was being treated for pulmonary fibrosis.

The Department of Health's Emergency Suspension Order stated Poling died from cardiac arrest while at Grekos' office.

Dr Grekos' attorney states that the medical examiner's office has not provided a report linking the patient's death to stem cell treatment.

We did reach out to the Department of Heath for comment, but have not heard back from them yet.

We also reached out to Poling's sister who lives in Bonita Springs. She is respecting her family's wishes and is not speaking to the media.

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Suspended doctor disputes DOH claims

Stem-cell breakthrough could mean treatment for Huntington’s

A research report published earlier this week suggests a possible connection between the use of stem cells and a treatment for Huntingtons disease.

Su-Chun Zhang, a UW-Madison professor, is the senior author of the new study, which shows embryonic stem cells may be used to reinstate the neural circuit needed for motor control that is destroyed in Huntingtons patients.

There is no cure for Huntingtons, a terminal disease in which patients lose control of muscle coordination.

The key to the study is the use of GABA neurons, which are responsible for creating the network the brain uses to coordinate motor function, but are reduced in Huntingtons patients. According to the report, researchers found a way to manufacture large quantities of GABA neurons from embryonic stem cells, which they implanted in mice to test how well they would integrate in to the mouses brain.

The cells not only integrated in the mouses brain, but also projected to the corresponding target and reestablished the neural circuit, which restored muscle coordination.

This result suggests a possible treatment for a previously incurable disease, as well as discovering that the human brain may be more resilient than originally thought.

While the findings are optimistic, researchers said in a statement that the technology will not be ready for human trials until further research is completed.

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Stem-cell breakthrough could mean treatment for Huntington’s

Dr. Nikolai Tankovich, President Of Stemedica, Appointed Legate to The Center of Science and Society at The University …

The Board of Trusties of the Centre for Science and Society at Trinity College of the University of Oxford, England has appointed Nikolai Tankovich, MD, PhD, FASLMS as a Legate of the Centre. Dr. Tankovich is President and Chief Medical officer of Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. and Chairman of Stemedica International S.A. a manufacturer of ischemic tolerant adult allogeneic stem cells.

(PRWEB) March 15, 2012

Dr. Tankovich has been a frequent lecturer and guest speaker at the Centre for the last several years. The position of Legate recognizes the importance of his continuing role in reporting on the latest worldwide trends in regenerative medicine and biotechnology. Dr Tankovich is a surgical oncologist who holds a Masters Degree in Physics and a PhD in Biophysics. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Tankovich is the author of multiple patents in the fields of stem cells and laser science.

Dr. Frank C. Schuller, Director of the Centre for Science and Society at Trinity College said, We are pleased to formalize our valued relationship with Dr. Tankovich by naming him a Legate of the Center. This honor is in recognition of his extensive contributions to advancing scientific understanding at the University of Oxford, and in anticipation of many years of continuing involvement.

Speaking of his lecturing at Trinity College, Dr. Tankovich noted, It is always a pleasure to present the latest medical and scientific information to some of the brightest researchers and scientists in the world. I look forward to working with The Center to explore the boundaries of science and technology to help translate research into meaningful cures for many of the presently chronic diseases and conditions that are prevalent today.

Richard Silcock, Associate Director of the Centre, said, "During recent years, Dr. Tankovich has generously contributed his extensive knowledge and practical expertise to stimulate lively debates at the Centre on stem cell research and its medical or commercial applications. He joins a panel of Legates who have distinguished themselves in their careers. We are honored that Dr. Tankovich will be an ambassador for the Centre to promote discussion of important issues connecting science and society."

About Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.

Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc. (http://www.stemedica.com) is a specialty biopharmaceutical company that is committed to the development and manufacturing of best-in-class adult stem cells and stem cell factors for use by approved research institutions and hospitals for pre-clinical and human clinical trials. The Company is currently conducting clinical trials for stroke under US IND using ischemic tolerant mesenchymal (itMSC) stem cells. Regulatory pathways for spinal cord injury, diabetic retinopathy, acute myocardial infarct, acute respiratory distress syndrome and wound repair are also underway.

For more information regarding Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. contact Dave McGuigan at dmcguigan(at)stemedica(dot)com.

Dave McGuigan Stemedica Cell Technologies Inc (858) 658-0910 Email Information

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Dr. Nikolai Tankovich, President Of Stemedica, Appointed Legate to The Center of Science and Society at The University ...

TiGenix Reports Full Year 2011 Financial Results

LEUVEN, BELGIUM--(Marketwire -03/15/12)- TiGenix NV (EURONEXT: TIG) today gave a business update and announced financial results for the full year 2011.

Business highlights

Financial highlights

"TiGenix has created a new and strong basis in 2011 on which we can build going forward and we have strengthened our position as the European leader in cell therapy," says Eduardo Bravo, CEO of TiGenix. "We have delivered on our promises: we have obtained national reimbursement for ChondroCelect in Belgium and made progress in other European markets. We advanced all clinical stem cell programs on plan, and raised substantial funds from specialized healthcare investors and through non-dilutive financing. Today, TiGenix is well-positioned to reach the next value-enhancing inflection points."

Business Update

Successful integration of Cellerix reinforces leadership position in cell therapyIn May 2011, TiGenix closed the business combination with the stem cell therapy company Cellerix, creating the European leader in cell therapy. During 2011 the Company succeeded in rapidly integrating both entities. The Company now combines top line revenues with an advanced pipeline of clinical stage regenerative and immuno-modulatory products. TiGenix's operations are supported by a strong commercial and manufacturing infrastructure for advanced cell therapies, an experienced international management team and a solid cash position.

As a result of the merger, the Company's development focus has shifted from early stage preclinical programs towards a number of highly promising clinical stage products for inflammatory and autoimmune disorders of high unmet medical need, each addressing markets in excess of EUR 1 billion. TiGenix product pipeline is based on a proprietary stem cell platform that exploits expanded allogeneic (donor-derived) adult stem cells derived from human adipose (fat) tissue ('eASCs'). The platform has been extensively characterized in line with requirements of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is supported by exhaustive preclinical and CMC packages.

Given its focus on cell therapy, TiGenix is in the process of divesting its ChondroMimetic franchise, which is based on a biomaterial platform. To be able to concentrate on its core business and move forward with a clean slate, TiGenix has decided to write-off the intellectual property related to the OrthoMimetics acquisition.

ChondroCelect commercial roll-out progressing with first national reimbursementChondroCelect obtained reimbursement in Belgium in May 2011, and is today available in 22 specialized treatment centers.

TiGenix is selling ChondroCelect in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain under managed access and private insurance schemes, while pursuing national reimbursement in these countries and France.

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TiGenix Reports Full Year 2011 Financial Results

Ottawa researchers to lead world-first clinical trial of stem cell therapy for septic shock

Public release date: 15-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jennifer Ganton jganton@ohri.ca 613-798-5555 x73325 Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

A team of researchers from the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has been awarded $367,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and $75,000 from the Stem Cell Network to lead the first clinical trial in the world of a stem cell therapy for septic shock. This deadly condition occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body and over-activates the immune system, resulting in severe organ damage and death in 30 to 40 per cent of cases. Septic shock accounts for 20 per cent of all Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions in Canada and costs $4 billion annually. Under the leadership of Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, this new "Phase I" trial will test the experimental therapy in up to 15 patients with septic shock at The Ottawa Hospital's ICU.

The treatment involves mesenchymal stem cells, also called mesenchymal stromal cells or MSCs. Like other stem cells, they can give rise to a variety of more specialized cells and tissues and can help repair and regenerate damaged organs. They also have a unique ability to modify the body's immune response and enhance the clearance of infectious organisms. They can be found in adult bone marrow and other tissues, as well as umbilical cord blood, and they seem to be easily transplantable between people, because they are more able to avoid immune rejection.

There has been a great deal of interest in using MSCs to treat disease, with most research so far focused on heart disease, stroke, inflammatory bowel disease and blood cancers. Hundreds of patients with these diseases have already been treated with MSCs through clinical trials, with results suggesting that these cells are safe in these patients, and have promising signs of effectiveness. MSCs are still considered experimental however, and have not been approved by Health Canada as a standard therapy for any disease.

In recent years, a number of animal studies have suggested that MSCs may also be able to help treat septic shock. For example, a recent study by Dr. Duncan Stewart, CEO and Scientific Director of OHRI (and also a co-investigator on the new clinical trial) showed that treatment with these cells can triple survival in a mouse model of this condition.

"Mesenchymal stem cell therapy appears promising in animal studies, but it will require many years of clinical trials involving hundreds of patients to know if it is safe and effective," said Dr. Lauralyn McIntyre, a Scientist at the OHRI, ICU Physician at The Ottawa Hospital, Assistant Professor of Medicine at uOttawa and a New Investigator with CIHR and Canadian Blood Services. "This trial is a first step, but it is a very exciting first step."

As with all "Phase I" trials, the main goal of this study is to evaluate the safety of the therapy and determine the best dose for future studies. The 15 patients in the treatment group will receive standard treatments (such as fluids, antibiotics and blood pressure control), plus a planned intravenous dose of 0.3 to 3 million MSCs per kg of body weight. The MSCs will be obtained from the bone marrow of healthy donors and purified in the OHRI's Good Manufacturing Practice Laboratory in the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research. The researchers also plan to evaluate 24 similar septic shock patients who will receive standard treatments only (no MSCs). All patients will be rigorously monitored for side effects, and blood samples will be taken at specific time points to monitor the cells and their activity. This trial will not be randomized or blinded and it will not include enough patients to reliably determine if the therapy is effective. It will be conducted under the supervision of Health Canada and the Ottawa Hospital Research Ethics Board, and will have to be approved by both of these organizations before commencing.

"The OHRI is rapidly becoming known as a leader in conducting world-first clinical trials with innovative therapies such as stem cells," said Dr. Duncan Stewart, CEO and Scientific Director of OHRI, Vice-President of Research at The Ottawa Hospital and Professor of Medicine at uOttawa. "This research is truly pushing the boundaries of medical science forward, and is providing the citizens of Ottawa with access to promising new therapies."

"The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is very pleased to support this clinical trial," said Dr. Jean Rouleau, Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health. "The work of Dr. McIntyre and her colleagues will not only add to our growing knowledge of the benefits of stem-cell therapies, but will hopefully lead to treatments that can help save the lives of patients where currently, our treatment options are less than optimal."

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Ottawa researchers to lead world-first clinical trial of stem cell therapy for septic shock