Stem Cell Therapy for Pets - Guiness Before After
Amazing before and after footage of Guiness, an 11 year old dog who received stem cell therapy for his arthritis and got an unexpected side benefit. For more...

By: NewmanVets

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Stem Cell Therapy for Pets - Guiness Before

Leukemia is never an easy disease to beat back, but adults with relapsed B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or B-ALL, have especially grim prospects. This particular kind of blood cancer progresses quickly, and has only a 30 to 40 percent cure rate in adults. Chemotherapy drugs can sometimes clear out the cancer the first time around, but some patients relapse, requiring another round of chemotherapy, then a bone marrow transplant. But this second round can sometimes fail because the recurring leukemia proves resistant to the drugs.

Now, in a paper published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists have successfully treated B-ALL patients by inserting new genetic material into some of their T cells. The cell therapy allows the patients immune system to find and destroy the places where the blood cancer is hiding out.

In one case, the treatment cleared up a patients leukemia in a little more than a week.

We had hoped, but couldnt have predicted that the response would be so profound and rapid, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center researcher Renier J. Brentjens told the New York Times.

Brentjens and his colleagues treated five B-ALL patients with some of their own T cells, which were genetically programmed to recognize a particular protein on the surface of B cells, the immune system cells that are affected by this kind of leukemia. The reengineered T cells then lay waste to all of the patients B cells, healthy and cancerous alike (the loss of healthy B cells can be treated later).

Were creating living drugs, senior author Michel Sadelain told the New York Times. Its an exciting story thats just beginning.

Still, the treatment is far from 100 percent perfect. Three of the five patients in the study have been in remission for anywhere between five months and two years. Another patient died of a blood clot after going in to remission, and another relapsed again possibly because a steroid treatment meant to control a side effect of the cell therapy may have wiped out the souped-up T cells before they could attack the B cells. The three survivors may yet relapse again.

And there are risks associated with the cell therapy. The T cells offensive onslaught can create whats called a cytokine storm, a potentially fatal immune chain reaction that usually induces an extremely high fever.

"This is very early in development," University of Pennsylvania researcher David Porter, who was not involved with the study, told US News & World Report. "We are just starting to learn about the short-term side effects, and we don't know about the long-term effectiveness or safety."

At the moment, this kind of cell therapy is being used as a lead-in to a bone marrow transplant. But in the future, doctors may be able to just use immunotherapy by itself.

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Cell Therapy For Aggressive Leukemia Uses Patient's Own T Cells, Has Very Promising Results

Stem cell therapy has been found useful in over 60 per cent of the patients due for liver transplant, as per a paper submitted by doctors at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi recently. Not only is the treatment less cumbersome and risky, its cost is also comparatively very reasonable.

According to the papers principal author and chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases at the Hospital, Dr. Anil Arora, a large number of patients requiring liver transplantation cannot afford it for two reasons cost and donor availability.

A living donor is needed in such plantation cases with a matching blood group and he or she also has to be a family member or a first or second degree relative. They have to donate the liver. Since Rs.20 lakh is the average cost of liver transplantation, a majority of liver cirrhosis patients can not afford it. Many times they also do not have a donor, he said.

In view of the logistical problems faced by such patients, Dr. Arora said: We started looking at the feasibility of alternative methods like using reserve cells in the body called stem cells for such treatment as it costs even less than Rs.50,000. Some of these cells can be mobilised from the bone marrow as it has the capacity to regenerate the cells. So we stimulate the bone marrow by an injection.

This injection is given for five days and it mobilises the bone marrow and some of the cells. They then come into the blood circulation. In the study we tried to filter these cells from the blood marrow using a specialised filtering machine and the concentrate of these cells. About 5 ml to 10 ml of the blood containing these concentrated group of cells was then injected into the hepatic artery, which supplies blood to the liver, explained Dr. Arora. He said this process was carried out by a number of different mechanisms and it proved quite successful. We started about two years ago and finished last year. Then these patients were followed up for another one year and we were happy to see a significant proportion of the patients having substantial improvement in the liver functions as assessed by a score called Child score.

Dr. Arora said, All patients tolerated the treatment well without any side effects. Of the 10 patients, six to seven benefited. So we believe that more frequent administration of the stem cells in large number might have a more beneficial impact.

While the study by the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital team was published this year and was approved by the Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, Dr. Arora said there is also other published data now which calls for stimulating the bone marrow and letting the cells automatically go into the liver. By this, he said, you avoid filtering and putting the blood with the stem cells into the liver. This is also equally beneficial.

Dr. Arora said stem cell therapy might act as a bridge for liver transplant and can provide some time to the patients to arrange for treatment. But just like a damaged car tyre, he said, a damaged liver after minor repairs has to be replaced. However, if a person stops taking liquor or if the therapy goes on well, then a patient can lead a healthy life for many more years.

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Stem cell therapy is new hope for liver transplant patients

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Discgenics announces the successful completion of an animal study demonstrating safety and efficacy of its novel therapy for reducing back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. This product, known as Injectable Discosphere Cell Therapy (IDCT), features Discgenics' patented, allogeneic, human disc-derived stem cell technology. The study showed that after one injection of IDCT in degenerated discs there was a restoration of disc height and tissue architecture, while noting no inflammatory response.

Discgenics CEO Flagg Flanagan said, " We are very encouraged by the results of the small animal pilot study as it shows the initial safety and efficacy of IDCT, which is produced from adult human disc-derived stem cells.We are optimistic that these early results will be indicative of our therapy's performance in further animal studies and will accelerate us toward human clinical studies and, ultimately, to an FDA cleared product.We believe this technology will revolutionize the way back pain is treated." Discgenics is currently conducting further studies of safety and efficacy in multiple animal species to support future scientific publications and for use in gaining regulatory clearance.

About Discgenics, Inc.

Discgenics is a privately funded spinal therapeutics company that is utilizing adult human disc stem cells within a tissue engineering approach to treat patients debilitated by degenerative disc disease. News and other information on the company are available at: http://www.discgenics.com.

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Discgenics Successfully Completes Pilot Efficacy Study of Injectable Discosphereâ„¢ Cell Therapy

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Improvement in a week after Stem Cell Therapy He is a known case of Myotonic MD with history of gradual onset of progressive lower extremities muscle weakness since age of 25 years. He also has history of delayed milestones. His weakness is progressive in nature. He falls while walking so walks with human support only. He has complaints of early fatigue and slurred speech due to tongue hypertrophy. He has atrophy of proximal muscles of all extremities. He has modified independence in almost all ADL. Neurologically, hypotonic, hyporeflexic. On examination: lower limb distal muscles are 0/5 on MMT while proximal muscles are having 2++/5 on MMT. Upper extremities left side proximal muscles are 1++/5 while right side proximal muscles are 3 #713;/5, distal muscles are 3++/5 in upper extremities. Functionally, modified independence in all ADL. On FIM he scores 99. After Stem Cell Treatment 1. His face looks more fresh. 2. His neck used to fall back previously but now he can control his neck well in each movement. 3. Back muscle strength has improved. 4. Bridging is better now. He can lift his back more up now which he couldn #39;t do at all. 5. His stamina has improved. 6. His shoulder strength has improved. Shoulder shrugging is better now. Active shoulder flexion, range of motion is more now. 7. Side lying to sitting he can do without any support which was not possible before. 8. Drooling of saliva from mouth in night is completely stopped. 9. His legs used ...

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Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Cerebral Palsy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy Comparison
Cerebral Palsy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy Comparison video Stem Cell Therapy done at Dr Alok Sharma NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute Surana Sethia Hospital Sion-Trombay Rd, Suman Ngr Opp Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai -- 71. Tel : 022 - 25283706, 022 - 25281610, Mob : +91 9920 200 400 http://www.neurogen.in http://www.stemcellsmumbai.com

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Cerebral Palsy Before and After Stem Cell Therapy Comparison - Video

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Discgenics announces the successful completion of an animal study demonstrating safety and efficacy of its novel therapy for reducing back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. This product, known as Injectable Discosphere Cell Therapy (IDCT), features Discgenics' patented, allogeneic, human disc-derived stem cell technology. The study showed that after one injection of IDCT in degenerated discs there was a restoration of disc height and tissue architecture, while noting no inflammatory response.

Discgenics CEO Flagg Flanagan said, " We are very encouraged by the results of the small animal pilot study as it shows the initial safety and efficacy of IDCT, which is produced from adult human disc-derived stem cells.We are optimistic that these early results will be indicative of our therapy's performance in further animal studies and will accelerate us toward human clinical studies and, ultimately, to an FDA cleared product.We believe this technology will revolutionize the way back pain is treated." Discgenics is currently conducting further studies of safety and efficacy in multiple animal species to support future scientific publications and for use in gaining regulatory clearance.

About Discgenics, Inc.

Discgenics is a privately funded spinal therapeutics company that is utilizing adult human disc stem cells within a tissue engineering approach to treat patients debilitated by degenerative disc disease. News and other information on the company are available at: http://www.discgenics.com.

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Discgenics Successfully Completes Pilot Efficacy Study of Injectable Discosphere™ Cell Therapy

Group 62AM Alzheimer #39;s Stem Cell Therapy
Group 62AM #39;s video for Biology 1103 at UGA

By: Brooke Dillard

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Group 62AM Alzheimer's Stem Cell Therapy - Video

Now, thanks to participating veterinarians like Dr. Karen Derfuss, DVM, from Branchburg Animal Hospital, who will be conducting a new double stem cell therapy procedure on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and the procedure itself, developed by MediVet America, a new kind of treatment is available for dogs, Auggie and Chloe, and other beloved pets in the Branchburg area.

This new procedure marks a major milestone in regenerative veterinary medicine, said MediVet-America spokesman, Dr. Mike Hutchinson, D.V.M., a leading practitioner in stem cell therapy who has performed more than 400 adipose-derived stem cell treatments on dogs and cats. MediVets superior results made me a believer, and Im excited to share this news with my colleagues.

The procedure uses adult animal stem cell technology and the bodys own regenerative healing power. No embryonic stem cells are used. MediVets kit and equipment enable veterinarians to remove a sample of fat from the pet, separate stem cells from the fat, then activate and inject the cells into the affected area. The entire procedure is all done in-clinic and on the same day.

Within about one month, most animals can be removed from pain and anti-inflammatory drugs. Results show animals that had been unable to climb stairs or jump, now are walking, running and playing.

MediVet is a global leader in veterinary science, with over 1,000 clinics practicing this incredible technology in the US, Mexico, Canada and 28 other countries

About the two dogs:

Auggie is a nine year old loving beagle and a Fathers Day Gift for dad. He is suffering from hip dysplasia, which is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. Derfuss is the only doctor in the area who has been certified by MediVet America to perform this double procedure. The stem cell procedure is an affordable and non-invasive alternative to FHO (femoral head osteopathy) surgery, which was originally planned for Auggie.

Chloe is a beautiful 11 year old golden retriever who suffers from bilateral arthritic hips and long term inflammation issues. It was decided to use this new technology to treat Chloes ailments as an alternative to expensive and invasive hip replacement surgery.

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First ever double stem cell therapy procedure to be performed by Branchburg veterinarian

Testimonials - Stem Cell Therapy - Ehrlich Animal Hospital #39;s Arthritis Therapy Center
We love your pets and we know that you do too. Let us ensure that your pets live the longest, healthiest lives possible. Thank you for your continued confidence in our love and concern for your pet #39;s health and longevity.

By: EhrlichAnimalHospita

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Testimonials - Stem Cell Therapy - Ehrlich Animal Hospital's Arthritis Therapy Center - Video

Stem Cell Therapy Testimonial - Arthritis Treatment (Short Version)
Stem Cell Therapy Testimonial - Arthritis Treatment (Short Version) 1-888-545-4333

By: Bofitmiami

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Stem Cell Therapy Testimonial - Arthritis Treatment (Short Version) - Video

Admit it or not, as you age your skin starts showing signs that you would rather hide. Spots, wrinkles, and even crow's feet are just some of those signs that you would camouflage with makeup and skin creams to make them disappear-temporarily. But fear not, for beauty experts have discovered that stem cell treatment can also help in maintaining youthful skin.

According to Ma Fe Doria, a skin care expert, stem cell therapy is an intervention strategy that introduces new adult stem cells into damaged tissue in order to treat disease or injury. As many may be aware, the most popular stem cell treatment is in Germany, where lots of celebrities and personalities (i.e. politicians) have flown to have stem cell injections for their ailments, using cells mostly harvested from the sheep. According to those who have undergone the procedure, the treatments have improved their body and the pains they've experienced have disappeared.

Today, many medical researchers continue to do experiments to determine if stem cell can help in curing various types of ailments from cancer to diabetes, which doctors have said may not be far behind. Aside from its healing benefits, stem cell is now being used by the beauty industry. Many cosmetic and beauty centers have started offering stem cell injections for the face, which is said to regenerate the skin where the cells are injected. While some continue to use sheep cells, plant and fat stem cells are now becoming the popular alternatives, with the fat stem cells being used to heal wounds, improve scars, and rejuvenate the skin.

But stem cell treatment is not cheap. Those who can afford it need to fly out of the country to avail of the treatment. Realizing the need in the market, Flawless Facial Center partnered with a local industry leader to produce Flawless' Stem Cell line, which uses the potent power of plant stem cells. Dubbed as the "superfood for the skin," Flawless' Stem Cell line is the epitome of skin nutrition.

"This new range of products allowed us to mark several milestones not just for Flawless but for the local beauty industry. Once again, we have taken something that, for the longest time, has remained exclusive to celebrities and other influential people, and made it affordable for the regular Juan and Juana," says Flawless ceo Ruby Sy.

For P2,500, the line includes a cleanser, day cream, and night serum. Flawless' Stem Cell line utilizes the plant stem cell technology to achieve the skin's youthful appearance by protecting it against oxidative stress and boosting the skin's repair and rejuvenation systems. "Times have really changed. No thanks to free radicals that are present in almost everything around us-from the food we eat to the air we breathe-people today age so much faster. This is especially true for people who like to spend late nights partying or spend too much time in front of the [TV/computer] monitor. Various studies have proven time and again the harmful effects such activities have on our skin," Sy said.

But with Flawless' latest baby, you can say goodbye to those ugly marks on your face. The Stem Cell line promises to solve all these, and more, by providing your skin with the right amount of nutrition and protection. Indeed, youthful glow is not only safe and available in a bottle, it's also now within reach of your pocket.

Go to http://www.flawless.com.ph for

store locations

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Beauty Innovation: Young-looking skin with stem cell therapy

LONDON (ShareCast) - ReNeuron Group received the green light to complete the final stages of first phase safety testing of its ReN001 stem cell therapy for disabled stroke patients in Scotland, the company announced Tuesday.

The ReN001 stem cell therapy was being administered in ascending doses to a total of 12 stroke patients who have been left disabled by an ischaemic stroke, the most common form of the condition.

ReNeuron is now set to proceed with dosing the last three patients after getting clearance from the Data Safety Monitoring Board which reviewed the study.

The first of the three patients was treated with ReN001 and discharged from hospital. The remaining two are scheduled to be treated this March.

Last year, interim data from the first five patients treated in the study were presented by the Glasgow clinical team. Sustained reductions in neurological impairment and spasticity were observed in all patients compared with their stable pre-treatment baseline performance.

Further and longer term data from the study are expected to be presented in scientific conference later this year.

The company has submitted an application to the UK regulatory authority to commence a multi-site phase two clinical trial to examine the efficacy of ReN001 in patients disabled by an ischaemic stroke. Preparations are underway to begin the trial mid-year.

RD

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ReNeuron Group edges further in stem cell therapy research for stroke patients

Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke
He is a known case of CVA since July 2010, leading to left sided hemiplegia with speech involvement. On MRI Brain, it was seen to be right MCA infarct. He was managed conservatively and has been undergoing regular rehabilitation since then. Neurologically, he is hypertonic and hyperreflexic. On examination: he has left sided paraesthesia (abnormal sensation). He has near normal left lower extremities voluntary control, but poor voluntary control of left hand, but fair control over left (proximal) upper extremities mainly shoulder and elbow. He has near normal cognition and speech. He has affected fine motor control and gross balance while walking. He has hemiplegic gait. Functionally, he is independent in most ADL and mobility. After Stem Cell Therapy 1) Now grasp of left hand has improved. Can hold glass with minimal assistance and drink water. Earlier could not hold glass. 2) Now uses his left hand more in activities -- drinking water. Earlier it was not possible to drink water and use left hand but now he can. 3) Stiffness in left upper limb reduced. 4) Can now sleep on left side also. Earlier would pain a lot. 5) Now he doesn #39;t require help while putting his pant hooks/buttons (but only in certain pants, which are not tight). Stem Cell Therapy done at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute Surana Sethia Hospital Sion-Trombay Rd, Suman Ngr Opp Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai -- 71. Tel : 022 - 25283706, 022 - 25281610, Mob : +91 9920 200 400 http://www.neurogen.in www ...

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Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke - Video

Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy
She is a known case of CP with history of full term normal delivery, with birth weight approximately 2.4 kg. But gradually as she grew parents noticed she had delayed motor milestones, so she was tested and diagnosed to have CP. Cause for it was suspected to be maternal TORCH infection during pregnancy. She has been on regular rehabilitation and has also had Botox injections twice. Neurologically, she is hypertonic and hyperreflexic. On examination: she has poor voluntary control of bilateral lower extremities, but near normal upper extremities voluntary control. But her grip is slightly poor. She has slurred speech and near normal bowel bladder control. She has fair oromotor control. Functionally, she needs assistance in all ADL and mobility. She is able to walk with AFOs for short distances. On WeeFIM she scores 57. After Stem Cell Therapy OT assessment: 1) Now able to walk with walker. Shifts weights of pelvis. 2) Stamina has increased. Exercise tolerance has increased. 3) Trunk balance has improved. 4) Now stepping is better, now lifts leg while stepping. 5) Standing without holding for about 50 counts. 6) Fear of falling has reduced. 7) Tightness in LL has reduced. 8) Catching ball is better. 9) Back extensor has improved. 10) Can come on bed without support of wall to get a thrust. 11) FIM improved from 60 to 65 secondary to bathing, dressing. 12) Now uses a potty seat over commode, sits independently. Assessment by Speech Therapist: 1) Loudness has improved. 2 ...

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Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - Video

Moderate Mental Retardation with Behavioral Issues Improves with Stem Cell Therapy
Stem Cell Therapy done at NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute Surana Sethia Hospital Sion-Trombay Rd, Suman Ngr Opp Corporate Park, Chembur, Mumbai -- 71. Tel : 022 - 25283706, 022 - 25281610, Mob : +91 9920 200 400 http://www.neurogen.in http://www.stemcellsmumbai.com

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Moderate Mental Retardation with Behavioral Issues Improves with Stem Cell Therapy - Video

By JENNY F. MANONGDO

Manila, Philippines Doctors yesterday warned against fatal complications of the use of stem cell therapy.

According to the Philippine Society for Stem Cell Medicine (PSSCM), a stem cell transplant poses a host of complications, including fatal complications that depend on several factors such as the type of blood disorder, type of transplant and the age and health of the person receiving the transplant. If the stem cell that you received is not from your own body, it could lead to fatal complications, PSSCM said.

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) also warned that a patients body may reject the transplant stem cells from a donor.

Although some people experience few problems with a transplant, others may develop complications that may require treatment or hospitalization. Some complications could even be life-threatening, said Dr. Leo Olarte, PMA vice-president.

According to Olarte, the complications that can arise with a stem cell transplant include graftversus-host disease, stem cell (graft) failure, organ injury, infections, cataracts, infertility, new cancers, and even death.

According to Olarte, a person who will undergo a stem cell transplant from a donor (allogeneic stem cell transplant) may be at risk of graft-versus-host disease.

This condition occurs when a donors transplanted stem cells attack your body. Graft-versushost disease can be mild or severe. It can occur soon after your transplant or months to years later. Aside from the graft-versushost disease, stem cell transplant from a donor can likewise affect any organ, commonly the skin (rash, often like sunburn), gut (mouth sores, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting), liver (jaundice or yellowing of the skin), lungs (blocked airways) or eyes (irritation and light sensitivity).

Olarte said it could also lead to chronic disability arising from organ injury or infections that are potentially life-threatening.

Commercial establishments offering stem cell treatments have increased following its popularity in the treatment of various diseases.

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DOH: Stem cell therapy dangerous

When cosmetic surgeon Allan Wu first heard the woman's complaint, he wondered if she was imagining things or making it up. A resident of Los Angeles in her late sixties, she explained that she could not open her right eye without considerable pain and that every time she forced it open, she heard a strange clicka sharp sound, like a tiny castanet snapping shut. After examining her in person at The Morrow Institute in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Wu could see that something was wrong: Her eyelid drooped stubbornly, and the area around her eye was somewhat swollen. Six and a half hours of surgery later, he and his colleagues had dug out small chunks of bone from the woman's eyelid and tissue surrounding her eye, which was scratched but largely intact. The clicks she heard were the bone fragments grinding against one another.

About three months earlier the woman had opted for a relatively new kind of cosmetic procedure at a different clinic in Beverly Hillsa face-lift that made use of her own adult stem cells. First, cosmetic surgeons had removed some the woman's abdominal fat with liposuction and isolated the adult stem cells withina family of cells that can make many copies of themselves in an immature state and can develop into several different kinds of mature tissue. In this case the doctors extracted mesenchymal stem cellswhich can turn into bone, cartilage or fat, among other tissuesand injected those cells back into her face, especially around her eyes. The procedure cost her more than $20,000, Wu recollects. Such face-lifts supposedly rejuvenate the skin because stem cells turn into brand-new tissue and release chemicals that help heal aging cells and stimulate nearby cells to proliferate.

During the face-lift her clinicians had also injected some dermal filler, which plastic surgeons have safely used for more than 20 years to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The principal component of such fillers is calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral with which cell biologists encourage mesenchymal stem cells to turn into bonea fact that escaped the woman's clinicians. Wu thinks this unanticipated interaction explains her predicament. He successfully removed the pieces of bone from her eyelid in 2009 and says she is doing well today, but some living stem cells may linger in her face. These cells could turn into bone or other out-of-place tissues once again.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of clinics across the country offer a variety of similar, untested stem cell treatments for both cosmetic and medical purposes. Costing between $3,000 and $30,000, the treatments promise to alleviate everything from wrinkles to joint pain to autism. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any of these treatments and, with a limited budget, is struggling to keep track of all the unapproved therapies on the market. At the same time, pills, oils, creams and moisturizers that allegedly contain the right combination of ingredients to mobilize the body's resident stem cells, or contain chemicals extracted from the stem cells in plants and animals, are popping up in pharmacies and online. There's Stem Cell 100, for example, MEGA STEM and Apple Stem Cell Cloud Cream. Few of these cosmetics have been properly tested in published experiments, yet the companies that manufacture them say they may heal damaged organs, slow or reverse natural aging, restore youthful energy and revitalize the skin. Whether such cosmetics may also produce unintended and potentially harmful effects remains largely unexamined. The increasing number of untested and unauthorized stem cell treatments threaten both people who buy them and researchers hoping to conduct clinical trials for promising stem cell medicine.

When is a skin cream a drug? So far, the FDA has only approved one stem cell treatment: a transplant of bone marrow stem cells for people with the blood cancer leukemia. Among the increasing number of unapproved stem cell treatments, some clearly violate the FDA's regulations whereas others may technically be legal without its approval. In July 2012, for example, the U.S. District Court upheld an injunction brought by the FDA against Colorado-based Regenerative Sciences to regulate just one of the company's several stem cell treatments for various joint injuries as an "unapproved biological drug product." The decision hinged on what constitutes "minimal manipulation" of cells in the lab before they are injected into patients. In the treatment that the FDA won the right to regulate, stem cells are grown and modified in the lab for several weeks before they are returned to patients; in Regenerative Sciences's other treatments, patients' stem cells are extracted and injected within a day or two. Regenerative Sciences now offers the legally problematic treatment at a Cayman Island facility.

Many stem cell cosmetics reside in a legal gray area. Unlike drugs and "biologics" made from living cells and tissues, cosmetics do not require premarket approval from the FDA. But stem cell cosmetics often satisfy the FDA's definitions for both cosmetics and drugs. In September 2012 the FDA posted a letter on its Web site warning Lancme, a division of L'Oral, that the way it describes its Genifique skin care products qualify the creams and serums as unapproved drugs: they are supposed to "boost the activity of genes," for example, and "improve the condition of stem cells." Other times the difference between needing or not needing FDA approval comes down to linguistic nuancethe difference between claiming that a product does something or appears to do something.

Personal Cell Sciences, in Eatontown, N.J., sells some of the more sophisticated stem cellbased cosmetics: an eye cream, moisturizer and serum infused with chemicals derived from a consumer's own stem cells. According to its website and marketing materials, these products help "make skin more supple and radiant," "reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and lips," "improve cellular renewal" and "stimulate cell turnover for renewed texture and tone." In exchange for $3,000, Personal Cell Sciences will arrange for a participating physician to vacuum about 60 cubic centimeters (one quarter cup) of a customer's fat from beneath his or her skin and ship it on ice to American CryoStem Corp. in Red Bank, N.J., where laboratory technicians isolate and grow the customer's mesenchymal stem cells to around 30 million strong. Half these cells are frozen for storage; from the other half, technicians harvest hundreds of different kinds of exuded growth factors and cytokinesmolecules that help heal damaged cells and encourage cells to divide, among other functions. These molecules are mixed with many other ingredientsincluding green tea extract, caffeine and vitaminsto create the company's various "U Autologous" skin care products, which are then sold back to the consumer for between $400 and $800. When the customer wants a refill, technicians thaw some of the frozen cells, collect more cytokines and produce new bottles of cream.

In an unpublished safety trial sponsored by Personal Cell Sciences, Frederic Stern of the Stern Center for Aesthetic Surgery in Bellevue, Wash., and his colleagues monitored 19 patients for eight weeks as they used the U Autologous products on the left sides of their faces. A computer program meant to objectively analyze photos of the volunteers' faces measured an average of 25.6 percent reduction in the volume of wrinkles on the treated side of the face. Analysis of tissue biopsies revealed increased levels of the protein elastin, which helps keep skin taut, and no signs of unusual or cancerous cell growth.

Only skin deep? Supposedly, the primary active ingredients in the U Autologous skin care products are the hundreds of different kinds of cytokines they contain. Cytokines are a large and diverse family of proteins that cells release to communicate with and influence one another. Cytokines can stimulate cell division or halt it; they can suppress the immune system or provoke it; they can also change a cell's shape, modulate its metabolism and force it to migrate from one location to another like a cowboy corralling cattle. Researchers have only named and characterized some of the many cytokines that stem cells secrete. Some of these molecules certainly help repair damaged cells and promote cell survival. Others seem to be involved in the development of tumors. In fact, some recent evidence suggests that the cytokines released by mesenchymal stem cells can trigger tumors by accelerating the growth of dormant cancer cells. Personal Cell Sciences does not pick and choose among the cytokines exuded by its customers' stem cellsinstead, it dumps them all into its skin care products.

Based on the available evidence so far, topical creams containing cytokines from stem cells pose far less risk of cancer than living stem cells injected beneath the skin. But scientists do not yet know enough about stem cell cytokines to reliably predict everything they will do when rubbed into the skin; they could interact with healthy skin cells in a completely unexpected way, just as the unintended interplay between calcium hydroxylapatite and stem cells produced bones in the Los Angeles woman's eye. Stern acknowledges that unusual tissue growth is a concern for any treatment based on stem cells and the chemicals they release. "Down the line, we want to continue watching that," he says. Unlike many other clinics, he and his colleagues have been keeping tabs on their patients through regular follow-ups. John Arnone, CEO of American CryoStem and founder of Personal Cell Sciences, says the fact that U Autologous skin care products contain such a diversity of cytokines does not bother him: "I've seen worse things out there. I've been putting this formulation for almost a year on myself prior to the study. I'm the best guinea pig here."

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In the Flesh: The Embedded Dangers of Untested Stem Cell Cosmetics

Randall avoids knee replacement surgery after adult stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson
Randall describes his experience with adult stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson on his arthritic knee and ankleFrom:Harry AdelsonViews:0 0ratingsTime:01:08More inScience Technology

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Randall avoids knee replacement surgery after adult stem cell therapy by Dr Harry Adelson - Video

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Institute Of Stem-cell Therapy And Research (GIOSTAR) announced today a collaborative treatment plan to serve the local population suffering from a genetic disease, Sickle Cell Anemia. President and CEO, Mr. Deven Patel and his team met with Honorable Chief Minister Shri Arjun Munda of State of Jharkhand, India in November 2012 to address the local population's medical needs.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16184.

As a follow-up, a government delegation representing the state of Jharkhand, India; Chief Minister, Principal Health Secretary, Chief Secretary and many other officials are visiting GIOSTAR in San Diego on December 14, 2012 to finalize the proposed two (2) billion U.S. dollar contract to be serviced over the next 15 years.

Bob Filner, Mayor of San Diego and City Council Members are among the invited guests for this state visit along with representatives from Belize and the island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Two hundred (200) jobs are estimated to be created in San Diego and it is expected that the dialog would include an economic development program between City of San Diego and State of Jharkhand, India.

GIOSTAR is a Global Private Funding (Global) incubated company. "Global is a private equity firm that focuses on funding projects and initiatives that are job-creation centric rather than just profit centric. We believe that a venture that draws the best minds and hearts to a unified goal, driven by a unified vision tends to be far stronger and less prone to failure than one driven by just profit. We invest in people, not the business," said Dr. Sam Senev, Chairman and CEO of Global. Senev added that GIOSTAR is a showcase client focused on both serving mankind through quality of life and job creation.

GIOSTAR, headquartered in San Diego, California (USA), was formed with the vision to provide stem cell based therapy to aid those suffering from degenerative or genetic diseases around the world. We are the leaders in developing innovative stem cell based technology.

The Chairman and Cofounder of GIOSTAR, Dr. Anand Srivastava and our team of scientists and clinicians have been associated with leading universities and research institutions throughout USA. GIOSTAR team has extensive research and clinical experience in the field of Stem cell, which is documented by several publications in revered scientific journals.

GIOSTAR in July 2011, inaugurated the world's first dedicated stem cell treatment hospital, a 125-bed, contemporary facility with the most advanced on-site stem cell laboratory. This hospital is fully operational. GIOSTAR is developing the world's largest, a three hundred thousand square-foot (300,000SF) state-of-the-art, Stem Cell Treatment Hospital in the Surat Civil Hospital Campus in collaboration with the government of Gujarat. Negotiations are ongoing with China, Philippines, Bahamas, Belize, Thailand, Ukraine and the Middle East to open regional stem cell treatment hospitals and satellite clinics throughout those countries and regions. "We are expanding the GIOSTAR footprint and is in negotiations to open locations near Austin Texas, Phoenix Arizona, and Savannah South Carolina" said Michael Andersen, Vice President of Venture Management at Global. Global and Empyrean West, EB-5 administrators, plan to invest over one hundred and eighty million ($180M) in economic development investments for GIOSTAR projects.

The Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research company logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16183.

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Photo Release -- GIOSTAR and the Government of India to Enter $2 Billion Stem Cell Therapy Program - Official State ...