Public release date: 7-Nov-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Deborah Mann Lake deborah.m.lake@uth.tmc.edu 713-500-3030 University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

HOUSTON (Nov. 7, 2012) Administering stem cells derived from patients' own bone marrow either three or seven days after a heart attack is safe but does not improve heart function six months later, according to a clinical trial supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The results of the trial, called Transplantation In Myocardial Infarction Evaluation (TIME), mirror a previous related study, LateTIME, which found that such cells (called autologous stem cells) given two to three weeks after a heart attack did not improve heart function. Both TIME and LateTIME were conducted by the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), sponsored by the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The findings were presented Nov. 6, 2012, at the American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions in Los Angeles and appeared concurrently in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"These cells, while safe, were not better than placebo solution in providing benefit," said Lemuel Moy, III, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the CCTRN and professor of biostatistics at The University of Texas School of Public Health, part of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). "While this one cell type showed little promise, there are several new cell types that are available and we will be studying them. Cell therapy can and likely will play a major role in the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the future."

"This study was extremely valuable even though it did not provide a demonstrated health benefit after six months," said Sonia Skarlatos, Ph.D., deputy director of NHLBI's Division of Cardiovascular Sciences and member of the CCTRN. "Heart stem cell therapy research is still in its infancy, and results from early trials have varied greatly due to differences in the numbers of stem cells injected, the delivery methods used, and the compositions of the study populations. With TIME and LateTIME, we have established both safety and baseline results in two large studies that followed the same procedures for growing and then administering stem cells. This standard will inform the next steps in research on the use of stem cells to repair damaged hearts."

Skarlatos noted that another advantage of the TIME study is that CCTRN is storing samples of the stem cells taken from the participants. Investigators can examine the relationship between people who showed significant improvement during the study and the characteristics of their stem cells. Such a comparison may offer insights on the cell traits that are associated with clinical improvement.

Between July 2008 and February 2011, TIME researchers enrolled 120 volunteers (average age 57, 87.5 percent male) who suffered from moderate to severe impairment in their left ventricles the part of the heart that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body and had undergone stenting procedures following heart attacks. Those selected for the trial were assigned randomly to one of four groups: day three after heart attack stem cell injection, day three after heart attack placebo injection, day seven after heart attack stem cell treatment, or day seven after heart attack placebo treatment. The researchers developed a method of processing and purifying the stem cells to ensure that participants in the stem cell groups received a uniform dose of 150 million cells about eight hours after the cells were harvested from their bone marrow. This ensured that results would not be skewed by differences in the quantity or quality of stem cells administered.

Researchers assessed heart improvement six months after stem cell therapy by measuring the percentage of blood that was pumped out of the left ventricle during each contraction (known as the left-ventricular ejection fraction, or LVEF). The study found no significant differences between the change in LVEF readings at the six-month follow-up in either the day three or the day seven stem cell groups compared with placebo groups or with each other. Every group showed about a three percent improvement in LVEF.

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Bone marrow stem cells do not improve short-term recovery after heart attack

blood bank | The Development of Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com Umbilical cord blood is stored immediately after delivery, when the cord is cut. Diseases that are genetically based would most likely be an allogenic transplant. Human umbilical cord blood cells are very rich in stem cells and progenitor cells which make them the perfect place to take cells from and then store them in a cord blood bank or a stem cells bank. Scientists have found that umbilical blood can actually help to treat many types of medical issues. To make a long story short, the Adult Stem Cells did the trick. This would be a significant event, which would save thousands of lives of those waiting for an organ. Why would someone opt for cord blood preservation? Well, research is continually being conducted and cells extracted from this blood has already been used to treat and cure injuries and diseases. Cord Blood Banking facilities are places where you can bank your child #39;s cord blood and use it later on in life to cure life-threatening diseases. The National Cord Blood Program staff at the New York Blood Center performs cord blood collection from the expelled placenta. Because of this amazing capacity of blood cells, they have been, still are and will continue to be used more and more to save lives and cure a number of diseases. ""Umbilical cord blood contains blood-forming cells that can be used to treat life-threatening diseases and conditions. Stem cells, researchers discovered, could cure many diseases such as leukemia and ...From:hotelesenMelgarViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:18More inScience Technology

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Stem Cells | Stem Cell Malaysia
stemcellmalaysia.com Stem cells are cells which have the potential to develop into virtually any cells of the body. The characteristics of stem cells render them great possibility in treating illness as well as health rejuvenation. Stem cells can repair and renew damaged cells as well as replace the dead ones so that a damaged organ or tissue can be healed to its healthy state. Visit Stem Cell Malaysia at http:/stemcellmalaysia.com/ for more information on stem cells and stem cell therapy.From:stemcells2012Views:1 1ratingsTime:06:33More inHowto Style

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Thelma before Stem Cell Therapy
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PURTIER Live Stem Cell Therapy - 4th Edition (Chinese Version).mp4
PURTIER Live Stem Cell Therapy - 4th Edition (Chinese Version) Please contact Pearly @ +65 9338 9541 for more detailsFrom:PurtierPearlyViews:1 0ratingsTime:08:01More inPeople Blogs

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FAQ-12 of 19: Are Our Stem Cell Doctors Qualified for Stem Cell Therapy?
youtu.be The straight answer to this question might surprise you, but only if you think stem cell therapy is something that was approved for certain patients THIS year. And for more surprising, encouraging details on stem cell therapies and your particular case, visit bit.ly today.From:Harvey WallbangerViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:55More inPeople Blogs

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FAQ-12 of 19: Are our stem cell doctors qualified in stem cell therapy?
youtu.be Are our stem cell doctors qualified in stem cell therapy? The straight answer to this question might surprise you, but only if you think stem cell therapy is something that was approved for certain patients THIS year. And for more surprising, encouraging details on stem cell therapies and your particular case, visit bit.ly today.From:John PepperViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:55More inPeople Blogs

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FAQ-14 of 19: Do Your Stem Cell Doctors Offer a Guarantee for Stem Cell Therapy?
youtu.be This video addresses the ethical, practical aspects of a #39;guarantee #39; for stem cell therapy or stem cell treatments. For more detailed information concerning guarantees, stem cell therapy and your particular problem, visit bit.ly today.From:John PepperViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:15More inPeople Blogs

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FAQ-13 of 19: What Kind of Stem Cell Therapy is the Right Stem Cell for Me?
youtu.be This answers the #39;what do I need for ME? #39; question, and for your questions, go to bit.ly This seeks to answer the #39;what do I need for ME? #39; question, although it is a personal question not readily answerable online, so for your questions, go to bit.lyFrom:Lek WorkerViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:28More inScience Technology

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Arthritis
Call: 305-695-7777 For More Information Arthritis has been something historically very hard to cure, but we maybe one step closer to a cure by using stem cell therapies instead of steroids and other types of medications. At Miami Beach Foot and Ankle Surgery we have been utilizing PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy as well as amniotic stem cell therapy, which is important in the world of arthritis.From:MiamiFootSurgeryViews:11 0ratingsTime:01:12More inHowto Style

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blood banks | Cryo-Cell - Cord Blood Banking Information For Parents
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com One main reason behind the importance of saving your newborn #39;s blood is that its use is mostly geared to close relatives within your direct bloodline. Why Bank Cord Blood?Cell therapy has become a more ideal method to treat certain diseases than bone morrow transplants. Human umbilical cord blood cells are rich in mescenchymal progenitor cells and contain a large number of endothelial cell precursors. I know this all sounds very technical and expensive. Relatives or other close friends who haven #39;t gone through cord blood banking may also benefit from the stem cells that can be derived from cord blood banking if and only if they will pose a close match with the cord blood banking donor #39;s stem cells. How is it stored?At the time of the baby #39;s birth, the doctor or nurse takes the cord blood and cryogenically freezes it. 4. As for other applications, though promising, they are still in the research stage. Stem cells are early cells that are capable of developing into red and white blood cells, and platelets. Numerous study reports reveal that more than 50 per cent of the potential donors are not eligible to donate cord blood. There is no clear proof to validate that stem cells of a relative are more successful than those taken from a stranger. So, day-by-day man is trying to reach the ultimate knowledge. Even if a lot of people think that extracting stem cells from human embryos is unethical, those stem cells can also be extracted from ...From:LosHotelesEnBogotaViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:31More inTravel Events

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Dr. Alex Meissner -- Advances in Stem Cell Research
Learn more at http://www.invitrogen.com Dr. Alex Meissner, Assistant Professor at the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology at Harvard University, discusses how next generation sequencing has revolutionized the way we look at stem cells and perform stem cell research. Dr. Meissner talks about the challenges of interpreting genome wide data to provide stem cells with the right cues for efficient proliferation and differentiation and how the resulting cell models can be used to improve compound screening and cell therapy research applications.From:LifeTechnologiesCorpViews:46 1ratingsTime:02:56More inEducation

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cord blood center | Cord Blood Transplantation - A Life Savior Technique
http://www.cordbloodrecommendation.com Storing your babies blood is painless, and causes no harm or pain to the child or mother. Anything that can help cure illnesses and several genetic diseases is worth at least researching and contemplating because you really do never know when you may need it. This type of stem cells is found in baby cord blood and adult bone marrow. Umbilical blood banking provides the ideal stem cell match should a patient require stem cell therapy in their lifetime. Hence opt for cord blood storage banks that can show proof of successful transplants from the cord blood units they have stored in order to avoid rude shocks. If you are an expecting mother, you can look for a bank or designated donation hospital in your community. In cases of leukemia, stem cells can be used to generate healthy blood and fight off the cancer cells in the body. Furthermore, collecting umbilical cord blood has no controversy since the process does not cause the destruction on the embryos and fetus. ""Leukemia is a type of cancer that begins from those tissues in the body that form blood. Ultra-modern cord blood banking technologies induce multiplication of cord blood stem cells by ex vivo expansion. Last but not the least, if you do not want to store the blood for your personal usage in any of these banks you can also donate it to the Medical Institutes for research purposes. Stem cells, researchers discovered, could cure many diseases such as leukemia and help others such as ...From:Implantes DentalesViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:31More inTravel Events

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FAQ-8 of 19: Do Stem Cells Have Side Effects In Stem Cell Therapy?
youtu.be The near-miraculous effects of stem cell treatments, when applied by qualified, licensed medical practitioners, is even more wonderful precisely because there are almost no known ill effects or side effects. So for more detailed and personalized information, go to StemCell-Asia.info to learn more on the Apply Now page httpFrom:Karridine1Views:0 0ratingsTime:00:53More inPeople Blogs

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MANILA, Philippines Its supposed to cure various illnesses such as cancer, spinal cord injury and Parkinsons disease. Is stem cell therapy the cure-all that it is touted to be?

Health Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa said it is important to note that stem cell treatments are still at the experimental stage.

"The advisory is very clear. This is still an investigative form of therapy. Anecdotal reports are not enough evidence to say there is treatment, he said in an interview on ANC's Talkback with Tina Palma.

He said there are only two standard stem cell therapies considered effective and acceptable to the medical community.

"To date, I can only name two cases that are considered standard therapy. That is bone marrow transplantation--one for severe cancer, blood cancer and the other one is bone marrow transplantation after chemotherapy for any type of cancer, he said.

Herbosa said the Department of Health cannot confirm yet if stem cell treatment is indeed effective against certain diseases.

Dr. Tranquilino Elicao Jr., an oncologist who availed of the treatment in April in Frankfurt, Germany, said stem cell therapy cured his high blood pressure, sugar, cholesterol and uric acid.

He had 12 injections of cells, which came from lambs.

After a month, I had my blood tests. Everything went down to normal, Elicao said.

Elicao also said he is not taking medication anymore because he has regained his health.

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Stem cell therapy a cure-all? Not so fast

Manila, Philippines The Department of Health (DoH) warned yesterday against the proliferation of commercial establishments offering stem cell treatment for medical or aesthetic purposes.

DoH Secretary Enrique T. Ona said the use and effects of stem cell therapy is still being investigated by doctors while the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has yet to release the standards and regulations governing the safety of its use. Although this technology holds promise, stem cell therapy is not yet part of standard of care and is considered an investigative procedure for compassionate use. Applications of stem cells for the treatment of malignancies, blood disorders, degenerative diseases (such as Alzheimers Disease), metabolic diseases (e.g. diabetes), and immune cell therapy are still under clinical evaluation and study, Ona said in a statement.

While research has shown that adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells are the safest and most ethical, the public is warned that claims of preventive and curative bene ts of stem cell therapy are still on their investigative stage. Thus, the Department of Health (DoH) advises the public to be cautious with stem cell therapies being promoted in the media or through word of mouth, he added.

The DoH noted that there is an increasing demand for the use of stem cells in cancer therapy, endorgan diseases, and regenerative medicine.

But until a conclusive study has been completed, health of cials said the public is strongly advised to avoid stem cell therapies which use the following as sources for stem cells: Embryonic stem cells, aborted fetuses, and geneticallyaltered and animal fresh cells.

The DoH will soon issue guidelines for the use of stem cell therapy and the process of giving license to facilities offering such services, Ona noted. (Jenny F. Manongdo)

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ScienceDaily (Oct. 15, 2012) New animal studies provide additional support for investigating stem cell treatments for Parkinson's disease, head trauma, and dangerous heart problems that accompany spinal cord injury, according to research findings released today.

The work, presented at Neuroscience 2012, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health, shows scientists making progress toward using stem cell therapies to repair neurological damage.

The studies focused on using stem cells to produce neurons -- essential, message-carrying cells in the brain and spinal cord. The loss of neurons and the connections they make for controlling critical bodily functions are the chief hallmarks of brain and spinal cord injuries and of neurodegenerative afflictions such as Parkinson's disease and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

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Other recent findings discussed show that:

"As the fields of developmental and regenerative neuroscience mature, important progress is being made to begin to translate the promise of stem cell therapy into meaningful treatments for a range of well-defined neurological problems," said press conference moderator Jeffrey Macklis, MD, of Harvard University and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, an expert on development and regeneration of the mammalian central nervous system. "Solid, rigorous, and well-defined pre-clinical work in animals can set the stage toward human clinical trials and effective future therapies."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Society for Neuroscience (SfN), via AlphaGalileo.

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Realizing the potential of stem cell therapy: Studies report progress in developing treatments for diseases and injuries

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) announced that data on Neuralstem's NSI-566 spinal cord-derived neural stem cell line in a rat model of ischemic stroke was presented in a poster, "Histopathological Assessment of Adult Ischemic Rat Brains after 4 Weeks of Intracerebral Transplantation of NSI-566RSC Cell Line," at The Society for Neurosciences Annual Meeting (http://www.sfn.org/AM2012/). This study was conducted independently in the laboratory of Dr. Cesar Borlongan, who is the director at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. Post-mortem histology was conducted in collaboration with Neuralstem. Rats that suffered ischemic stroke by middle cerebral artery occlusion, were transplanted 7 days post-stroke with increasing doses of NSI-566 into the stroke area. The animals were followed for safety and behavioral response for 56 days post-transplantation. Researchers reported Saturday that there was significant improvement in both motor and neurological tests in the stem cell-treated rats. There were significant dose-dependent differences in the behavioral improvement across treatment groups at post-transplantation periods, with the highest dose showing the most significant improvement in both motor and neurological tests. Similarly, there were significant differences in the behavioral performance among treatment groups at post-transplantation periods, with the most significant improvement in both motor and neurological tests seen at day 56 post-transplantation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO )

"This study was designed to evaluate the potential therapeutic value of intracerbral dosing of human neural stem cells (NSI-566, supplied by Neuralstem) in an animal model of adult ischemic stroke," said Cesar V. Borlongan, Ph.D., University of South Florida College of Medicine, and the lead study author. "The results are very clear. The recovery of motor and neurological tests demonstrated by high-dose transplanted stroke animals was significantly better throughout the 56-day study period compared to vehicle-infused stroke animals, or low-dosed animals. In addition, there was stable improvement in the high-dose animals, and they showed a trend of better improvement over time."

A separate poster, "Survival and Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells (NSI-566RSC) After Grafting into Ischemia-Injured Porcine Brain," was also presented on Saturday. This study was independently carried out by Dr. Martin Marsala and his colleagues. Dr. Marsala is a professor and the head of the Neuroregeneration Laboratory at University of California San Diego and also a member of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. In this study, the same stem cells were transplanted into the brains of pigs that received an ischemic stroke on one side of the brain. 8-9 weeks after the ischemic event, which models chronic stroke in humans, feasibility and safety of escalating cell doses and injections were assessed. Body temperature, behavior, muscle tone and coordination, sensory function, food consumption, defecation, and micturition were monitored at least twice daily for the first 7 days, and once weekly thereafter, until termination. Up to 12 million cells in 25 cell injection deposits via 5 cannula penetrations were shown to be safe, which closely mimics the intended clinical route and method of delivery in future human clinical trials. At 6 weeks post-transplantation, there were no complications from the cell transplantation method or the cells. All animals recovered and showed progressive improvement with no distinction. All treated animals showed effective engraftment and neuronal maturation with extensive axonal projections. These data support the application of NSI-566RSC cell line to be transplanted into a chronic stage of previously ischemia-injured brain for treatment of motor deficits resulting from stroke.

"Our study was designed to evaluate the potential value of Neuralstem's cells in a chronic model of ischemic stroke and in a species that allowed for the use of human scale transplantation tools and dosing," said Martin Marsala, MD, at the University of California at San Diego Medical School, and the lead study author of the porcine study. "We have demonstrated clearly that both the route of administration and the cells are safe and well tolerated and that the cells survived and differentiated into mature neurons in the host brain tissue."

"We have demonstrated safety and efficacy of NSI-566RSC in a subacute model of ischemic stroke in rats and feasibility and safety in a chronic model of ischemic stroke in mini-pigs," said Karl Johe, PhD, Chairman of Neuralstem's Board of Directors and Chief Scientific Officer. "Together, these two studies demonstrate strong proof of principle data that our NSI-566 cells are ready to go into humans to treat paralysis in stroke patients."

Neuralstem has recently completed a Phase I trial testing the safety of NSI-566 in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) and has been approved to initiate a human clinical trial in ischemic stroke in China, through its subsidiary, Suzhou Neuralstem.

About Neuralstem

Neuralstem's patented technology enables the ability to produce neural stem cells of the human brain and spinal cord in commercial quantities, and the ability to control the differentiation of these cells constitutively into mature, physiologically relevant human neurons and glia. Neuralstem has recently treated the last patient in an FDA-approved Phase I safety clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, and has been awarded orphan status designation by the FDA.

In addition to ALS, the company is also targeting major central nervous system conditions with its NSI-566 cell therapy platform, including spinal cord injury, ischemic stroke and glioblastoma (brain cancer). The company has submitted an IND (Investigational New Drug) application to the FDA for a Phase I safety trial in spinal cord injury.

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Significant Recovery Of Motor And Neurological Functions In Ischemic Stroke Rats With Neuralstem NSI-566 Cells

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

Contact: Karen Robinson karobinson@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590 University of Maryland Medical Center

A new method of using adult stem cells as a model for the hereditary condition Gaucher disease could help accelerate the discovery of new, more effective therapies for this and other conditions such as Parkinson's, according to new research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine reprogrammed stem cells to develop into cells that are genetically similar to and react to drugs in a similar way as cells from patients with Gaucher disease. The stem cells will allow the scientists to test potential new therapies in a dish, accelerating the process toward drug discovery, according to the paper published online in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Oct. 15 (Panicker et.al.).

The study was funded with $1.7 million in grants from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund; researchers received a start-up grant for $200,000 in 2007 and a larger, five-year grant for $1.5 million in 2009.

"We have created a model for all three types of Gaucher disease, and used stem cell-based tests to evaluate the effectiveness of therapies," says senior author Ricardo Feldman, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and a research scientist at the University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. "We are confident that this will allow us to test more drugs faster, more accurately and more safely, bringing us closer to new treatments for patients suffering from Gaucher disease. Our findings have potential to help patients with other neurodegenerative diseases as well. For example, about 10 percent of Parkinson's disease patients carry mutations in the recessive gene for Gaucher disease, making our research possibly significant for Parkinson's disease as well."

Gaucher disease is the most frequent lipid-storage disease. It affects 1 in 50,000 people in the general population. It is most common in Ashkenazi Jews, affecting 1 in 1,000 among that specific population. The disease occurs in three subtypes Type 1 is the mildest and most common form of the disease, causing symptoms such as enlarged livers and spleens, anemia and bone disease. Type 2 causes very serious brain abnormalities and is usually fatal before the age of two, while Type 3 affects children and adolescents.

The condition is a recessive genetic disorder, meaning that both parents must be carriers for a child to suffer from Gaucher. However, said Dr. Feldman, studies have found that people with only one copy of a mutated Gaucher gene those known as carriers are at an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

"This science is a reflection of the mission of the University of Maryland School of Medicine to take new treatments from bench to bedside, from the laboratory to patients, as quickly as possible," says E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs at the University of Maryland and John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "We are excited to see where this research goes next, bringing new hope to Gaucher patients and their families."

Dr. Feldman and his colleagues used the new reprogramming technology developed by Shinja Yamanaka in Japan, who was recognized with this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology. Scientists engineered cells taken from the skin of Gaucher patients, creating human induced pluripotent stem cells, known as hiPSC stem cells that are theoretically capable of forming any type of cell in the body. Scientists differentiated the cells to form white blood cells known as macrophages and neuronal cells.

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University of Maryland School of Medicine scientists develop stem cell model for hereditary disease

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Bay Area stem cell researchers are reporting early, encouraging results from two clinical trials. The first, involves patients, paralyzed with spinal cord injuries and a treatment that could offer new hope for their future.

Nearly 20 years after the football injury that left him paralyzed, Roman Reed still holds onto the hope that he will someday walk again.

"One hundred percent, without a doubt. I've been wrong about the date, but not the fact I will walk again," said Reed.

Reed now runs a foundation to promote stem cell research and has been closely watching a clinical trial being conducted by Bay Area based Stem Cells Inc. Its goal is to use stem cell therapy to restore motor function in patients with spinal cord injuries.

"We're on the road on to being able to cure paralysis, it's so important, and stem cells are the way to do it," said Reed.

Stephen Huhn, M.D., Ph.D., from Stem Cells Inc., says the test procedure began a two hour surgery to clear a path to the spinal cord. Researchers then injected the cells directly into the damaged area.

"So the first three patients in the trial were designed to enroll patients who had the worst of the worst injuries. In other words, complete loss of sensory function and complete loss of motor function below the level of injury," said Huhn.

The phase one trials are all about establishing safety, but six months out, the researchers began measuring some intriguing improvements in two of those three patients. Both reported feeling in areas below the areas of their injuries.

The company cautions that the data is very preliminary, but they say researchers were able to measure the improved sensory response using several testing methods, including electrical stimulation, and response to heat -- which are considered more accurate than the patient's own self-reporting.

"You can't fake that. When we saw that data, that's when we became very excited," said Martin McGlynn, the CEO of Stems Cells Inc.

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Bay Area stem cell researchers see encouraging results