“Latest Stem Cells News”

What are the biological processes that stem cells go through? What are the industrial processes we need to manufacturing? What do we know about cancer stem cells? How do iPS cells fit into the picture vs. embryonic stem cells? In this episode we investigate how the science and research of stem cells is being translated into industrial cell processes to create FDA approvable, and commercializable products. Differentiation, proliferation, migration, retro-differentiation, trans-differentiation, transformation into cancer cells, the role of tumors‘ micro environments and epigenetics and all reviewed here by the field’s foremost experts.

Reviewing the technology, business models, intellectual property, regulatory concerns, transplantation and immune rejection.

from http://biobusiness.tv/videos/202

DaVinci Biosciences LLC, of Costa Mesa, CA, announced today the presentation of their safety and feasibility study demonstrating the administration of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells for the treatment of acute and chronic spinal cord injury at Neuroscience 2009, Society for Neuroscience’s 39th Annual Meeting, to be held at McCormick Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Rafael Gonzalez, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development for DaVinci Biosciences LLC will present the work during the conference on October 20, 2009 and be available to answer questions regarding the study, following his presentation.

“We are excited to share the findings of this study in such a public forum. This study successfully demonstrates not only the safety and feasibility of using autologous adult stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries, but also that the clinical procedure for delivering these cells is safe as well,” said Dr. Gonzalez.

The abstract highlights data from 8 patients that underwent the treatment which used stem cells harvested from the patients’ own bone marrow to side step any immune rejection response, and features the documented evaluations from a 2 year post surgical follow up period. Furthermore, it illustrates new data obtained from 46 patients that participated in the study using stem cells harvested from the patients’ own bone marrow. Magnetic resonance imaging data of the spinal cord, obtained from those who were treated, shows morphological changes within the damaged areas. In addition, this study documents the improved function of bladder control, ASIA motor scoring and Barthel scoring.

“Although this study was successful, we will build upon the results that we have achieved and the methods we have developed to progress into a larger clinical program. Responsibly, but timely developing ways to improve the quality of life for those affected with injuries or diseases, such as spinal cord injury, is the core of our mission and we are optimistic about the opportunity of conducting future studies in the US,” said Dr. Gonzalez.

from http://www.dvbiosciences.com/

A breakthrough was achieved recently in the case of an 18 year old boy, a case of advanced stage of Aplastic anemia where stem cells of not one but three donors were used to treat him. This spectacular feat was achieved by the doctors at The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute (NSCBCRI) Kolkata.

18 year old Aman, student of class 12, fainted in school. He was diagnosed for Aplastic Anemia, a disorder where the bone marrow stops producing red blood cells and platelets. He was treated in many hospitals, but no amount of blood transfusions or ‘immuno-suppressant’ medication could help.

Dejected and depressed, Aman’s parents had almost lost their son when they happened to read a news report by chance. The doctors at NSCBCRI had successfully conducted an SCT to treat Aplastic anemia. . “I wanted to live on, and my parents saw a ray of hope, ”said Aman.
With recent advances in medicine the use of stem cells have been very effective in treating Diabetes milletus, Parkinson’s diseases, cancer, leukemia and Aplastic anemia .

They have been very effective in Bone marrow transplantation
Aman was rushed to Kolkata, but by then his condition had deteriorated. The doctors realized that only a multiple- unit SCT could save him. Overruling the risks they conducted the transplant which took three days.

With 50% chances of risk involved in a single unit SCT, the doctors had a bigger risk at hand, but a similar case conducted successfully in Seattle gave them the courage.
Today Aman Khandelwal is recouping. Thanks to the courage, confidence and competence of the doctors who treated upon him.

from http://www.beviga.com/1401/stem-cell-transplant-a-miracle/

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) have agreed to collaborate on stem cell research. The agreement will make it easier to form cross-border teams that are working in similar areas. If the teams’ funding requests are approved, the researchers in each country will be supported by their respective agency, CIRM or MOST. The formal announcement, made today, adds details to a story that ChinaBio® Today originally broke late last week (…)

“Our collaboration will benefit patients in our countries and patients around the globe,” said Wan Gang, Minister, MOST. “We should be aware that stem cell research will require a long-term effort and basic research to address unanswered questions. When we move to medical therapies, it must be with the highest standards.”

“One of CIRM’s primary goals is to accelerate the field of stem cell research as a whole, and in some instances we can do this more effectively through collaborations that involve the best scientific endeavors, regardless of geography,” said CIRM’s Trounson. “China is developing a major national program in stem cells and regenerative medicine that can be effectively matched with California’s excellence in stem cell science that is rapidly evolving in academic and biotechnology settings. I would expect major developments for patients to occur through this new partnership.”

CIRM was established in 2005 by a California ballot initiative that provided $3 billion in funding for stem cell research in California institutions. The money is to be allocated over 10 years. So far, CIRM has approved 307 research and facility grants for a total of more than $781 million. CIRM claims to be the largest source of funding for human embryonic stem cell research in the world.

from http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewarticle/articleid/3562981

Several cell-based therapy approaches could provide new treatments for patients with Alport syndrome, reports an upcoming paper in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

“Our study opens up many considerations of how new therapies related to the use of stem cells can be devised for our kidney patients with chronic disease,” comments Raghu Kalluri, MD, PhD (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA) (…)

The experiments provide evidence that stem cell treatments could repair the kidney defects associated with Alport syndrome. “We found that stem cells derived from adult bone marrow are equally useful as embryonic stem cells,” says Kalluri. “This will make it easier to translate these scientific discoveries to a treatment protocol for patients with Alport syndrome.” (…)

from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091015171451.htm