The old rats appeared newly invigorated after receiving their injections. As hoped, the cardiac stem cells improved heart function yet also provided additional benefits. The rats' fur fur, shaved for surgery, grew back more quickly than expected, and their chromosomal telomeres, which commonly shrink with age, lengthened.

The old rats receiving the cardiac stem cells also had increased stamina overall, exercising more than before the infusion.

"It's extremely exciting," said Dr. Eduardo Marbn, primary investigator on the research and director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute. Witnessing "the systemic rejuvenating effects," he said, "it's kind of like an unexpected fountain of youth."

"We've been studying new forms of cell therapy for the heart for some 12 years now," Marbn said.

Some of this research has focused on cardiosphere-derived cells.

"They're progenitor cells from the heart itself," Marbn said. Progenitor cells are generated from stem cells and share some, but not all, of the same properties. For instance, they can differentiate into more than one kind of cell like stem cells, but unlike stem cells, progenitor cells cannot divide and reproduce indefinitely.

Since heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is similar to aging, Marbn decided to experiment on old rats, ones that suffered from a type of heart problem "that's very typical of what we find in older human beings: The heart's stiff, and it doesn't relax right, and it causes fluid to back up some," Marbn explained.

He and his team injected cardiosphere-derived cells from newborn rats into the hearts of 22-month-old rats -- that's elderly for a rat. Similar old rats received a placebo injection of saline solution. Then, Marbn and his team compared both groups to young rats that were 4 months old. After a month, they compared the rats again.

Even though the cells were injected into the heart, their effects were noticeable throughout the body, Marbn said

"The animals could exercise further than they could before by about 20%, and one of the most striking things, especially for me (because I'm kind of losing my hair) the animals ... regrew their fur a lot better after they'd gotten cells" compared with the placebo rats, Marbn said.

The rats that received cardiosphere-derived cells also experienced improved heart function and showed longer heart cell telomeres.

Why did it work?

The working hypothesis is that the cells secrete exosomes, tiny vesicles that "contain a lot of nucleic acids, things like RNA, that can change patterns of the way the tissue responds to injury and the way genes are expressed in the tissue," Marbn said.

It is the exosomes that act on the heart and make it better as well as mediating long-distance effects on exercise capacity and hair regrowth, he explained.

Looking to the future, Marbn said he's begun to explore delivering the cardiac stem cells intravenously in a simple infusion -- instead of injecting them directly into the heart, which would be a complex procedure for a human patient -- and seeing whether the same beneficial effects occur.

Dr. Gary Gerstenblith, a professor of medicine in the cardiology division of Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the new study is "very comprehensive."

"Striking benefits are demonstrated not only from a cardiac perspective but across multiple organ systems," said Gerstenblith, who did not contribute to the new research. "The results suggest that stem cell therapies should be studied as an additional therapeutic option in the treatment of cardiac and other diseases common in the elderly."

Todd Herron, director of the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center's Cardiovascular Regeneration Core Laboratory, said Marbn, with his previous work with cardiac stem cells, has "led the field in this area."

"The novelty of this bit of work is, they started to look at more precise molecular mechanisms to explain the phenomenon they've seen in the past," said Herron, who played no role in the new research.

One strength of the approach here is that the researchers have taken cells "from the organ that they want to rejuvenate, so that makes it likely that the cells stay there in that tissue," Herron said.

He believes that more extensive study, beginning with larger animals and including long-term followup, is needed before this technique could be used in humans.

"We need to make sure there's no harm being done," Herron said, adding that extending the lifetime and improving quality of life amounts to "a tradeoff between the potential risk and the potential good that can be done."

Capicor hasn't announced any plans to do studies in aging, but the possibility exists.

After all, the cells have been proven "completely safe" in "over 100 human patients," so it would be possible to fast-track them into the clinic, Marbn explained: "I can't tell you that there are any plans to do that, but it could easily be done from a safety viewpoint."

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Researchers have created a method to kill cancerous tissue without causing the harmful side effects of chemotherapy.

Medical researchers at the University of California, Irvine have created a stem cell-based method to zero in on cancerous tissue. This method kills the cancerous tissue without causing the nasty side effects of chemotherapy. Such side effects are avoided by treating the disease in a more localized manner. The advancement was spearheaded by associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences Weian Zhao. The details of the stem cell therapy were recently published in Science Translational Medicine.

About the new Stem Cell Therapy

Zhao's team programmed stem cells derived from human bone marrow to pinpoint the specific properties of cancerous tissue. They implemented a portion of code to these engineered cells to identify stiff cancerous tissue, lock onto it and implement therapeutics. The researchers safely used this new stem cell therapy in mice to kill metastatic breast cancer that had moved to the lungs. They transplanted these engineered stem cells in order for the teamto pinpoint and settle in the site of the tumor.

Once the stem cells reached the tumor, they released enzymes referred to as cytosine deaminase. The mice were then provided with an inactive chemotherapy known as prodrug 5-flurocytosine. The tumor enzymes stimulated the chemotherapy into action. Zhao stated his team zeroed in on metastatic cancer that occurs when the disease moves to additional parts of the body. Metastatic tumors are especially dangerous. They are responsible for90 percent of all cancer deaths.

Why the new Stem Cell Therapy is Important

Zhao is adamant his stem cell therapy represents an important newparadigm in the context of cancer therapy. Indeed, Zhao has blazed a trail in a new direction that others will likely follow in the years to come. It is possible his new stem cell therapy serves as an alternative and more effective means of treating cancer. This stem cell therapy will serve as an alternative to numerous forms of chemotherapy that typically have nasty side effects. Chemotherapy certainly kills plenty of growing cancer cells yet it can also harm healthy cells. The new type of treatment keys in on metastatic tissue that allows for the avoidance of the undesirable side effects produced by chemotherapy.

Though the published piece describing this stem cell therapy is centered on breast cancer metastases within thelungs, the method will soon be applicable to additional metastases. This is due to the fact that numerous solid tumors are stiffer than regular tissue. The new system does not force scientists to invest time and effort to pinpoint and create a brand new protein or genetic marker for each kind of cancer.

The Next Step

At this point in time, Zhao's team has performed pre-clinical animal studies to show the treatment is effective and safe. They plan to segue to human studies in the coming months and years. Zhao's team is currently expanding to additional types of cells such as cancer tissue-sensing and engineered immune system CAR-T (T cells) to treat metastasizing colon and breast cancers. Their goal is totransform this technology for the treatment of additional diseases ranging from diabetes to fibrosis and beyond.

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FREMONT, Calif., Aug. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT:AST) today announced that Lucas Lindner of Eden, Wisconsin, a quadriplegic patient who has regained functional use of his fingers, hands and lower arms after receiving the companys investigational stem cell therapy for complete cervical spinal cord injury, AST-OPC1, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch of a Major League Baseball game in Milwaukee on Sunday, August 13th.

Lucas has been an inspiration to our employees at Asterias who have worked so hard to bring AST-OPC1 to where it is now being administered to patients in a clinical trial, as well as to thousands of others who have seen his story on the internet or on television, said Mike Mulroy, President and CEO of Asterias. We are excited about the progress he has made since receiving 10 million cells of AST-OPC1 and look forward to cheering him on as he takes the field before the game.

Lucas suffered a severe spinal cord injury when his car swerved off the road into a tree to avoid hitting a deer in May 2016. He was flown to the hospital and received immediate surgery to stabilize his spine. He was left without the ability to move his limbs below the neck and upper arms.

In June 2016, Lucas received 10 million cells of AST-OPC1 in Asterias ongoing SCiStar Phase 1/2a clinical study by Shekar N. Kurpad, MD, PhD, Sanford J. Larson Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurosurgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Director of the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Spinal Cord Injury Program. Lucas has since regained the ability to move triceps, hands and fingers.

As of his latest follow-up visit (12 months following administration of AST-OPC1), Lucas has achieved two motor levels of improvement on one side of his body. As suggested by existing research, patients with severe spinal cord injuries that show two motor levels of improvement on at least one side may regain the ability to perform daily activities such as feeding, dressing and bathing, which significantly reduces the overall level of daily assistance needed for the patient and associated healthcare costs.

Throwing out the first pitch at a Major League game is not something I could have imagined a year ago, said Lucas. I want to show everyone that there is hope that spinal cord injury patients can regain function. I am looking forward to going back to school, pursuing my dream of working in the IT field and living independently someday.

When I first met Lucas about a year ago, he had some use of his arms and little to no use of his hands or fingers, said Dr. Kurpad. The fact that he is throwing out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game is amazing. It illustrates the strides medical science is starting to make in helping paralyzed patients regain useful function. Im very encouraged by the early results we are seeing with AST-OPC1 and am grateful for the improvement Lucas has made.

Asterias has now completed enrollment and dosing in four of the five planned SCiStar study cohorts and enrolled twenty-two patients in the SCiStar study. Twenty-seven patients have been administered AST-OPC1 after including patients from a previous Phase 1 safety trial and results-to-date continue to support the safety of AST-OPC1. In June 2017, Asterias reported 9 month data from the AIS-A 10 million cell cohort that showed improvements in arm, hand and finger function observed at 3-months and 6-months following administration of AST-OPC1 were confirmed and in some patients further increased at 9-months. The company intends to complete enrollment of the entire SCiStar study later this year, with multiple safety and efficacy readouts anticipated during the remainder of 2017 and 2018.

To view a video on Lucas story, click on the following link:https://youtu.be/1DerDpM_FO4.

Broadcast quality b-roll footage is available for news media use by request by contactingmark@reachthenextlevel.com.

About the SCiStar Trial

The SCiStar trial is an open-label, single-arm trial testing three sequential escalating doses of AST-OPC1 administered at up to 20 million AST-OPC1 cells in as many as 35 patients with subacute, C-4 to C-7, motor complete (AIS-A or AIS-B) cervical SCI. These individuals have essentially lost all movement below their injury site and experience severe paralysis of the upper and lower limbs. AIS-A patients have lost all motor and sensory function below their injury site, while AIS-B patients have lost all motor function but may have retained some minimal sensory function below their injury site. AST-OPC1 is being administered 21 to 42 days post-injury. Patients will be followed by neurological exams and imaging procedures to assess the safety and activity of the product.

The study is being conducted at eight centers in the U.S. and the company plans to increase this to up to 12 sites to accommodate the expanded patient enrollment. Clinical sites involved in the study include the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Shepherd Medical Center in Atlanta, University of Southern California (USC) jointly with Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, Indiana University, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose jointly with Stanford University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, in partnership with Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, in Philadelphia, and UC San Diego Health in San Diego.

Asterias has received a Strategic Partnerships Award grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which provides $14.3 million of non-dilutive funding for the Phase 1/2a clinical trial and other product development activities for AST-OPC1.

Additional information on the Phase 1/2a trial, including trial sites, can be found at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, using Identifier NCT02302157, and at the SCiStar Study Website (www.SCiStar-study.com).

About AST-OPC1

AST-OPC1, an oligodendrocyte progenitor population derived from human embryonic stem cells originally isolated in 1998, has been shown in animals and in vitro to have three potentially reparative functions that address the complex pathologies observed at the injury site of a spinal cord injury. These activities of AST-OPC1 include production of neurotrophic factors, stimulation of vascularization, and induction of remyelination of denuded axons, all of which are critical for survival, regrowth and conduction of nerve impulses through axons at the injury site. In preclinical animal testing, AST-OPC1 administration led to remyelination of axons, improved hindlimb and forelimb locomotor function, dramatic reductions in injury-related cavitation and significant preservation of myelinated axons traversing the injury site.

In a previous Phase 1 clinical trial, five patients with neurologically complete, thoracic spinal cord injury were administered two million AST-OPC1 cells at the spinal cord injury site 7-14 days post-injury. Based on the results of this study, Asterias received clearance from FDA to progress testing of AST-OPC1 to patients with cervical spine injuries in the current SCiStar study, which represents the first targeted population for registration trials. Asterias has completed enrollment in the first four cohorts of this study. Results to date have continued to support the safety of AST-OPC1. Additionally, Asterias has recently reported results suggesting reduced cavitation and improved motor function in patients administered AST-OPC1 in the SCiStar trial.

About Asterias Biotherapeutics

Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company pioneering the field of regenerative medicine. The companys proprietary cell therapy programs are based on its pluripotent stem cell and immunotherapy platform technologies. Asterias is presently focused on advancing three clinical-stage programs which have the potential to address areas of very high unmet medical need in the fields of neurology and oncology. AST-OPC1 (oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) is currently in a Phase 1/2a dose escalation clinical trial in spinal cord injury. AST-VAC1 (antigen-presenting autologous dendritic cells) is undergoing continuing development by Asterias based on promising efficacy and safety data from a Phase 2 study in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), with current efforts focused on streamlining and modernizing the manufacturing process. AST-VAC2 (antigen-presenting allogeneic dendritic cells) represents a second generation, allogeneic cancer immunotherapy. The companys research partner, Cancer Research UK, plans to begin a Phase 1/2a clinical trial of AST-VAC2 in non-small cell lung cancer in 2017. Additional information about Asterias can be found atwww.asteriasbiotherapeutics.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements pertaining to future financial and/or operating and/or clinical research results, future growth in research, technology, clinical development, and potential opportunities for Asterias, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as will, believes, plans, anticipates, expects, estimates) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the businesses of Asterias, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in Asterias filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Asterias disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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Former Quadriplegic Enrolled in Asterias' SCiStar Study to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch at Major League Baseball Game - OrthoSpineNews

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Former Quadriplegic Enrolled in Asterias’ SCiStar Study to Throw Ceremonial First Pitch at Major League Baseball Game – OrthoSpineNews | August 11th, 2017

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VistaGen Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: VTGN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing new generation medicines for depression and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders, announced today that the Company has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for U.S. Patent Application No. 14/359,517 regarding proprietary methods for producing hematopoietic precursor stem cells, which are stem cells that give rise to all of the blood cells and most of the bone marrow cells in the body, with potential to impact both direct and supportive therapy for autoimmune disorders and cancer.

The breakthrough technology covered by the allowed U.S. patent was discovered and developed by distinguished stem cell researcher, Dr. Gordon Keller, Director of the UHN's McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Toronto, one of the world's leading centers for stem cell and regenerative medicine research and part of the University Health Network (UHN), Canada's largest research hospital. Dr. Keller is a co-founder of VistaGen and a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. VistaGen holds an exclusive worldwide license from UHN to the stem cell technology covered by the allowed U.S. patent.

"We are pleased to report that the USPTO has allowed another important U.S. patent relating to our stem cell technology platform, stated Shawn Singh, Chief Executive Officer of VistaGen. "Because the technology under this allowed patent involves the stem cells from which all blood cells are derived, it has the potential to reach the lives of millions battling a broad range of life-threatening medical conditions, including cancer, with CAR-T cell applications and foundational technology we believe ultimately will provide approaches for producing bone marrow stem cells for bone marrow transfusions. As we continue to expand the patent portfolio of VistaStem Therapeutics, our stem cell technology-focused subsidiary, we enhance our potential opportunities for additional regenerative medicine transactions similar to our December 2016 sublicense of cardiac stem cell technology to BlueRock Therapeutics, while focusing VistaStem's internal efforts on using stem cell technology for cost-efficient small molecule drug rescue to expand our drug development pipeline."

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For patients with severe and end-stage heart failure there are few treatment options left apart from transplants and stem-cell therapy. But a new Israeli study finds that stem-cell therapy may harm heart-disease patients.

The research, led by Prof. Jonathan Leor of Tel Aviv Universitys Sackler Faculty of Medicineand Sheba Medical Center and conducted by TAUs Dr. Nili Naftali-Shani, explores the current practice of using cells from the host patient to repair tissue and contends that this can prove toxic for patients.

We found that, contrary to popular belief, tissue stem cells derived from sick hearts do not contribute to heart healing after injury, said Leor. Furthermore, we found that these cells are affected by the inflammatory environment and develop inflammatory properties. The affected stem cells may even exacerbate damage to the already diseased heart muscle.

Tissue or adult stem cells blank cells that can act as a repair kit for the body by replacing damaged tissue encourage the regeneration of blood vessel cells and new heart muscle tissue. Faced with a worse survival rate than many cancers, many heart-failure patients have turned to stem-cell therapy as a last resort.

But our findings suggest that stem cells, like any drug, can have adverse effects, said Leor. We concluded that stem cells used in cardiac therapy should be drawn from healthy donors or be better genetically engineered for the patient.

The researchers, who published their study in the journal Circulation, also discovered the molecular pathway involved in the negative interaction between stem cells and the immune system as they isolated stem cells in mouse models of heart disease. Afterward, they focused on cardiac stem cells in patients with heart disease.

The results could help improve the use of autologous stem cells those drawn from the patients themselves in cardiac therapy, Leor said.

We showed that the deletion of the gene responsible for this pathway can restore the original therapeutic function of the cells, said Leor. Our findings determine the potential negative effects of inflammation on stem-cell function as theyre currently used. The use of autologous stem cells from patients with heart disease should be modified. Only stem cells from healthy donors or genetically engineered cells should be used in treating cardiac conditions.

The researchers are currently testing a gene editing technique (CRISPER) to inhibit the gene responsible for the negative inflammatory properties of the cardiac stem cells of heart disease patients. We hope our engineered stem cells will be resistant to the negative effects of the immune system, said Leor.

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Brave Ava Stark has gone back to nursery for the first time since undergoing a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

The four-year-old was all smiles when she arrived at Noahs Ark Nursery in Lochgelly, Fife, yesterday morning.

She said she was looking forward to laughing at the nursery teacher and happily ran around the toy-filled garden before starting at 8am.

But her return was cut short after another child was ill and she had to go home due to her lowered immune system.

Mum Marie said that the half an hour she spent at the nursery was a great start and theyre now looking forward to her returning for longer.

The 34-year-old said: Its absolutely amazing that shes managed to get back to nursery for the first time. We honestly didnt think this day would ever happen.

My mum has been teaching her at home and I think shes going to miss her wee side-kick. It really is a big day.

She may only have been able to stay for half hour but thats a great start and were aiming for more next week. She was too excited to sleep last night.

If it wasnt for all those amazing people who heard about Ava and registered to become donors, then we may never have got here.

We just cant thank everyone who supported us enough.

Nursery manager Karen Robertson added: Its absolutely fantastic, we couldnt have wished for a better outcome.

We always said that when she took ill that we couldnt wait until she was well enough to come back and Im just delighted to see her.

Ava underwent her stem cell transplant in December after a Daily Record appeal which saw more than 83,000 people across the UK sign up to try help her.

She was first diagnosed with inherited bone marrow failure in April 2016 and relied on blood and platelet transfusions to keep her alive.

A matching donor was initially found but pulled out weeks before the procedure went ahead prompting her brave mum to launch the worldwide appeal for help.

A second match was then found but they pulled out just 24 hours before the youngster was due to go to hospital leaving her entire family devastated.

The campaign continued and two more matching donors were eventually found meaning she could undergo the operation in December.

She has recently celebrated her 100 day post-transplant milestone and will become the face of a donor recruitment drive by the Anthony Nolan charity.

She was also named one of the Daily Records Little Heroes at an award ceremony in May.

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Dr. Gabe Mirkin

Sam Shepard was a prolific playwright, actor, screenwriter and director who:

acted in more than sixty films and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of pilot Chuck Yeager inThe Right Stuff;

wrote more than 55 plays, often focusing on the serious problems that occur in American family life;

won the most Obie Awards (10) for his off-Broadway writing and directing. In 1979 he received a Pulitzer Prize for his play, Buried Child, andNew York Magazinecalled him the greatest American playwright of his generation.

In his late sixties, he developed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the disease that killed baseball great Lou Gehrig at age 37. Shepard died from complications of ALS on July 27, 2017, at age 73.

A Difficult Life

Sam Shepard

He was born on November 5, 1943, in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His dysfunctional family served as a basis for characters in many of his plays. His father was a United States Army Air Forces bomber pilot during World War II who was also an alcoholic and an abusive husband and father. His loving, supportive mother, a teacher, offset some of the pain and abuse he suffered from his father. In his early years, the family had to move every two years because of army transfers. Later his father left the service and bought an avocado farm in Duarte, Calif. Shepard briefly studied animal husbandry at nearby Mt. San Antonio College, but soon left school to move to New York City, where he worked as a busboy, played in a psychedelic folk band and tried to break into the theater.

At age 35, his acting career took off when he won a role in Terrence MalicksDays of Heaven, with Richard Gere and Brooke Adams. At the same time, he continued to write successful plays and in 1986 (age 43) he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrigs Disease)

In his last few years, Shepard suffered privately from ALS, but he described his experience in his last book, The One Inside. One of the characters said that he couldnt get up from bed in the morning and felt as though his limbs werent connected to the motor driving his body. They wont take direction wont be dictated to the arms, legs, feet, hands. Nothing moves. Nothing even wants to. The brain isnt sending signals.

ALS is a progressive disease that destroys the nerves that move voluntary muscles. More than 6,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year. Nobody knows the cause and there is no cure. The brain is supposed to send messages to nerves in the spinal cord which transmit messages to the nerves that move muscles. When a muscle loses its nerve control, it starts to twitch and can waste away to nothing. Early symptoms of ALS include

muscle weakness

twitching

slurred speech

inability to chew food

tripping or stumbling.

The first sign could be difficulty buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. The disease usually does not affect a persons ability to think and reason, so affected people are terribly disturbed by their lack of ability to control their voluntary muscles. As the disease progresses, a person loses the ability to speak, eat, walk, and eventually breathe. The most common cause of death is inability to breathe, which typically occurs about 3-5 years after symptoms start. Only about ten percent of affected people live more than ten years after first being diagnosed.

Risk Factors and Diagnosis

The disease usually starts between the ages of 55 and 75, but there are no known specific risk factors. Military veterans appear to be twice as likely as non-veterans to develop ALS. Possible causes could be exposure to occupational or environmental toxins such as lead or pesticides, infections or trauma. Family history does not appear to predict the disease.

There are no specific tests to diagnose ALS. It is usually diagnosed by a history of the symptoms, physical examination and ruling out other causes.

Current Treatments and Research

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved riluzole (Rilutek) and edaravone (Radicava) to treat ALS. These drugs offer no hope for a cure, but Riluzole appears to protect nerves by decreasing glutamate, the chemical messenger for nerves that innervate muscles. Intravenous edaravone possibly slows loss of muscle function, but it costs $1,086 per infusion or a yearly cost before government discount of $145,524. Another drug under European review is being developed by French drug maker AB Science SA (ABS.PA). Since there is no cure, all patients should receive physical therapy and speech therapy because inactivity itself causes loss of muscle function.

Since ALS is caused by the death of nerve cells that cause muscles to contract, the most promising line of research is through stem cells. Stem cells are young cells that can become any type of tissue. Treatment in the future may be to program stem cells to become nerve cells that innervate muscles and then inject them into areas where the nerve cells have already died.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin is a Villager. Learn more at http://www.drmirkin.com

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Very few people have ever heard ofthe concept of artificial skin transplants.That will change in the near future, though. Artificial skin transplants may be the one thing we need most to treat type 2 diabetes. The skin grafts based on CRISPR gene editing couldyield some very powerful results. Their first tests involving mice werepositive, butensuring the technology works for humans in the same way will besomething else entirely.

Alot of people may not like the sound of artificial skin transplants. It sounds a lot scarier than it really is, however. There is actually nothing to fear about them. In fact, we have been using artificial skin implants for several decades now.Burn patients often recover thanks to these implants, for example. Artificial skin implants have proven to be an invaluable tool in the world of healthcare so far, and it seems thenumber of use cases may be expanded upon. However,they havenever been deployed to treat diabetesup untilnow.

Scientists have now successfully used these implants to treat diabetes in mice. That is a major development in medicine. The researchers edited stem cells from newborn mice to control the release of ahormone stimulating insulin production. Once the cells were turned into skin grafts, they were given to mice suffering from diabetes.

The mice were not born with diabetes. Instead, researchers fed them high-fat diets to causeobesity. Acruel method, perhaps, thoughit is not uncommon to see this sort of thingin the medical sector. Obesity is still one of the main risk factors causing type 2 diabetes in humans. People with a high insulin resistance are particularly prone to developing thecondition. Diabeteswas induced in these mice usingsome modifications to create viable test criteria.

Once the mice received the artificial skin implants, their insulin resistance levels started to reverse. Additionally, they gained around half the weight as those not given the grafts. Thissuggests that people cantreat diabetes usingthese implants, although theywill not do much for anyone suffering from type 1 diabetes. Thosewho do suffer from that condition may soon have access to a cheap and efficient solution created from stem cells. The goal is to turn these stem cells into human skin over time.

There may be other clinical applicationsinvolving artificial skin implants we have yet to discover. Ever since doctors started treating burn patients with this technique, the quest to find other use cases has been in full effect. Thanks torecent breakthroughsin this field, one can now grow artificial skin in a lab. However, given the lack of human test subjects, finding other use cases has been pretty difficult. This is where the mice come into the picture, even though the results involving human subjects mightdiffer greatly.

This is not a cure for diabetes, but it is an approach to help people maintain their glucose levels. For now, it only works withtype 2 diabetes causedby obesity, but it is still an important breakthrough regardless. The bigger question is what other types of diseases may be treated through artificial skin implants.

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Scientists Use Artificial Skin Implants to Treat Type 2 Diabetes The ... - The Merkle

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The secret to healing what ails you lies within your own DNA.(photo credit:DREAMSTIME)

Scientists have, for the first time, corrected a disease-causing mutation in early-stage human embryos using gene editing.

The technique, which uses the CRISPR- Cas9 system, corrected the mutation for a heart condition at the earliest stage of embryonic development so that the defect would not be passed on to future generations.

It could pave the way for improved in vitro fertilization outcomes as well as eventual cures for some thousands of diseases caused by mutations in single genes.

The breakthrough and accomplishment by American and Korean scientists, was recently explained in the journal Nature. Its a collaboration between the Salk Institute, Oregon Health and Science University and South Koreas Institute for Basic Science.

Thanks to advances in stem cell technologies and gene editing, we are finally starting to address disease-causing mutations that impact potentially millions of people, said Prof. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte of Salks gene expression lab and a corresponding author of the paper. Gene editing is still in its infancy, so even though this preliminary effort was found to be safe and effective, it is crucial that we continue to proceed with the utmost caution, paying the highest attention to ethical considerations.

Though gene-editing tools have the power to potentially cure a number of diseases, scientists have proceeded cautiously partly to avoid introducing unintended mutations into the germ line (cells that become eggs or sperm).

Izpisua Belmonte is uniquely qualified to speak on the ethics of genome editing because, as a member of the Committee on Human Gene Editing at the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, he helped author the 2016 roadmap Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics and Governance.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of sudden death in otherwise healthy young athletes, and affects approximately one in 500 people. It is caused by a dominant mutation in the MYBPC3 gene, but often goes undetected until it is too late. Since people with a mutant copy of the MYBPC3 gene have a 50% chance of passing it on to their own children, being able to correct the mutation in embryos would prevent the disease not only in affected children but also in their descendants.

The researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells from a skin biopsy donated by a male with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and developed a gene-editing strategy based on CRISPR-Cas9 that would specifically target the mutated copy of the MYBPC3 gene for repair. The targeted mutated MYBPC3 gene was cut by the Cas9 enzyme, allowing the donors cells own DNA -repair mechanisms to fix the mutation during the next round of cell division by using either a synthetic DNA sequence or the non-mutated copy of MYBPC3 gene as a template.

Using IVF techniques, the researchers injected the best-performing gene-editing components into healthy donor eggs that are newly fertilized with donors sperm. All the cells in the early embryos are then analyzed at single-cell resolution to see how effectively the mutation was repaired.

They were surprised by the safety and efficiency of the method. Not only were a high percentage of embryonic cells get fixed, but also gene correction didnt induce any detectable off-target mutations and genome instability major concerns for gene editing.

The researchers also developed an effective strategy to ensure the repair occurred consistently in all the cells of the embryo, as incomplete repairs can lead to some cells continuing to carry the mutation.

Even though the success rate in patient cells cultured in a dish was low, we saw that the gene correction seems to be very robust in embryos of which one copy of the MYBPC3 gene is mutated, said Jun Wu, a Salk staff scientist and one of the authors.

This was in part because, after CRISPR- Cas9 mediated enzymatic cutting of the mutated gene copy, the embryo initiated its own repairs. Instead of using the provided synthetic DNA template, the team surprisingly found that the embryo preferentially used the available healthy copy of the gene to repair the mutated part.

Our technology successfully repairs the disease-causing gene mutation by taking advantage of a DNA repair response unique to early embryos, said Wu.

The authors emphasized that although promising, these are very preliminary results and more research will need to be done to ensure no unintended effects occur.

Our results demonstrate the great potential of embryonic gene editing, but we must continue to realistically assess the risks as well as the benefits, they added.

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Early gene-editing holds promise for preventing inherited diseases - The Jerusalem Post

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Early gene-editing holds promise for preventing inherited diseases – The Jerusalem Post | August 6th, 2017

By Jacqueline Howard CNN

(CNN) -- Scientists are getting one step closer to snipping inherited genetic diseases out of human offspring using a gene-editing technique called CRISPR.

For the first time, scientists said, they corrected a gene mutation linked to inherited heart conditions in human embryos using the approach. A study demonstrating the technique was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday (PDF).

Last week, the MIT Technology Review released the first news of this scientific feat, describing the research as the first-known attempt at creating genetically modified human embryos in the United States.

However, Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a co-author of the study, described it as the first in the world to demonstrate gene-editing to be safe, accurate and efficient in correcting a pathogenic gene mutation in human embryos. Previous attempts by Chinese researchers were unsuccessful at achieving this without safety concerns.

"This is the first that has been demonstrated as safe and working," said Belmonte, a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies' gene expression laboratory in La Jolla, California.

"All cells of the embryo were corrected," he said. "It seems to be working from these samples that we have chosen, but we need to do much more basic research with many other genes."

The study was a collaboration between the Salk Institute, the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and Korea's Institute for Basic Science.

Scientists estimate that more than 10,000 human diseases may result from mutations to a single gene occurring in all cells of the body, according to the World Health Organization.

Cutting and correcting gene mutations

The study used 75 human zygotes in which the father carried a mutation on the MYBPC3 gene, Belmonte said. The eggs used to produce the zygotes did not carry that gene mutation. The researchers noted that they received informed consent from the donors of the eggs, sperm and embryos used in the study.

The goal was to correct a type of inherited heart condition. A mutation called MYBPC3 is associated with inherited heart conditions, including left ventricular noncompaction, familial dilated cardiomyopathy and familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which affects an estimated one in 500 people worldwide.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy also is thought to be the most common inherited or genetic heart disease in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a lab dish, the researchers used CRISPR, a gene-editing technique, to remove the harmful MYBPC3 mutation from the human zygotes. Then, the zygotes' own DNA-repair mechanism replaced what was cut out with a copy of a MYBPC3 gene from the mother, which did not carry a mutation, Belmonte said.

"A male research subject known to be heterozygous for this gene mutation was recruited for the study, as were several healthy young egg donors," Dr. Paula Amato, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Oregon Health & Science University, said Tuesday. She was a co-author of the study.

"CRISPR was introduced at the time of sperm injection," she said. "Then, DNA repair of the embryos was assessed."

The researchers found that about 72% of zygotes were properly and safely corrected on the MYBPC3 gene, Belmonte said.

This method significantly differed from studies in which scientists used the CRISPR tool to manually replace what was cut out with whatever the scientists desired.

Researchers in China were the first to reveal attempts to modify genes in human embryos using CRISPR. Three separate studies were published in scientific journals describing Chinese experiments on gene editing in human embryos.

"The previous human studies done in China had very small numbers, and one of them used abnormal embryos," Amato said. "So we think this is the first, largest study from which you could draw some reasonable conclusions."

Some gene-editing attempts in human embryos have been problematic, resulting in an issue called mosaicism, in which the corrections made in one gene failed to replicate once that cell divided into two cells, those two cells divided into four cells and so on.

"So when the baby is born, all the cells do not have the mutation anymore. ... This study, it shows that we can correct the embryo and then, after the division, all the cells are corrected, so there's not what we call mosaicism," said Belmonte, who is also a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine's committee on human gene editing.

This year, the academies published a report on human genome editing that addressed potential applications of the technology, including the possible prevention or treatment of inherited diseases or conditions.

The future of gene editing

Though the researchers have expressed enthusiasm around their new study, they also noted that the findings must be replicated in followup research before this gene-editing approach can move forward to clinical trials.

"The fact that it is, apparently, a new and poorly understood mechanism and it is not the now standard CRISPR 'cut and replace' method adds to the time needed for research into its safety and effectiveness," said Hank Greely, professor of law and genetics at Stanford University, who was not involved in the new study.

Yet future research can come with some political challenges, Amato said.

"First of all, there are regulations regarding use of federal funds for embryo research, so the (US National Institutes of Health) does not currently support embryo research, so that's one barrier. The other barrier is, the (US Food and Drug Administration) is prohibited from considering any clinical trials related to germline genetic modification," she said.

In this new study the embryos were only allowed to mature to day three after fertilization before they were disaggregated, or isolated into various components, for further analysis.

In the far-off future, a clinical trial could include transplanting corrected embryos into a uterus with the goal of establishing pregnancy and then monitoring the embryos as they develop into children.

Still, "it is way too early to contemplate implanting the edited embryos for the purpose of actually establishing a pregnancy," said Dana Carroll, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah who was not involved in the new study but has used CRISPR in his own research.

"The genome editing tools are currently not sufficiently efficient and specific to be reliable, and regulatory and oversight processes have not been established," Carroll said, adding that the work on the new study was "well-done" and "well-presented."

"The authors have made an important discovery regarding the repair of CRISPR-induced DNA breaks in human eggs just at the time of fertilization," he said.

"This information will help to guide ongoing research, and it demonstrates that research on early-stage human embryos will be necessary to establish safe and effective procedures in the long run," he said. "There is still a lot of work to do to understand repair processes in very early embryos and to optimize the use of the CRISPR reagents, but this study makes a valuable contribution."

Some CRISPR critics have argued that gene editing may give way to eugenics and to allowing embryos to be edited with certain features in order to develop so-called designer babies.

However, the researchers wrote in their study that they hope CRISPR could be considered as an alternative option to preimplantation genetic diagnosis, also known as PGD, for couples at risk of passing on an inherited disease.

'This opens up the possibility for those embryos'

PGD, developed about a quarter-century ago, is a genetic testing procedure typically conducted after in vitro fertilization to diagnose a genetic disease or condition in an embryo before it is implanted.

Since the human genome contains two copies of each gene -- paternal and maternal alleles, or variant forms of genes -- a mutation affecting only one allele is called heterozygous.

When only one parent carries a heterozygous mutation on a gene, about half of the embryos from that parent should be mutation-free while the others would have the mutation. Selectively, the parents' doctor would chose the healthy embryos to be implanted and discard the embryos with the mutations, Belmonte said.

Sometimes, "a couple that wants to have a baby and they have a mutation, they may not have enough embryos to choose from," he said. This is when CRISPR can come in.

"This technology, independent of the embryos that are there, it would go on and correct all of them. ... This opens up the possibility for those embryos," he said. "That's important because after the first implantation, if it doesn't work, you can do it again."

The researchers wrote in their study, "PGD may be a viable option for heterozygous couples at risk of producing affected offspring. In cases when only one parent carries a heterozygous mutation, 50% of embryos should be mutant. In contrast, targeted gene correction can potentially rescue a substantial portion of mutant human embryos, thus increasing the number of embryos available for transfer."

Nonetheless, using CRISPR in that way remains a long way off.

Shoukhrat Mitalipov, director of the Oregon Health & Science University's Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy, helped lead the new study. In 2013, Mitalipov and his colleagues reported the first success in cloning human stem cells, reprogramming human skin cells back to their embryonic state. In 2007, a research team led by Mitalipov announced that they created the first cloned monkey embryo and extracted stem cells from it.

Now, when it comes to using CRISPR to correct gene mutations in embryos, Mitalipov said Tuesday, "We've done some ground work. ... There is still a long road ahead, and it's unclear at this point when we will be allowed to move on."

TM & 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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Scientists edit disease-causing gene mutation in human embryos - WENY-TV

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Scientists edit disease-causing gene mutation in human embryos – WENY-TV | August 2nd, 2017

Advances in medical imaging enable bespoke tissues and organs to be developed for transplant or engraftment with remarkable resolution and definition using 3D bioprinting. The incorporation of stem cell therapies into these 3D tissue constructs is incredibly promising for the delivery of pioneering stem cell regenerative therapies. Typically, 3D bioprinting requires use of a biomaterial to aid with deposition, which can cause negative host responses. To avoid such problems, US researchers have developed a biomaterial-free cardiac patch (Scientific Reports 7 4566).

Heart disease affects thousands of people every year and effective repair of cardiac tissue would reduce a large medical health care burden. Researchers from the Narutoshi Hibino lab at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University have devised a 3D-bioprinting procedure that allows for the biofabrication of cardiac tissue patches to deliver regenerative stem cells, without using biomaterials. The process utilises aggregated balls of cardiac cells (cardiospheroids), which are directly printed into a cardiac patch construct. The cardiospheroids are identified, picked up by a vacuum and bioprinted directly onto a needle microarray (a video of the 3D-bioprinting process used is available from JOVE). This novel method allows the patch to be constructed with cells alone and will avoid detrimental effects induced by biomaterial grafts.

Stem cell techniques for tissue regeneration typically rely on biomaterial scaffolds to provide structure and support for cells during grafting. The grafting or introduction of biomaterials to a patient induces an immune response, or can create scar tissue from the graft, potentially damaging the region of tissue intended to be repaired. Through developing a biomaterial-free graft, it is possible to avoid these detrimental factors. And by using a patient's own stem cells it is possible to create native tissue that is fully biocompatible.

3D bioprinting was crucial to the development of effective cardiac patches, with specific spatial distribution being crucial to mechanical integrity. Cardiospheres without specific placement to overlap with other cardiospheres disintegrated after removal from the needle array; although partially disintegrated regions were able to fuse back together eventually. This effect removed the structural definition of the patch, negating the advantages of using bioprinting for developing a cardiac patch of specified dimensions.

The researchers grafted patches onto rat hearts and after a week saw signs of blood vessel formation, with viable cells and red blood cells present in the cardiac patch. Tissue protein stains showed that collagen was present in the patch, indicating the deposition of a native extracellular matrix from the cells, crucial to cell integration. Further staining showed the presence of human nucleic acid in rat tissue, implying that the human cell derived patch had successfully grafted with the rat tissue.

This biomaterial-free cardiac patch was developed using pluripotent cardiomyocyte stem cells, cardiac fibroblasts and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which were aggregated into cardiospheroids for bioprinting. Cardiospheroids were able to develop a functional phenotype after 48 hours, with spontaneous beating and electrical conductivity a week after bioprinting. Cardiomyocytes alone were not able to reproduce this functional phenotype.

This process demonstrates a novel approach to eliminating biomaterial-induced damage. Further development of this 3D bioprinting technique in conjunction with stem cell therapies could progress biomaterial-free cardiac patches into the popular domain.

3D printers help build a better cranial nerve4D bioprinting: adding dynamic actuationThe first laser-printed 3D cellular tubes3D-printed polymer stents evolve

Geoffrey Potjewyd is a PhD Student contributor to medicalphysicsweb, working in the Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, as part of the CDT in Regenerative Medicine at The University of Manchester. He is studying the neurovascular unit in relation to vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, using biofabrication, biomaterials and stem cell based techniques.

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3D bioprinted cardiac patches are biomaterial free - Medical Physics Web (subscription)

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on 3D bioprinted cardiac patches are biomaterial free – Medical Physics Web (subscription) | July 31st, 2017

NEW YORK, July 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global stem cell market is expected to reach USD 15.63billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 9.2%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.

Augmentation in research studies that aim at broadening the utility scope of associated products is anticipated to drive the market growth. These research projects have opened the possibility of implementation of several clinical applications of these cells, thereby impacting disease-modifying treatments.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04998556/Stem-Cells-Market-Analysis-By-Product-Adult-Stem-Cells-hESC-Induced-Pluripotent-Stem-Cells-By-Application-Regenerative-Medicine-Drug-Discovery-By-Technology-By-Therapy-And-Segment-Forecasts.html

Scientists are engaged in discovering novel methods to create human stem cells. This is to address the increasing demand for stem cell production for potential investigation in disease management. This factor is certainly expected to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine, thus driving industrial growth.

Moreover, cellular therapies are recognized as the next major advancements in transforming healthcare. Firms are expanding their cellular therapy portfolio, understanding the future potential of this arena in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and others.

In March 2016, Scientists at Michigan State University unveiled new kind of cells "induced XEN cells" from a cellular trash pile. This discovery is expected to drive advancements in regenerative medicine. Such discoveries are anticipated to bolster research and sales in this market over the forecast period.

Further key findings from the report suggest: Adult stem cells dominated the market and is expected to maintain its dominance. This can be attributed to the several factors such as lower rejection rates, long term renewal property, and no ethical concerns associated with their usage Application wise regenerative medicine is estimated to hold the substantial share of the revenue Presence of significant number pipeline projects for regenerative medicine is expected to fuel growth in the market In addition, exploding research projects have driven the need of harvesting techniques, thereby propelling progress of acquisition technology Increased R&D activities and huge funds granted by funding bodies to advance cellular research in the U.S. have resulted into the large share of North America Extensive research carried out in Singapore and Japan is anticipated to drive progress with lucrative avenues Advanced Cell Technology Inc, Osiris Therapeutics Inc, Celgene Corporation, BIOTIME, INC., Cynata, and STEMCELL Technologies Inc., are some of the major companies operating in this market A number of companies are engaged in seeking investment from overseas organizations and also developing partnerships with the pharmaceutical organizations

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04998556/Stem-Cells-Market-Analysis-By-Product-Adult-Stem-Cells-hESC-Induced-Pluripotent-Stem-Cells-By-Application-Regenerative-Medicine-Drug-Discovery-By-Technology-By-Therapy-And-Segment-Forecasts.html

About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Stem Cells Market Analysis By Product (Adult Stem Cells, hESC ... - PR Newswire (press release)

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Stem Cells Market Analysis By Product (Adult Stem Cells, hESC … – PR Newswire (press release) | July 13th, 2017

SINGAPORE The use of stem cell treatment to repair liver cirrhosis, or hardening of the liver, will be tested in a clinical trial here involving 46 patients and costing S$2.6 million.

The four-year study, which was launched yesterday, came amid a growing waiting list in Singapore for a liver transplant, which is currently the only cure for patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis.

Conducted by a multi-centre team from several restructured hospitals here, the study is led by the National University Hospital (NUH).

Liver failure is one of the top 20 causes of death in Singapore, but many patients are not suitable for a transplant due to factors such as age and surgical fitness.

Out of every five patients doctors see with end-stage liver disease, only one qualifies for a liver transplant, said Dr Dan Yock Young, principal investigator of the clinical trial and senior consultant at NUHs division of gastroenterology and hepatology.

(A liver transplant) is curative, but it is a complex procedure, and many patients are not suitable for it. For these patients, treatment is limited, but morbidity and mortality rates are high as high as 50 per cent in one year and this is probably worse than many (of the) other terminal illnesses we talk about today, he said.

Animal studies conducted over the last five years have shown that stem cells can reconstruct the micro-environment of a normal liver.

Like how branches are of critical importance in supporting the leaves and fruits of a tree, the endothelial (stem) cells contribute to supporting a nutritious environment for the hepatocyte (liver) cells, Dr Dan explained.

While similar stem-cell studies have been conducted in other centres in Asia, there has been no definitive evidence of the benefits of the treatment for liver patients.

The study will recruit 46 patients aged between 40 and 70 years old, and who are at the terminal stages of chronic liver disease, over three years. It is funded by the National Medical Research Council.

During the clinical trial, patients will be divided into a therapeutic group and a control group.

All patients will receive an injection to stimulate their bone marrow cells as part of the supportive treatment for their liver cirrhosis. However, only patients in the study group will have the stem cells from the bone marrow extracted and deposited directly into their liver for more targeted repair.

Using ones own stem cells will avoid the problem of cell rejection.

The liver tissue will be examined three months later, and an investigation to compare pre- and post-transplant results will be conducted after a year.

Since invasive surgery is not required for stem-cell therapy, the fatality risk is significantly lowered for the patient. However, other risks such as severe bleeding and infections still remain, given the patients weakened condition.

NUH also noted that the stem-cell therapy does not replace liver transplants, and the latter remains the best available treatment for liver cirrhosis.

It is very painful to turn patients away when we cannot offer them a liver transplant, said Dr Dan, adding that this stem cell therapy will serve as an alternative option.

We hope that this is a stepping stone to trials for stem cell candidates, he added.

MORE WAITING FOR A LIVER

The number of people on the waiting list for a liver transplant has been growing in recent years. In June last year, it was reported that there were 54 people on the list, more than double the 24 patients in 2011.

Chronic Hepatitis B remains the primary cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which refers to a range of liver conditions affecting people who drink little to no alcohol. However, obesity has become a contributing factor to the illness as well.

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New NUH study to test stem cells as treatment for liver disease - TODAYonline

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on New NUH study to test stem cells as treatment for liver disease – TODAYonline | July 12th, 2017

A few small scars on Ashli Stempels lower back are the only evidence that a drill burrowed into her hipbone last year at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. The surgery was to harvest the stem cells in her bone marrow to save her older brother Andrew Stempels life.

At age 27, Andrew was diagnosed with cancer of the white blood cells called Hodgkins lymphoma. Donating her bone marrow so that Andrews body could manufacture healthy blood cells, was a small price to pay to give him a shot at survival, Ashli says.

Since the transplant last August after years of treatment and testing Andrew has been cancer-free and Ashli now volunteers periodically in their hometown of Greenfield to spread awareness about this life-saving treatment.

Our bodies are a cure for some cancers, says Ashli Stempel on a recent Saturday as she handsout sign-up forms atGreenfields Energy Park for the Be A Matchnational donor registry. If even one person joins the registry that is awesome.

Its a sunnyday and Stempel, 30,wearing a black and white spaghetti-strap dress stands behind a booth smiling and talking to passersby.

Everybody wants to cure cancer, but I think not everybody understands that we, ourselves, can be the cure for some types of cancers, she says. I can say that I killed cancer and I am pretty excited about that.

In the hollow spaces in a bodys bones, stem cells inside the bone marrow tissue work to create red blood cells, which feed oxygen to the organs, and make white blood cells to fight infections. The bone marrow also produces blood platelets to help form clots but when a cancer of the blood like, leukemia or lymphoma strikes, these life-supporting systems are thrown out of whack, leaving the bodys immune system unable to fight diseases, infection or the cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiation also can kill off bone marrow tissue, leaving patients with more damage to their immune systems, says physician assistant Susanne Smith, donor services clinician at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Womens Hospitals Cancer Center in Boston.

When transplanted into a cancer patients bloodstream, stem cells, a precursor to all the immune system cells in the body, colonize the bones and help fight any remaining cancer, says Smith.

In many cases (a transplant) is the only cure for a leukemia or lymphoma diagnosis chemotherapy can only get a patient so far, says Mary Halet, director of community engagement at the Be The Match Registry, the Minneapolis organization that manages the largest bone marrow registry in the world. But first, a patient must find a tissue match, that is, a donor who has a similar protein marker called the human leukocyte antigen, which is found on most cells in the body.

There are up to 14,000 patients every year who could benefit from a bone marrow transplant, but many of these people will not receive a donation, says Halet. In most cases, the patient will not finda tissue match in his or her own family andmust seek help from a stranger, she says. A patients likelihood of finding a matching bone marrow donor ranges from 66 percent to 97 percentdepending on ethnic background. White patients have a 97 percent chance of finding a match, while black patients only find a match 66 percent of the time.The difference reflects the complexity of the tissues makeup and the number of donors.

Thats why Halets organization promotes recruitment events like the one Ashli Stempel held in Greenfield.

Stempel says she was ecstatic when she found out that she was a match for her brother. She was in her late 20s at the time, a bubbly woman working in communications at Smith College in Northampton, who grew up in a close-knit family.

Her brother, who was working as a retail manager in the Boston area, had discovered a bump on his collarbone.

I woke up one morning and there was a non-painful lump, Andrew Stempel says.

He ignored it for as long as he could before seeing a doctor who diagnosed it as a swollen lymph node caused by Hodgkins lymphoma.

Cancer is a very scary word. I think what you learn going through it is that it is not such a scary word, you can survive, says Ashli Stempel.

The Stempel family had seen that firsthand years earlier when Andrew and Ashlis mother, Deborah, recovered from breast cancer.

Still, that didnt lessen the anxiety for Andrew. As soon as the doctor said the word cancer, he says, his life started to unravel with a battery of experimental drugs, chemotherapy and radiation.

In the begining there was a lot of uncertainty, he says.

Even through his cancer went into remission after a year, doctors did not expect it to remain that way without high doses of chemo or radiation. The plan was to do a bone marrow transplant for long-term survival.

Still, using donated bone marrow meant taking the risk that Andrews body would reject it, which could be fatal.

So, doctors first wanted to try using Andrews own tissue. That would require removing some of his bone marrow, treating it and then injecting it back into his bloodstream.

Within months of the procedure, however, Andrews cancer returned, indicating to doctors that his body wasnt strong enough to fight it on its own.

Ashli was tested via a mouth swab and Andrew was relieved to learn that she was a tissue match.

I was just overwhelmed with happiness, he says.

Ashli went through a month-long screening process to ensure that she was healthy enough to be a donor. People who have infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis cannot be donors, nor can those with immune systems weakened by autoimmune diseases. Doctors also prefer to use bone marrow from young donors under the age of 44, says Halet. The registry wont accept donors over 60.

When we are young, our immune systems are at their healthiest and the older we get the less robust they are, she says.

It took two years from the time Ashli first learned she was a match for her brother for the transplant to take place.

Not long aftershe woke up from the surgery, Ashli saw the bone marrow that had been taken from her, a two-literjug ofmilky, red liquid. It was whisked away to another partof the hospital where it ended up in a drip bag connected to a vein in Andrews arm.

Doctors saw hisred and white blood cell counts go up immediately after the transplant.

My sisters cells were working, he says. It was amazing.

Even though the transplant was a success, Andrew had to stay in the hospital for a month. Chemotherapy had caused sores in his mouth, he lost his ability to taste food along withhis appetiteand he droppednearly 30 pounds.

It was tough, day to day, but progressively got better, he says.

Since he was essentially receiving a new immune system, like a newborn baby he also had to be shielded from germs, says Ashli.

When his wife, Meghan Stempel, came to visit him, she needed to wear a facemask and gloves. Even when he returned home, he had to be careful. Hetook a year off from his job to recover, spending many afternoons resting on the couch watching TV. After spending months working to building hisstrength back up,he says, most of his weakness has subsided.

I feel a thousand times better, he says.

He is now cancer free and is returning to hisjob as a retail managerat Sherwin Williams this week.

Following her operation, Ashli took off a few weeks from her job in communications at Smith College, but was back on her feet within a couple days. Her hips were sore which meant limping around the house for a short time.

I was in pain, of course, she says. But its a quick recovery.

A few weeks ago Ashli decided to signup for the national bone marrow donor registry through Be A Matchto donate for a second time.

Her name will stay in the system for the foreseeable future. A match could come up or it might never.

Maybe I will be called on to do it again, who knows?

To learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor or to sign up for the registry, go tobethematch.org.

Potential donors can fill out an online form and the registry will mail a mouth swab kit, which can be returned by mail.

If called, a potential donor will undergo a series of blood tests which will evaluate the suitabililty and safety of the match. Though doctors say risks are low for donors, possible complications include infection and bleeding.

Once a donor is cleared, the transplant procedure could occur within a few weeks or a few months, depending on a recommendation from the patients doctor.

The bone marrow transplant is an outpatient procedure for the donor.Recovery time is only a few days anddonors are typically back to their normal routine in two to seven days.

Donors are told their commitment means being willing to devote up to 30 hours spread over four to six weeks to attend appointments and give the donation.

All medical costs for the donation procedure are covered by the National Marrow Donor Program, which operates the Be The Match Registry, or by the cancer patients medical insurance.

Sometime travel is required. Most travel expenses are covered by Be The Match.

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Ashli Stempel helped save her brother's life. She hopes to inspire others. - GazetteNET

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Ashli Stempel helped save her brother’s life. She hopes to inspire others. – GazetteNET | July 11th, 2017

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BioTech Holdings announced today clinical safety data on 3 patients suffering from critical limb ischemia treated with the Company's Procell microbiome-optimized personalized stem cell product.

In the investigator initiated pilot study, patients with diabetes associated circulation deficit in the legs (critical limb ischemia), who failed previous treatments were administered their own bone marrow derived stem cells that were treated with the Company's proprietary microbiome-derived compounds.

No treatment associated adverse reactions were observed and patients were followed-up for 3 months. Furthermore, 2 of the 3 patients had documented improvement in leg circulation and healing of previously unhealing ulcers.

"It is well known that the microbiome controls many aspects of human health and disease ranging from obesity, to autoimmunity, to even neurological function," said Thomas E Ichim, Ph.D, President and CEO of Biotech Holdings. "We are fortunate to have filed intellectual property on application of probiotics and microbiome manipulation to stem cells more than a year ago1. The current study supports our forward movement of our ProCell product to formal clinical trials."

The Company's product, Procell, comprises of bone marrow stem cells from the same patient, that are treated with factors generated by the microbiome of healthy patients. The key ingredient that the company has identified as secreted by the microbiome which augments stem cell activity is already approved by the FDA for other indications. Accordingly, the company believes it is eligible for accelerated FDA registration pathways, including the 505b2 pathway.

The Company intends to develop the indication of critical limb ischemia as its first condition. Patients with this conditions have a major amputation rate as high as 40% at 6 months and a mortality rate of 20% to 25% in the first year after presentation. Critical limb ischemia represents a market of approximately 10 billion dollar per year2.

Contacts

Thomas E Ichim, Ph.D President and Chief Executive Officer BioTech Holdings 9255 Towne Centre Drive, #450 San Diego, CA 92121 167146@email4pr.com 858 353 4303 Twitter: @biotechholdings

1http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biotech-holdings-announces-positive-preclinical-results-on-procell-probiotic-cell-therapy-for-critical-limb-ischemia-300278136.html

2http://www.pluristem.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Pluristem-January-2017.pdf

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biotech-holdings-announces-first-clinical-use-of-microbiome-optimized-autologous-stem-cells-300484814.html

SOURCE Biotech Holdings

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BioTech Holdings Announces First Clinical Use of Microbiome Optimized Autologous Stem Cells - PR Newswire (press release)

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on BioTech Holdings Announces First Clinical Use of Microbiome Optimized Autologous Stem Cells – PR Newswire (press release) | July 8th, 2017

Jul 7, 2017 - (Newswire)

Remember the story of the golden apples that could grant immortality to the person who ate them? It seemed too good to be true; plants couldn't make you live forever. However, it seems that they can make youage less quickly, and Adore Cosmetics has discovered how to harness their power for more youthful skin.

Plant stem cells are becoming increasingly popular in cosmetic and skin care brands for their apparent anti-aging properties. But what is the hype really about? Are all of the companies claiming this new technology will benefit a persons skin or is this an elaborate scam? Spoiler alert: its not a scam!

Plant stem cell culture technology is a very complicated process that ensures the growth of plant cells in sterile environments. The lab-cultivated culture allows for substances present in plants to be grown where it would otherwise be very difficult to obtain naturally. It results in ingredients that are free from environmental pollutants, available all the time, and with an identical amount of nutrients in every batch.

To test the viability of plant stem cells as an anti-aging product, a Swiss Company called Mibelle Chemistry tested the anti-aging capabilities of a variety of Swiss Apples. The study took place over a 4-week period and measured the depth of crow's feet periodically (every 2 weeks). The moisturizing cream -- which contained the plant stem cells -- was applied twice daily. The results of the study saw a 15% total decrease in depth of the wrinkles after 4 weeks.

Adore Cosmetics, one of the leaders in regards to skincare technologies, is a brand whose entire line of products is formulated with plant stem cells from rare organic Swiss Apples to encourage the renewal of your skins own stem cells.

Adore Cosmeticsproducts protect the skins current stem cells, prevents damage than can occur due to UV stress and environmental factors, and promotes the vitality of skin stem cells. As a result, the skin of people who use Adore Cosmetics isrestored, renewed, and replenished as our organic ingredients encourage it to slow down -- and, according to this study, potentially reverse -- the aging process!

To try out our products, find discounts at http://adorecosmeticsoffers.com/

And to read our beauty blog, Adore Cosmetics Insights, head to https://adorecosmeticsinsights.com/

Follow Adore Cosmetics on Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

About Adore Cosmetics:Adore Cosmeticsoffers innovations in organic skin care productspowered by plant stem cellsand other beauty-boosting ingredients. Adoreskincareproducts are designed to promote beauty, help reverse the signs of aging, and restore a youthful glow to the skinnaturallyby harnessing the power of nature.

Contact: ArielleFried Adore Cosmetics 305-627-9370 Arielle@AdoreCosmetics.com

Original Source: https://www.newswire.com/news/adore-cosmetics-is-using-apples-to-take-us-one-step-closer-to-19638166

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Adore Cosmetics is Using Apples to Take Us One Step Closer to Agelessness - WireUpdate

Skin Stem Cells Comments Off on Adore Cosmetics is Using Apples to Take Us One Step Closer to Agelessness – WireUpdate | July 7th, 2017

Sergey with his wife and son

ABMDR salutes young officer and celebrates its 30th life saved through a transplant

LOS ANGELESThe Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) announced that it has facilitated its 30th bone marrow stem cell transplant, thanks to stem cells harvested from a young ABMDR matched donor. The stem cells of the donor, Sergey, who is a 23 year-old army officer serving on the frontline in Artsakh, were utilized to save the life of a cancer patient in Iran.

On July 3, 2017, Sergey became the 30th ABMDR donor to experience the joy of saving the life of someone he had never met, said ABMDR President Dr. Frieda Jordan.

Dr. Sevak Avagyan, Sergey, Dr. Andranik Mshetsyan

In 2012, Sergey had joined the ranks of ABMDRs donor registry during a recruitment drive at the Vazken Sagsyan Military Institute, in Yerevan. Five years later, he was found to be a perfect match for a patient in Iran who was suffering from leukemia and whose only hope for survival was to receive a bone marrow stem cell transplant from a compatible donor. Sergey turned out to be a perfect match for the patient. He was given a day off to leave the frontline to come to ABMDRs Stem Cell Harvesting Center in Yerevan to donate his stem cells and save a patients life.

Accompanied by his young wife and six-month old son, Sergey was greeted by ABMDR staff at the Stem Cell Harvesting Center. The painless, non-invasive harvesting procedure, performed by Dr. Andranik Mshetsyan, lasted approximately four hours. Also present at the procedure were ABMDR Executive Director Dr. Sevak Avagyan and Medical Director Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan.

Sergey, Dr. Mihran Nazaretyan, and Lab Staff Member

At the conclusion of the harvesting, as staff members performed quality-control analyses of the harvested cells and packed them for the special courier who was waiting to transport the precious gift of life to the patient in Iran, Sergey, a hero in the eyes of all, on the frontlines as well as far away from them, joined his young family while someone in Iran was about to get a second chance at life.

Established in 1999, ABMDR, a nonprofit organization, helps Armenians and non-Armenians worldwide survive life-threatening blood-related illnesses by recruiting and matching donors to those requiring bone marrow stem cell transplants. To date, the registry has recruited over 29,000 donors in 42 countries across four continents, identified over 4,190 patients, and facilitated 30 bone marrow transplants. For more information, call (323) 663-3609 or visit abmdr.am.

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Artsakh Soldier Saves Life Of Cancer Patient In Iran - Asbarez Armenian News

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Artsakh Soldier Saves Life Of Cancer Patient In Iran – Asbarez Armenian News | July 6th, 2017

Emerald baseball coach Stanley Moss called current College of Charleston infielder Bradley Dixon one of the better players and kids he's ever coached.

The former Emerald standout was a slick-fielding shortstop, according to Moss, who was a cornerstone to the Emerald program.

"He was one of my favorites of all time," Moss said. "He always did what he was asked to do and went above and beyond to try to represent our program."

Dixon shared the field with current Clemson commit Sheldon Reed, who was a year under him at Emerald. Having the two of them play together was a joy and pleasure to be a part of, Moss said.

"(Dixon) and Sheldon hit in the middle of our lineup the whole time," Moss said. "They were big producers for us offensively."

Dixon's dominant play at Emerald earned him an opportunity to play Division I baseball with the Cougars. Dixon's senior season at Emerald, College of Charleston made it to a Super Regional which was just the second appearance in the program's history.

"It's what you grow up dreaming to do, playing Division I baseball," Dixon said. "Whenever you get an opportunity to do it, you take it and make the best of it."

But dreams have sometimes been met with struggles for Dixon. His freshman year in 2015 a week before opening weekend he sprained his MCL, ACL and suffered a bone contusion, forcing him to redshirt.

The following season, though, Dixon's redshirt freshman campaign, everyone got a glimpse of what he could do on the ball field when he's healthy.

Dixon started 45 games and was fourth on the team in batting average hitting .273 with a homer. They weren't the most eye-popping stats, but they proved what he was worth when on the field.

His 2017 season, however, was met with more injuries. Dixon recently had to get stem cells taken from the bone marrow in his hip and injected into the sesamoid bones in both his feet.

All the cartilage had worn down, which meant Dixon didn't have any protection around his bones. He played through the injury the entire season, hitting just .251.

Moss believes he'll be a force again once healthy.

"Bradley's work ethic has always been where you would like to be," he said. "He's that kid in the offseason. Obviously if he can get himself completely healthy he's the kind of kid that can definitely go out and have a big year for College of Charleston."

The recovery time for his injury is 12 weeks, Dixon said, which means he'll be ready for the fall.

The team put together an underwhelming year last season, going just 13-11 in the Colonial Athletic Association, 28-31 overall and losing to Northeastern in the conference tournament.

On top of that, College of Charleston's coach, Matt Heath, was fired on Friday.

Despite the setbacks, Dixon is looking help right the ship.

"I really want to increase some of the numbers I had last year," Dixon said. "And just do better for my teammates, know my role and do whatever I can to help us win."

Contact staff writer Julian McWilliams at 864-223-1814 or on Twitter @JulianMack105

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Former Emerald standout eyes next season - Index-Journal

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Former Emerald standout eyes next season – Index-Journal | July 4th, 2017

NASA says astronaut Jack Fischer shot this photo of the SpaceX Dragon capsule reentering Earths atmosphere before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on at 5:12 a.m. Pacific time Monday July 3, 2017.

Heres more from NASAs statement:

Fischer commented, Beautiful expanse of stars-but the long orange one is SpaceX-11 reentering! Congrats team for a successful splashdown & great mission!

A variety of technological and biological studies conducted on the International Space Station are returning in Dragon. The Fruit Fly Lab-02 experiment seeks to better understand the effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity on the heart. Samples from the Systemic Therapy of NELL-1 for osteoporosis will return as part of an investigation using rodents as models to test a new drug that can both rebuild bone and block further bone loss, improving crew health. The Cardiac Stem Cells experiment investigated how microgravity affects stem cells and the factors that govern stem cell activity.

The Dragon spacecraft launched June 3 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from historic Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and arrived at the station June 5.

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See SpaceX Dragon capsule reenter Earth's atmosphere in this amazing photo - LA Daily News

Cardiac Stem Cells Comments Off on See SpaceX Dragon capsule reenter Earth’s atmosphere in this amazing photo – LA Daily News | July 4th, 2017

Visakhapatnam: Lack of awareness on the importance of becoming a blood stem cell donor is hindering the treatment of people suffering from blood cancer and other fatal blood disorders like thalassemia and aplastic anaemia.

Since the only cure is a blood stem cell transplant, the need of the hour is to sensitise people of the city on the necessity of becoming a potential blood stem cell donor to save lives, experts say.

According to oncologists based in Vizag, the cases of blood cancer are increasing and the treatment options are very few. Moreover, patients with blood cancer are sent to Hyderabad and other centres for treatment as neither there are donors nor equipment for stem cell transplant in the port city.

For a successful transplant, patients suffering from fatal blood disorders need blood stem cells from a healthy and genetically matched donor. Unfortunately, the probability of finding a genetically matched donor is one in 10,000 to one in over a million.

Only about 25 per cent of the patients find a donor from within their family. Rest need to wait for a life-saving donor.

"The chances of finding a match for patients suffering from these fatal blood disorders could only widen if there are more number of donors registered," says Ravindranath Chava, co-ordinator of a Chennai-based blood stem cell donors registry- DATRI.

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Lack of stem cell donations plagues patients - Times of India

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Lack of stem cell donations plagues patients – Times of India | July 2nd, 2017