Stem cells grow new windpipe for 2-year-old girl facing death

Experimental stem-cell treatment has been credited with saving the life of a 2-year-old girl who was born without a windpipe.

The Associated Press reported that the treatment involved extracting cells from the girls own hip bone marrow. The cells were then seeded on a plastic base, and left for a week to multiply and grow. They grew into a windpipe, which was subsequently implanted on the girl, Hannah Warren, in a nine-hour surgery on April 9, AP reported.

Until her operation, the girl who was born in South Korea in 2010 had not been able to breathe or eat without medical assistance. She had spent her entire life in a Seoul hospital, awaiting death until being transported to the United States for the experimental treatment.

Early prognosis is positive.

Doctors said Tuesday she will likely be able to lead a normal life, AP reported.

We feel like shes reborn, said her father, Darryl Warren, in the AP report. They hope that she can do everything that a normal child can do, but its going to take time. This is a brand new road that all of us are on. This is her only chance, but shes got a fantastic one and an unbelievable one.

The surgery was performed at Childrens Hospital of Illinois. The girl is the youngest patient to ever receive the treatment, doctors said, in the AP report.

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Stem cells grow new windpipe for 2-year-old girl facing death

Clarifying the effect of stem cell therapy on cancer

Apr. 28, 2013 Injection of human stem cells into mice with tumors slowed down tumor growth, finds research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), isolated from bone marrow, caused changes in blood vessels supplying the tumor, and it is this modification of blood supply which seems to impact tumor growth.

The use of stem cells in treating cancer has been controversial, with some studies finding that stem cells force tumors to enter programmed cell death. However other studies find that stem cells actually promote tumor growth by inducing infiltration of new blood vessels. In attempting to sort out this puzzle researchers from INSERM groups at Universit Joseph Fourier in collaboration with CHU de Grenoble investigated the impact of MSC on already established subcutaneous or lung metastasis in mice.

For both the subcutaneous and lung tumors, injection of MSC reduced cell division, consequently slowing the rate of tumor growth. Part of the mode of action of stem cells therefore appears to be due to with angiogenesis, but the mechanism behind this is still unclear.

Claire Rome who led this study explained, "We found that MSC altered vasculature inside the tumor -- although new blood vessels were generated, overall they were longer and fewer than in untreated tumors. This could be restricting the oxygen and nutrients to the tumor, limiting cell division." She continued, "Our study confirms others which propose that stem cells, in particular MSC, might be one way forwards in treating cancer."

Commenting on this study Celia Gomes, from the University of Coimbra, said, "One of the interesting questions this study raises is when MSC promote tumor growth and when they restrict it. The answer seems to be timing -- this study looks at already established tumors, while others, which find that MSC increase growth, tend to be investigating new tumors. This is a first step in the path to identifying exactly which patients might benefit from stem cell therapy and who will not."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by BioMed Central, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Clarifying the effect of stem cell therapy on cancer

Cryo-Save Group N.V. – Cord blood sample release for stem cell transplantation

Cryo-Save Group N.V. (Euronext: CRYO, `Cryo-Save`, or `the Group`), the leading international stem cell storage company and the largest family stem cell bank in Europe, announced a stem cell transplantation in Spain to treat Blackfan-Diamond Aneamia. It is the first time in Spain that this congenital anaemia, classified as a rare disease, has been treated using cord blood stem cells which were stored with Cryo-Save. A 4-year-old boy was treated for Blackfan-Diamond anaemia (BDA) with a stem cell transplant from his sister`s umbilical cord blood. The transplant was performed on April 25 at the Hospital del Nio Jess in Madrid, one of the most important paediatric hospitals in Spain. The transplantation was successful, and the child is expected to make a normal recovery. This pioneering treatment in Spain may herald a radical improvement in the child`s quality of life, as since birth he has required regular red blood cell transfusions. "Up until the transplantation our life was bound to red blood cell transfusions. We could hardly be happier, because now our son will be able to lead a completely normal life", said Elena, the boy`s mother. The parents had only found out about the possibility of this type of treatment when Elena was pregnant with her daughter, now the cord blood donor. "We had the opportunity to heal our son, if the sample was compatible, and we could not forego it", she said. "Our daughter will be very happy when she learns that her brother got better thanks to her", she added. "Blackfan-Diamond anaemia is a congenital disease that prevents the bone marrow from producing the red blood cells needed to carry oxygen throughout the body", explained Dr. Luis Madero, Head of the Oncohaematology Department of the Hospital Nio Jess in Madrid, and the physician who performed the transplantation. Until recently, the main treatments were periodical red blood cell transfusions, which clearly affects the patient`s quality of life, and long-term corticosteroid therapy, which is not tolerated in all cases. "The transplantation of umbilical cord blood stem cells, especially between siblings, is now a recommended treatment option for certain types of haematological diseases, such as BDA. The benefits versus other treatments for this disease are clear and confirmed by several studies", asserted Dr. Madero.

Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Executive officer, commented: "We are very proud and pleased to have contributed to alleviating this family`s suffering. Cryo-Save strives to serve society by offering the highest quality in stem cell cryopreservation and supporting innovative stem cell therapies that could save lives and improve the quality of life of patients.

"This successful stem cell transplantation is another example of the implementation of our mission, the quality of our internal procedures and underlines the importance of storing umbilical cord blood stem cells for potential family needs."

Enquiries:

Cryo-Save Group, Arnoud van Tulder, Chief Executive Officer, + 31 (0) 575 509 100

The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Cryo-Save Group N.V. via Thomson Reuters ONE HUG#1697135

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Cryo-Save Group N.V. - Cord blood sample release for stem cell transplantation

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Names Istvan Redei, MD, as National Director of Stem Cell Transplant and …

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) announced the appointment of Istvan Redei, MD, as National Director of Stem Cell Transplant and Cell Therapy. Dr. Redei, is based at the CTCA Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, Illinois where he continues to serve as the Director of Stem Cell Therapy and Cell Therapy Program. Since joining CTCA he and his team have been responsible for treating over 700 analytic hematologic patients and performing nearly 200 transplant procedures.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090612/CTCALOGO)

"It is through Dr. Redei's leadership and vision," said Roger Cary, Chief Operating Officer, "that the stem cell transplant and cell therapy program at Midwestern has grown to be a premier center of healing and hope for those battling hematologic malignancies such as acute and chronic leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), lymphomas, and multiple myeloma."

Dr. Redei is a graduate of Szilagyi Erzebet College, Budapest, Hungary with a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to receive his Doctoral qualifications at Semmelweis Ignac Medical University, Budapest, Hungary. He has trained at New York Medical College, Temple University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Emory University School of Medicine. At Emory University Dr. Redei was part of the Quality Improvement Committee, Clinical Research Committee and Working Committee for Bone Marrow Transplant and Leukemia program. Dr. Redei received the Semmelweis Ignac Medical University Scholarship, graduated Summa cum laude and was named one of the "Top Doctors" in Atlanta in 2001.

About Cancer Treatment Centers of America Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Inc. (CTCA) is a national network of hospitals focusing on complex and advanced stage cancer. CTCA offers a comprehensive, fully integrative approach to cancer treatment and serves patients from all 50 states at facilities located in Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Tulsa. Known for delivering the Mother Standard of care and Patient Empowerment Medicine, CTCA provides patients with information about cancer and their treatment options so they can control their treatment decisions. For more information about CTCA, go to http://www.cancercenter.com.

SOURCE Cancer Treatment Centers of America

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Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Names Istvan Redei, MD, as National Director of Stem Cell Transplant and ...

Hormone Dramatically Increases Insulin Production, Possible Diabetes Breakthrough

Editor's Choice Main Category: Diabetes Article Date: 26 Apr 2013 - 9:00 PDT

Current ratings for: Hormone Dramatically Increases Insulin Production, Possible Diabetes Breakthrough

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The authors wrote that betatrophin might also help patients with type 1 diabetes, or juvenile diabetes when they are first diagnosed.

In animal experiments the researchers found that betatrophin caused laboratory mice to produce beta cells at up to 30 times the normal rate. Beta cells are the insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas - put simply, beta cells produce insulin.

These new beta cells only produce insulin when the body requires it. The scientists explained that this breakthrough could mean that type 2 diabetes patients may have a natural regulation of insulin, plus a considerable reduction in diabetes-related complications. Diabetes is a major cause of amputations and non-genetic loss of vision.

HSCI Co-Director Doug Melton and postdoctoral fellow Peng Yi, who both discovered betatrophin, stressed that a great deal of work remains to be done before trying the hormone out on humans. They added that their work so far, which was mainly funded by a federal research grant, has already attracted the attention of pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Doug Melton, who is Harvard's Xander University Professor and co-chair of the University's Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, said:

Type 2 diabetes prevalence in the USA has increased considerably over the last thirty years, in parallel with rising obesity rates, the authors explained. The illness causes patients to gradually lose beta cells, as well as the ability to produce enough insulin.

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Many Kids Who Undergo Stem Cell Transplants Must Return to Hospital

WEDNESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Nearly two-thirds of children who received stem cell transplants were readmitted to the hospital within six months for treatment of problems such as infections and unexplained fevers, a new study finds.

Children who were given stem cells donated by other people were twice as likely to be readmitted as those who received their own stem cells, said the researchers at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center in Boston.

"No one had ever looked at these data in children," Dr. Leslie Lehmann, clinical director of pediatric stem cell transplantation, said in a cancer center news release. "This is very important information and will allow us to counsel families appropriately, as well as try to devise interventions that reduce the rate of readmissions."

Lehmann and Harvard Medical School student David Shulman analyzed the medical records of 129 children who had stem cell transplants from 2008 to 2011 and found that 64 percent of them had at least one hospital readmission within 180 days after their transplant.

Fever without a known cause accounted for 39 percent of readmissions, infections for 24 percent, and gastrointestinal problems for 15 percent, the study found.

"Most of the patients went on to be successfully treated and ultimately did very well," Lehmann said.

The researchers also found that 79 percent of children who received stem cells from a related or unrelated donor were readmitted, compared with 38 percent of those who received their own stem cells.

The findings are scheduled for presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, taking place this week in Miami. Study data and conclusions should be viewed as preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

"We hope these findings can eventually lead to identifying a group of low-risk children who could be managed at local hospitals rather than transplant centers, reducing costs and inconvenience to families," Lehmann said.

The goal is to identify which patients could be safely treated without requiring hospital admission, she said.

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Many Kids Who Undergo Stem Cell Transplants Must Return to Hospital

Bubba bounces back! Stem cell treatment for dogs

BACKGROUND: The use of stem cells to treat various health problems in pets first came about in 2003 for the treatment of horses. A few years later, stem cell treatments for household pets, such as dogs and cats, started to become available as an alternative to surgery or more serious procedures. While veterinarians continue to research different applications, so far stem cells are often used in regenerative therapy for dogs in order to help with arthritis and other joint issues. For this purpose, stem cells are taken from the dogs own fat tissue and injected directly into the diseased joints. (Source: http://www.harvardpress.com)

TREATMENT: Stem cell therapy is just one of several alternative treatment options now available for pets. Other alternative veterinary medicine includes acupuncture, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and chiropractic and aquatic therapies. Acupuncture is the application of small-gauge needles to various points on the body for the purpose of eliciting physiological responses in the treatment of almost any disease or condition. Chinese herbal medicine is mainly used with dogs because it is difficult to administer to cats. The herbs come in powder, capsule, and biscuit form. Powder is the least expensive, but most difficult to give. They are used to treat the same conditions as Western Medicine except for surgical conditions. (Source: http://www.holistic-pet-vet.com/chinese-herbal-medicine-for-pets) These treatments have gained popularity as pet owners have become more and more willing to do whatever it takes to keep their animals healthy. In fact, in 2008 the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society reported that the number of veterinarians who have completed their 156 hour long training course in animal acupuncture has quadrupled over the past decade. (Source: http://www.time.com)

NEW TECHNOLOGY: Veterinarian Ashraf Gomaa from Abbott Animal Hospital in Rehoboth, MA used stem cell therapy to help improve Bubba the bulldogs hip dysplasia. The adipose-derived stem cell procedure performed on Bubba is the first one to be done in the state Massachusetts. Dr. Gomaa extracted fat cells from Bubba and then put them through a machine which breaks the cells down to the healthy stem cells. The stem cells were then injected directly into Bubbas hip. An added benefit to the procedure is that since the animals own fat cells are used, there are no serious side effects associated with the injections. Although stem cell regenerative therapy does not cure hip dysplasia, it can greatly reduce symptoms and improve the animals ability to function. Currently, Dr. Gomaa is the only veterinarian in the area certified to perform this particular procedure. (Source: http://www.abbottanimalhospital.com)

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Bubba bounces back! Stem cell treatment for dogs

Health Beat: Stem cell treatment for dogs, cats

From repairing torn ligaments to rebuilding bones, stem cell procedures are helping mankind in many ways. Now, mans best friend is getting in on the action, too.

Bubba, a 2-1/2-year-old English bulldog, was born with severe hip dysplasia that made it difficult and painful for him to walk.

"He's had to be injected once a month the last two years to ease the pain in his joints and the hip bone," said Bob Cook, Bubba's owner.

So when Cook heard about a new stem cell procedure that could relieve Bubbas pain, he jumped at the chance.

Dr. Ashraf Gomaa, veterinarian at Abbott Animal Hospital, extracted fat from Bubba's shoulder. Enzymes were added to the fat. Then, a machine separated the stem cells. Finally, the stem cells were injected back into Bubba to help decrease his painful inflammation.

"You want to inject it as closely as possible to the joint that is affected. Those stem cells react to inflammation and they have an affinity to inflammation so they go to any area of the body that has any type of trauma," Gomaa said.

On average, the doctor said the treatment lasts one to two years and can be repeated as needed.

Cook said it's put the bounce back in Bubbas step and probably saved his life.

"If it wasn't for this, he would probably have been on some serious pain meds and probably wouldnt have lived much longer," said Cook.

The stem cell procedure is approved for dogs and cats. The doctor said dogs or cats with joint, cartilage, tendon or ligament pain are good candidates for the procedure.

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Diabetes Type 1 Stem Cell Treatment by NoMoreVitamins com – Video

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CBCP advises Kris on stem cell treatment

Published on 24 April 2013 Hits: 242 Written by Johanna M. Sampan

An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Wednesday advised actress Kristina Bernadette Kris Aquino to select the best ethical stem cell treatment for her eldest son, Joshua.

Kris Aquino is the youngest sister of President Benigno Aquino 3rd. She made waves recently when it was revealed that she was the countrys number one taxpayer.

CBCPEpiscopal Commission on Bioethics Chairman Bishop Jose Oliveros said the Catholic Church doesnt oppose the idea of the treatment providing it is done morally.

It depends on what kind of stem cells will be used and for what purpose. Morally speaking, only adult stem cells are allowed for therapeutic reasons, the prelate expressed.

On Tuesday, Aquino said she is willing to let Joshua, whom she described as a special child, to undergo stem cell treatment in Singapore.

Aquinos son with actor Philip Salvador is set to have a physical examination on Wednesday to test if he is suitable to undertake the procedure. Oliveros said the Church is not against the use of adult stem cells since the source is not subjected to any harm.

Embryonic stem cells are taken from human embryos. Its tantamount to killing an already living human being, hence immoral, the Malolos bishop explained.

Stem cell therapy is a type of intervention strategy that introduces new stem cells into damaged tissue to treat disease and injury and also for cosmetic enhancements.

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CBCP advises Kris on stem cell treatment