Stem cells without genetic defects heralded as breakthrough

The prospect of treating genetic diseases with corrected stem cells grown from patients’ own bodies has moved closer, after the results of a remarkable experiment.

Scientists have successfully reprogrammed skin tissue from people with a rare form of anaemia to create powerful stem cells, while at the same time rectifying the genetic defect that causes the condition.

The corrected stem cells could be grown into blood precursor cells for therapy. As these would carry a patient’s own DNA, except for the mutation responsible for the illness, they could be transplanted without risk of rejection by the body’s immune system.

Though the research team, from Spain and the United States, has yet to use the cells to treat patients, and several important hurdles still remain, the achievement has been hailed as a significant advance for stem cell research.

It suggests that it should eventually be possible to treat many inherited conditions by making disease-free stem cells from their own bodies.

The experiment offers “proof of concept” that the technique “can be used for the generation of disease-corrected, patient-specific cells with potential value for cell therapy applications,” the researchers write in the journal Nature.

In the study, a team led by Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, of the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, took cells from six patients with Fanconi anaemia, a recessive genetic disorder that causes bone marrow failure and leukaemia. It is often fatal unless a bone marrow transplant is available from a perfectly matched donor.

The cells were infected with a genetically modified virus to correct the gene that causes Fanconi anaemia. These were then reprogrammed into an embryo-like state by modifying further genes, to create versatile master cells known as induced pluripotent stem cells (IPS cells).

When these IPS cells were grown in culture, they developed into blood progenitor cells of the sort that are required for transplant in Fanconi anaemia therapies.

As the IPS cells’ DNA had been corrected, they did not have the mutation that causes the disease, but they were otherwise genetically identical to the patients’ own tissue.

The reprogrammed, corrected cells are not yet suitable for transplanting into patients, because it is not yet known whether IPS cells can be safely given to patients.

The reprogramming technique currently relies on modifying genes with a virus, and there are fears that this could promote cancers. Several new reprogramming methods that do not rely on viruses, however, have recently been developed.

“The recent implementation of reprogramming protocols that do not rely on viral integration, if their applicability to human cells was confirmed, would bring the realisation of this possibility closer,” the researchers said.

The combination of reprogramming cells and correcting their DNA could also have potential for treating many other conditions with a genetic component, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neuron disease and diabetes.

Chris Mathew, Professor of Molecular Genetics at King’s College London, said: “This is an important development for families with this rare, inherited blood disorder. The patients have low numbers of blood stem cells in their bone marrow, so there are very few target cells to correct by gene therapy.

“The new research shows that it is possible to reprogramme skin cells from these patients into stem cells in which the genetic defect has been corrected. In future it may become possible to transfer the corrected stem cells back into the patient, but much work remains to be done.”

Source: Timesonline 1 June 2009

New treatment options using cord blood in children with heart defects, diabetes type 1 and early childhood brain damage

Jun.01, 2009 in Diabetes

Leipzig: My Body Cord blood stem cells possess a high potential for the treatment of congenital heart defects, diabetes type 1 and neonatal brain damage. The current research results confirm that the symposium on “Stem cells from umbilical cord blood - important for the Neonatology” on the 24th Perinatalkongress in Berlin on 07 May were presented.

Prof. Dr. Simon Hoerstrup of the University of Zurich wants to use stem cells for children with congenital cardiac defects to be treated. Currently, in these cases bioprostheses or mechanical prostheses, which do not grow, calcify, and subsequent operations may be necessary.

Hoerstrups group was in large animal models show that it is possible, humane Herzklappenimplantatate with growth and regeneration potential connection. In bioreactors, the heart valves can be bred and trained six to eight weeks implanted. Long-term observations showed that these heart valves are not only the full functionality of a natural heart valve, but also grow with the animal.

And umbilical cord blood were loud Hoerstrup appropriate stem cell sources, in order to grow heart valves. To even before the birth and to heart valve in severe cases, immediately after the birth to be able to implant, which could stem from the amniotic fluid or chorionic villus sampling on a win. Hoerstrup announced for the end of 2009 to first clinical interventions.

Better long-term prognosis of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, the most common chronic disease in childhood, is increasing in Western countries dramatically. Currently in Germany there are 15,000 infected children under 15 years. Although insulin therapy improves life expectancy of those affected, the children often suffer long-term consequences such as kidney, eye and nerve damage. The cost of treatment per child amounts to approximately 10,000 euros annually.

A new treatment approach might be the infusion of umbilical cord blood of their own, Dr. Petra Rauprich of Vita 34 representative for the Diabetes Research Group at the TU Munich presented. In a pilot study are currently in the U.S. and Germany 33 children with newly arisen type 1 diabetes with their own cord blood treated. The goal is the preservation of the remaining body’s own insulin-producing cells. First results from the USA show that the T cells in cord blood to a reduction of self-help. Furthermore, it was found that the blood glucose value was significantly reduced and the children were less insulin needed per day, as the body’s own insulin production was maintained.

First therapeutic attempt in Germany with autologous cord blood for child brain damage

Each year approximately 1,000 children suffer from lack of oxygen due to infection or a brain injury, often the worst physical and mental disabilities has been satisfied. Since about ten years, the group of Prof. Dr. Arne Jensen of the Ruhr-University Bochum in a stammzellbasierten therapy with cord blood for neonatal brain damage. In animal models, they could demonstrate that the stem cells in the injured brain region seems to immigrate here and by the release of messenger substances and growth factors to regenerate the damaged brain areas contribute to the injured animal consequently his motor skills gained back almost completely.

In January 2009 Jensen now treated in this way the first time in Germany two and a half year old boy, in consequence of a cardiac arrest a spastic cerebral palsy had suffered. The parents had their umbilical cord blood at birth precaution Vita 34 to be saved. Seven weeks after transplantation showed the previously tetraspastische constantly wimmernde Young significant improvements in motor function and behavior. He was able to eat independently, interacted with his environment, laughed and began to speak and walk. Jensen announced yet for this year a comprehensive study of neonatal brain damage.

Educating pregnant women is important
The new findings show that cord blood is a very good source of stem cells for regenerative therapy. In these cases, the autologous umbilical cord blood of the patient is always the first choice. Therefore, gynecologists Pregnant neutral and comprehensive information on these opportunities aufklären.Weitere information on press release:

The company was founded in 1997 by physicians in Leipzig and is the oldest and leading private umbilical cord blood bank in the German-speaking countries. To date, more than 60,000 parents decided to put the cord blood of their child Vita 34 in store for you.

Rejuvenation therapies

Updates from the recent annual scientific conference organised by the Society for Anti-Ageing, Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine Malaysia.

THE Society for Anti-Ageing, Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine Malaysia (SAAARMM) had its annual scientific conference recently, and I would like to share some of the updates.

You will notice that the society has a long name. It started as just an anti-ageing society. Then aesthetics was added because the demand for aesthetic therapies actually exceeds that of anti-ageing therapies. While most people want to look young, not all of them are concerned about being young (ie healthy). Finally, regenerative medicine was added.

Anti-ageing medicine implies the slowing down or reversal of ageing in an otherwise “healthy” person, while regenerative medicine implies the restoration of health and functions in the unhealthy or diseased person. Once health is restored, any further gain would be anti-ageing. These are strategies applied at different points of the health spectrum.

I try not to miss the annual convention because I always get to meet two of the pioneers and leading researchers/proponents in this field. Both are from the US.

Dr Bob Goldman is the chairman and co-founder of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), which is hugely responsible for popularising and promoting anti-ageing medicine throughout the world. He also holds the world record for hand-stand push-ups (doing push-ups with the body vertically up, head down).

Dr Nick Delgado is one of my mentors. He worked with the famous Pritikin Longevity Centre and also with top performance coach Anthony Robbins. Among other things, he taught me the goodness of whole-food juicing. He has his own range of supplements and anti-ageing strategy – The Delgado Protocol. At the age of 54, he is the world champion for vertical lifts (repetitive lifting of 25-pound weights on alternate arms) and continues to defend his title. He is also pioneering the use of stem cells for rejuvenation, and uses himself as a guinea-pig, getting the injections every month. Already he has more hair than last year. He hopes to live to 150!

The three of us are of the same age (so is Dr Ronald Klatz, President and co-founder of A4M). So it will be interesting to see how we age over the years. All three of us rely on hormone optimisation/balancing and nutritional supplements. They are super-fit and super-strong individuals, while I only go to the gym whenever possible. I have to rely on my qigong to keep up with them. And soon I will have to start injecting stem cells into myself too.

Rejuvenation strategies

The basis of health and rejuvenation has always been a healthy lifestyle, a nutritious diet, and adequate exercise. And may I add, enough life-force, or qi. Every other strategy is additional to these basic requirements.

The most exciting advances are in the use of stem cells for treating degenerative diseases, for rejuvenation, and even for aesthetics. I will share about this today.

The role of inflammation and the immune system involved in its modulation and the important roles played by certain nutrients were repeatedly emphasized by several of the experts at the meeting. There was also much discussion on the importance of many hormones. I will discuss these in another article.

We were shown examples of how protocols used in anti-ageing/regenerative therapy succeeded in reversing many chronic diseases (even cancers) and relieved the patients from being drug-dependent.

This shows that anti-ageing/regenerative medicine is more curative than the conventional disciplines, which are often satisfied with “normal readings” achieved by drug therapy.

Doctors in anti-ageing/regenerative medicine aim to recover normal function and normal health through lifestyle, hormonal and nutritional modification. We try to avoid chemical drugs. After achieving “normal” health (meaning free from disease, but not necessarily tip-top health), we then aim for optimum (ie best achievable) health.

Stem cells and cell therapy

Stem cells have been successfully used to improve or cure about 135 different diseases. Since many of these are degenerative diseases related to ageing, and the diseases themselves can be considered as accelerated ageing, it was just a matter of time before stem cell therapy found its role in anti-ageing/rejuvenation/regenerative medicine.

The Swiss and German pioneers of cell therapy were using embryonic, foetal and young animal organ cells since over 100 years ago. Live cell therapy (xenotransplantation, ie using the cells, tissues, or organs from another species) became established in the 1930s through the work of Dr Paul Niehans and others. Although he and his colleagues successfully treated thousands of people (including Pope Pious XII), cell therapy remained popular only in European rejuvenation clinics, and in cancer-treatment centres in Mexico and South America.

It is a well-known secret that many of our rich-and-famous people regularly go to these European clinics for rejuvenation cell therapy. Often, the doctors come here to treat their clients.

While it was not surprising that the organs or tissues from the embryos, foetuses or young animals enabled the regeneration of the corresponding diseased tissue/organ in the recipient patient, it is now realised that much of the healing and regeneration are possible because these transplanted tissues or organs are rich in stem cells. In other words, the same results would not be achieved if the adult tissues were transplanted. There would also be serious tissue-rejection problems with adult animal sources, which did not happen with all the cases using very young animals.

The practice of cell therapy is now more streamlined, with greater understanding of the different types of therapies available – for rejuvenation as well as treating specific health problems or diseases. The patient is usually given a combination of cells derived from many organs (and placenta), depending on the diagnosis.

The simplest is DNA extracted from foetal organ cells. These will “rejuvenate” the DNA of the corresponding organ-cells of the recipient, and restore the ability to produce certain proteins necessary for their function.

Then there are the lyophilised foetal organ cells, which are reconstituted just prior to injection. Of higher quality and effectiveness are the fresh frozen cells which are thawed prior to injection, and finally the best are the fresh cells which are injected soon after production.

However, the fresh cells must be given immediately (which means you have to be at the centre near the production facility) or kept cold during transportation and injected within 48 hours.

Autologous cellular regeneration

Now that research on stem cells is vigorously pursued in mainstream medicine, anti-ageing doctors are among those at the forefront in using them.

Previously, the main sources of stem cells were bone-marrow and stored newborn cord blood. Now the trend is to have autologous (your own cells) stem cells from more easily-obtained sources – blood and fat.

While blood, like the marrow, is a source of haemopoeitic stem cells (HSC, giving rise to all the different types of blood cells), fat tissue is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC, precursors of many types of structural cells). Much research is being done on fat-derived stem cells (ADSC, Adipose-Derived Stem Cells) because most of us have plenty of fat to get rid off, which in turn can provide us with plenty of stem cells.

Even the differences between HSC, MSC, and other stem cell types are becoming unclear as scientists have successfully caused the differentiation of these stem cells to cell types previously thought impossible. For example, functioning heart cells have been created from stem cells found in menstrual blood.

Autologous cellular rejuvenation

ADSC is now widely used in aesthetic clinics. Stem cells and other precursor cells rich in growth factors are obtained from wherever there is excess fat (the usual source is the lower abdomen, obtained by simple large-needle syringe-liposuction) which is then specially prepared to concentrate the stem cells and precursor cells. Together, these cells (collectively called ADRC or Adipose-Derived Rejuvenating Cells) are then injected wherever required (usually the face as facial repair and rejuvenation constitute over 90% of aesthetic therapies).

It is best combined with PRP (platelet-rich plasma prepared from the patient’s own blood) to provide support and nutrients to the rejuvenating cells.

Plasma is rich in factors that attract and support stem cells, and other healing components, and the combination is also good for preventing and reversing scars.

Face, breast, and buttock augmentation with fat transfer (ie usually taking fat from abdomen and directly transplanting to another part of the body) will have better take-up rates (otherwise up to 80% of the fat transferred die off or do not take-up) and are longer-lasting with the addition of ADRC and PRP. Even the ordinary aesthetic fillers last longer with ADRC and PRP.

ADRC injected into the blood has also been found to be beneficial for patients with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and other diseases.

So when you opt for rejuvenation with stem cells or other forms of cell therapy, you will benefit from both the aesthetic effect on your skin and hair (look younger), and also from the regenerative effect on your internal organs (become younger).

If you can afford it, you too can look younger, and be younger, just like the rich-and-famous!

Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic, aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine. He is a qigong master and founder of SuperQigong. For further information, e-mailstarhealth@thestar.com.my. The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

Source: The Star 31 May 2009

Local Teen Headed to China for Stem Cell Treatment

Source: Nebraska.tv

Posted: May 30, 2009 12:19 PM

Updated: June 6, 2009 11:42 AM

A local teen battling a genetic disorder will embark half-way around the world Saturday
for stem cell treatment. Why? Because it's not allowed in the U.S.

Seventeen-year-old Nate Redman of Grand Island looked closely at the picture album his sister made him Friday afternoon. Seventeen years of memories, including wrestling and marching band, have slowly faded from his sight.

"I can't read music and my balance made it hard to march. I love wrestling, I've been doing it since I was six-years-old, but I just couldn't do it anymore," he said.

What was diagnosed in eighth grade as Stargardt's disease--a form of vision loss--was rediagnosed three weeks ago at Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha as Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7. Nate started noticing loss of coordination and speech about a year ago.

"My balance, speech, vision is all connected," he said.

President Barack Obama lifted an embryonic stem cell research ban in America back in March, but the country is still far behind what China is doing: treating specific genetic diseases with adult stem cells.

Redman's treatment will use adult stem cells, from an infant's umbilical cord.

"They take and culture the cells, grow them, and then inject them. In Nate's case, they'll go into his spinal column," his dad, Doug, said.

This isn't a cure for the Grand Island Northwest soon-to-be senior, but it's a start.

His mom started a blog to detail this rare, genetic disease, which is similiar to MS, except that it's neurological. MS is considered an autoimmune disease. The only treatment available for SCA Type 7 uses adult stem cells. While not as controversial as embryonic stem cells, treatment is still banned by the FDA.

"The FDA treats stem cells like a drug," Doug Redman said.

Stem cell treatment can't be approved until on-going trials are successful, which Redman said could take another five to ten years.

"With this type of condition, we don't have that much time to spare," he said of the progressive disease.

China, however, allows treatments now.

"Obviously, the big thing is that we slow the progression down until we have options in the
U.S.," he said.

So, Nate and his mom are off on a five-week trip to China. Six stem cell injections into his spinal column will be followed by speech and balance therapy.

"That it could just keep getting worse is kind of a big deal for me, but the fact that I have
hope it might get better is really promising," Nate said.

Reporter's Notes: Stacia Kalinoski

Doug Redman said there's a 75 percent chance Nate will see some improvements, but he'll likely have to go back to China every year for more treatment. Since the procedure is out of the country and not FDA-approved, insurance will not cover it. Doug said they're using Nate's college funds to pay for it.

Nate is thinking ahead to attending a community college after high school, but he and his dad say it all depends on how the treatments work. Right now, he uses brail to get by in school and cannot drive.

For updates on his progress, check out his family blog:www.stemcellschina.com/blog/nateredman.

Adult bone marrow stem cells injected into skeletal muscle can repair heart tissue

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo researchers have demonstrated for the first time that injecting adult bone marrow stem cells into skeletal muscle can repair cardiac tissue, reversing heart failure.

Using an animal model, the researchers showed that this non-invasive procedure increased myocytes, or heart cells, by two-fold and reduced cardiac tissue injury by 60 percent.

The therapy also improved function of the left ventricle, the primary pumping chamber of the heart, by 40 percent and reduced fibrosis, the hardening of the heart lining that impairs its ability to contract, by up to 50 percent.

"This work demonstrates a novel non-invasive mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapeutic regimen for heart failure based on an intramuscular delivery route," said Techung Lee, Ph.D., UB associate professor of biochemistry and senior author on the paper.

Mesenchymal stem cells are found in the bone marrow and can differentiate into a variety of cell types.

"Injecting MSCs or factors released by MSCs improved ventricular function, promoted myocardial regeneration, lessened apoptosis (cell death) and fibrotic remodeling, recruited bone marrow progenitor cells and induced myocardial expression of multiple growth factor genes," Lee said.

"These findings highlight the critical 'cross-talks' between the injected MSCs and host tissues, culminating in effective cardiac repair for the failing heart."

The paper reporting this development appears online in the Articles-in-Press section of the American Journal of Physiology -- Heart Circulation Physiology athttp://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/00186.2009v1

The heart disease death rate has dropped significantly in the last three decades due to better treatments, resulting in large numbers of people living with heart failure. This advance has lead to another health hurdle: The only therapy available to reverse the decline in cardiac function is heart transplantation, and donor hearts are very scarce.

Clinical trials of myocardial stem cell therapy traditionally have relied on surgery -- infusing the stem cells directly into the heart or injecting them into the myocardium, the heart muscle -- invasive methods that can result in harmful scar tissue, arrhythmia, calcification or small vessel blockages.

"In our research with a swine model of heart failure," said Lee, "we've found that only 1-to-2 percent of MSCs infused into the myocardium grafted into the heart, and there was no evidence that they differentiated into heart muscle cells. In addition, diseased tissue is not a healthy environment for cell growth.

"For these reasons, and because patients with heart failure are not good surgical risks, it made sense to explore a non-invasive cell delivery approach," said Lee. "An important feature of MSCs is their ability to produce a plethora of tissue healing effects, known as "tropic factors," which can be harnessed for stem cell therapy for heart failure.

Lee noted that the multiple trophic factors produced by MSCs have been shown in the literature to be capable of reducing tissue injury, inhibiting fibrosis, promoting angiogenesis, stimulating recruitment and proliferation of tissue stem cells, and reducing inflammatory oxidative stress, a common cause of cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

"Since skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the body and can withstand repeated injection of large number of stem cells, we thought it would be a good method to deliver MSCs," Lee said. "We hypothesized that MSCs, via secretion of these functionally synergistic trophic factors, would be able to rescue the failing heart even when delivered away from the myocardium.

"This study proves our hypothesis," said Lee. "We've demonstrated that injecting MSCs, or trophic factors released by MSCs, into skeletal muscle improved ventricular function, promoted regeneration of heart tissue, decreased cell death and improved other factors that cause heart failure.

"This non-invasive stem cell administration regimen, if validated clinically, is expected to facilitate future stem cell therapy for heart failure."

Lee said the next step is to use genetic and pharmacological engineering to make the stem cells more active, so good therapeutic effects can be achieved with fewer cells.

"That is our goal. It would reduce the cost of stem cell therapy and make it more affordable for patients in the future."

Arsalan Shabbir and David Zisa, graduate students in UB's M.D./Ph.D. Medical Science Training Program, and Gen Suzuki, Ph.D., research scientist in the UB Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, also contributed to the research.

The work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and New York State Stem Cell Science (NYSTEM).

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Forbes: Vescell Stem Cell Therapy Saves Heart Failure Patient

New Stem Cell Research Helping Heart Patients Now

Nashville, Tennessee 5/27/2009 12:00 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Vescell stem cell therapy, a treatment in which the patient’s own Adult Stem Cells are used to heal their heart disease was recently featured in a Forbes article.

The Forbes article focuses on Anderson Jordan, age 72, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure and severe coronary artery disease. Jordan, who at the time, was fading fast, took a leap of faith, even though his doctor resisted the idea of traveling from Nashville, Tennessee to Thailand for stem cell treatment.

As a result of having his own Adult Stem Cells implanted, Jordan’sejection fraction increased from 19% to 35%, which impressed his internist. Dr. William E. Baucom, Jordan's internist states in Forbes, "There is no way to know the exact reason, but [Jordan] has improved and he does look good today."

What is Vescell?A key aspect of VesCell therapy is the advanced cell isolation and expansion technique that allows for the stem cells to be harvested from blood collected in a procedure similar to a common blood donation. VesCell uses a patient’s own adult stem cells to treat Heart Disease and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and is a viable therapeutic possibility for heart or PAD patients without any other treatment option.

Jordan is the latest heart patient treated with Vescell ™ stem cell treatment featured in a major publication. Other heart patients treated with Vescell ™ have been featured in Reuters, Business Weekly, twice in Time Magazine, World Economic Forum and seen on ABC and National Geographic.

Vescell ™ stem cell therapy is published in peer-reviewed journals such as The British Journal of Hematology, The European Journal of Heart Failure, BioProcessing Journal, Asian Cardiovascular Thoracic Annals, and the American Heart Association’s Circulation Research.

Signs are good for Sophie after pioneering stem cell treatment

ONE DAY AT A TIME: Sophie Edwards, who suffers from a rare form of leukaemia, is progressing well after undergoing pioneering treatment.

A GIRL diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia is progressing well after undergoing pioneering stem cell treatment after an earlier bone marrow transplant failed.

Sophie Edwards's family say they are taking one day at a time after the eight-year-old underwent the stem cell treatment three months ago.

Her mother, Emma Edwards, of Newsome, Huddersfield, said last night: "She is a lot better."

After her bone marrow transplant failed earlier this year, Mrs Edwards and her husband, Andrew, know only too well that Sophie's condition can suddenly change but so far all the signs are good.

Three months ago Sophie underwent a type of stem cell treatment that was the first of its kind in Leeds. Doctors used part of the original bone marrow left over from the previous transplant, but as Sophie was so ill there wasn't time for it to be treated, so instead it was transplanted unprepared and chemotherapy used to get rid of the cells she didn't need.

The original transplant took place at St James's Hospital, in Leeds, in October, but she rejected the transplant in January.

Sophie was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in February last year. Doctors then found Sophie was suffering from leukaemia with Philadelphia chromosome, which occurs in chronic leukaemia cases.

Source:  www.yorkshirepost.co.uk  27 May 2009