Research into alternative stem cell sources has identified urine derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) as a possible option for use in regenerative kidney therapies in the future.

Scientists have demonstrated their protocol for the reproducible isolation of kidney stem cells from human urine. These urine derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) could be used to provide easier access to stem cells for regenerative kidney therapies and modelling diseases for R&D.

A shortage of donor organs and the risks and pain associated with bone marrow stem cell extractions and third trimester amniotic fluid collection have encouraged researchers to find alternative sources of stem cells. According to scientists, several laboratories have indicated urine could be an alternative source, at least for kidney stem cells, so the researchers from Heinrich Heine University-Duesseldorf (HHU) Germany,set out to complete a comprehensive molecular and cellular analysis of these cells.

UdRPCs should be considered as the choice of renal stem cells for facilitating the study of nephrogenesis, nephrotoxicity, disease modelling and drug development

Their study, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that UdRPCs isolated from ten individuals express both markers typically seen in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and renal stem cells. The renal stem cell markers, according to the paper, allow UdRPCs to be differentiated into cell types present in the kidney, eg, podocytes and the proximal and distal tubules. The study also showed that these progenitor cells have similar properties to amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFCs).

Wasco Wruck, bioinformatician and co-author of the study, said: It is amazing that these valuable cells can be isolated from urine and comparing all the genes expressed in UdRPCs with that derived from kidney biopies we could confirm their renal and renal progenitor cell properties and origin.

According to Martina Bohndorf, a study co-author, UdRPCs can also be easily and efficiently reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells using a non-viral integration-free and safe method.

Dr James Adjaye, study senior author and professor at the Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine (ISRM) in the medical faculty of HHU, revealed that one of the most promising options in the near future is the use of transplantable renal stem cells (UdRPCs) for treatment of kidney diseases as a complementary option to kidney organs. He concluded that human UdRPCs should be considered as the choice of renal stem cells for facilitating the study of nephrogenesis, nephrotoxicity, disease modelling and drug development.

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Kidney stem cells isolated from urine could be regenerative therapies - Drug Target Review

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Kidney stem cells isolated from urine could be regenerative therapies – Drug Target Review | February 5th, 2020

Mesoblast Tenders Completed Biologics License Application

Mesoblast Limited (MESO) announced that it has filed a completed Biologics License Application (BLA) with the United States Food and Drug Administration for its lead allogeneic cell therapy Ryoncil. The therapy is aimed at treating children with steroid-refractory acute graft versus host disease (SR-aGVHD).

Mesoblast submitted the final module of its rolling BLA submission on January 31, 2020. This module covers various aspects related to manufacturing and quality control. The drug candidate currently has Fast Track designation assigned to it and on the basis of this tag, the company is now seeking the FDA to carry out Priority Review of its BLA.

Subject to the approval of the therapy, the company is looking to launch it in the US markets in 2020. CEO Dr. Silviu Itescu said, "This is a major corporate milestone for Mesoblast." The company is expected to use the insights gained from its Temcell product in Japan for the marketing of Ryoncil.

Acute Graft versus Host disease affects nearly 50 percent of patients given an allogeneic Bone Marrow transplant. It is estimated that nearly 30,000 patients undergo bone marrow transplants worldwide. The mortality rate for patients suffering from actual GVHD is close to 90 percent. Currently, there is no FDA approved treatment for this in the United States for children under 12.

Ryoncil has been tested on 309 children suffering from SR-aGVHD during three different studies. It was employed as salvage therapy on 241 children with SR-aGVHD (80% Grade C/D) who failed institutional standard of care. It has also been tested as first line therapy for an open label Phase 3 trial in 55 children with SR-aGVHD. RYONCIL, is an investigational therapy comprising culture-expanded mesenchymal stem cells. These stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of an unrelated donor. The drug is administered to patients as intravenous infusions.

Mesoblast specializes in developing allogeneic cellular medicines. The company uses its proprietary cell therapy technology platform for research and development purpose. It has strong drug pipeline with products such as Remestemcel-L, Revascor, MPC-06-ID and MPC-300-IV. Revascor and MPC-06-ID have completed patient enrollment for its Phase 3 trials. The former drug candidate is aimed at treating advanced chronic heart failure while the latter is targeted at treating chronic low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. The companys Temcell and Alofisel drugs are already approved in Japan and Europe, respectively.

Mesoblast has posted strong operative results as well. The company had reported 46 percent growth in its revenue during the first quarter of 2020. Mesoblast ended the quarter with $34.5 million in cash while its pro forma cash in hand stood at $100 million. The company also reported its strategic partnership with Grunenthal, which entitles Mesoblast to receive up to $150 million in upfront and milestone payments. The collaboration will also result in commercialization milestone payments. Such milestone payments have the potential to cross $1 billion mark.

Mesoblast stock has performed strongly in the market. The stock has charted over 200 percent in the past 12 months. Currently, it is trading close to its 52-week high of $10.88 and has potential to maintain its positive trajectory as the company forges ahead with its research and development activities and marketing efforts.

Waters Corporation (WAT) reported its fourth-quarter earnings and provided guidance for 2020. The company registered $716 million in revenue for the fourth quarter, in line with the revenue of $715 million it had reported for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Its GAAP diluted earnings per share stood at $3.12 per share, up from $2.46 on year-on-year basis.

For the full fiscal year 2019, the companys revenue stood at $2.4 billion, down 1 percent from $2.42 billion in revenue it had earned in fiscal year 2018. The EPS for the fiscal year stood at $8.69, up from $7.65 for the previous year. The non GAAP EPS also increased from $8.29 to $8.99 for fiscal year 2019.

The company reported that its sales in both the pharmaceuticals and industrial market declined by 1 percent. However, its sales into the government and academic market grew 8 percent. Chris OConnell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Waters Corporation, said, We were encouraged by the increasing impact in the fourth quarter of our new products launched during 2019.

While its full-year and fourth-quarter numbers were strong, the company provided rather lackluster guidance for fiscal year 2020. Waters Corporation expects its full-year revenue to increase by 1 percent to 3 percent. Its non GAAP EPS will likely remain between $9.15 and $9.40, lower than consensus estimate of $1.75. For its first quarter, Waters Corporations non GAAP EPS for the first quarter is expected to be in the range of $1.55 and $1.65. The consensus estimate for non GAAP EPS guidance was at $1.75.

EyePoint Pharmaceuticals (EYPT) reported its new exclusive licensing deal with Equinox Science. The deal involves the development of vorolanib for treating wet age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy. Vorolanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

EyePoint elaborated that its drug candidate EYP 1901, which incorporates vorolanib, uses a miniaturized, sustained release and injectable intravitreal drug delivery system offering six months duration. The company has used its bioerodible Durasert technology for this purpose. EyePoint is optimistic about the combination of vorolanib with Durasert technology for delivering superior results.

Under the terms of the agreement, EyePoint will take care of development and global commercialization of the treatment. However, the global commercialization will exclude China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau regions. For this purpose, EyePoint will pay $1 million to Equinox Science as upfront payment. It will also pay development and regulatory milestones and post commercialization royalties.

EyePoint recently concluded a positive Type B pre investigational New Drug meeting with the FDA. The meeting clarified the pathway for a Phase 1 clinical trial. The company expects to present the data from Phase 1 trial during the second half of 2021. Nancy Lurker, President and Chief Executive Officer of EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, said, We are encouraged by the potential of vorolanib, as it demonstrated a promising Phase 1 and Phase 2 efficacy signal in prior human wAMD studies as an oral therapy and in preclinical animal studies as intravitreal EYP-1901.

EyePoint is a biopharma company specializing in developing novel ophthalmic products. The company currently has two products available in the market which are Dexycu and Yutiqu. The former is the first approved intraocular treatment for postoperative inflammation while the latter is a three-year treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye.

Thanks for reading. At the Total Pharma Tracker, we do more than follow biotech news. Using our IOMachine, our team of analysts work to be ahead of the curve.

That means that when the catalyst comes that will make or break a stock, weve positioned ourselves for success. And we share that positioning and all the analysis behind it with our members.

Disclosure: I am/we are long MESO. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Mesoblast Submits BLA, And Other News: The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Biopharma - Seeking Alpha

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Mesoblast Submits BLA, And Other News: The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Biopharma – Seeking Alpha | February 5th, 2020

'This is the beginning of my new life'

I thought my cancer diagnosis was a death sentence, said Lynnette Williams-Briggs, 60, of Seaford, Delaware, who was diagnosed with advanced B-cell lymphoma in 2018.

Briggs cancer is now in complete remission thanks to successful chimeric antigen receptor CAR-T cell therapy she received in August atChristianaCaresHelen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research InstitutesBone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program.

I can breathe again. This is the beginning of my new life, Williams-Briggs said following the treatment that restored her hope for a second chance at life.

She was the first patient to receive CAR-T cell therapy in Delaware. A second patient was treated in December 2019, and doctors are preparing several more patients for CAR-T cell transplants in coming weeks.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved CAR-T cell therapy to treat patients like Williams-Briggs with highly resistant, B-cell blood cancers, for whom other available options have failed.

CAR-T cell therapy is only available at select cancer centers with specialized expertise in cellular therapies that are recognized for quality by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.

The Graham Cancer Centers Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program is the only one in Delaware that is certified to treat adult patients with advanced B-cell lymphomas and children and young adults (to age 25) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, using an FDA-approved drug.

CAR-T cell therapy is highly personalized medicine that attempts to use the bodys natural defenses to fight against cancer. The transplant team extracts millions of T cells, from the patients bloodstream, using a specialized blood filtration process called leukapheresis. The collected T cells are flash-frozen and sent to a lab for reprogramming, and then later infused back into the patient using a process similar to a blood transfusion.

The therapy is considered a living drug with potential benefits that could last for years.

When we first met Ms. Williams-Briggs, her cancer had progressed rapidly despite a third round of chemotherapy, so we knew we had to move quickly, said Graham Cancer Center Hematologist Peter Abdelmessieh, D.O. He worked closely with the bone marrow/stem cell transplant team and Graham Cancer Center leadership over the course of just eight months to develop the CAR-T cell therapy program.

It was truly a team effort to bring CAR-T cell therapy to our community so quickly, Dr. Abdelmessieh said.

CAR-T cell therapy has been extremely effective for many patients like Williams-Briggs, whose PET scan at 90 days confirmed her remission.

The supercharged T cells Williams-Briggs received were genetically modified in the lab to sprout new surface tools that improve their ability to recognize, latch onto and destroy other cells (including cancer cells) that express a specific antigen called CD19. These reprogrammed cells continue to multiply in the body after treatment, remaining on guard to seek and destroy any new cancers that might develop.

With continued success in increasing numbers of patients, it is conceivable that in the not too distant future, CAR-T cell therapy could become the new standard of care, replacing chemotherapy and stem cell transplants for many cancers, Dr. Abdelmessieh said.

The extended recovery period for CAR-T cell therapy is generally two to three months. After the infusion, patients may spend up to three weeks in the hospital to monitor treatment response and any side effects.

During the first 30 days after leaving the hospital, patients are required to remain close to the treatment center for regular follow-up care.

The ability to offer potentially life-saving CAR-T cell therapy is one more reason our patients need not travel further than the Graham Cancer Center for state-of-the-science cancer treatment, said Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., Bank of America medical director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

The Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program is an outstanding example of how well our clinical teams work together to drive innovation in patient care.

Although patients normally do not experience the side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting or hair loss, CAR-T cell therapy is not without risks. A common side effect, which Williams-Briggs also experienced, is cytokine release syndrome. This is an inflammatory condition that causes flu-like symptoms that may be mild or severe.

The transplant team responded quickly to manage her symptoms while she received expert care on the Bone Marrow Transplant and Oncology unit at Christiana Hospital.

From the moment I first met with my transplant team, I felt like I was part of one big loving family that extended beyond my own loved ones, Williams-Briggs said.

Dr. Abdelmessieh and my ChristianaCare family gave me hope to keep fighting when I really didnt think I would make it. I would have driven anywhere to get life-saving treatment, but I am thankful that I did not have to. I found my miracle closer to home.

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First CAR-T cell cancer therapy patient in Delaware - Dover Post

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on First CAR-T cell cancer therapy patient in Delaware – Dover Post | February 5th, 2020

WARSAW (AFP) Submerged in liquid nitrogen vapour at a temperature of minus 175 degrees Celsius, hundreds of thousands of stem cells from all over Europe bide their time in large steel barrels on the outskirts of Warsaw.

Present in blood drawn from the umbilical cord of a newborn baby, stem cells can help cure serious blood-related illnesses like leukaemia and lymphoma, as well as genetic conditions and immune system deficits.

Polish umbilical cord blood bank PBKM/FamiCord became the industrys leader in Europe after Swiss firm Cryo-Save went bankrupt early last year.

It is also the fifth largest in the world, according to its management, after two companies in the United States (US), a Chinese firm and one based in Singapore.

Since the first cord blood transplant was performed in France in 1988, the sector has significantly progressed, fuelling hopes.

Mum-of-two Teresa Przeborowska has firsthand experience.

At five-years-old, her son Michal was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia and needed a bone marrow transplant, the entrepreneur from northern Poland said.

The most compatible donor was his younger sister, Magdalena.

When she was born, her parents had a bag of her cord blood stored at PBKM.

More than three years later, doctors injected his sisters stem cells into Michals bloodstream. It was not quite enough for Michals needs but nicely supplemented harvested bone marrow.

As a result, Michal, who is nine, is now flourishing, both intellectually and physically, his mum told AFP.

A cord blood transplant has become an alternative to a bone marrow transplant when there is no donor available, with a lower risk of complications.

Stem cells taken from umbilical cord blood are like those taken from bone marrow, capable of producing all blood cells: red cells, platelets and immune system cells.

When used, stem cells are first concentrated, then injected into the patient. Once transfused, they produce new cells of every kind.

At the PBKM laboratory, each container holds up to 10,000 blood bags. Safe and secure, they wait to be used in the future, its Head Krzysztof Machaj, said.

The bank holds around 440,000 samples, not including those from Cryo-Save, he said.

If the need arises, the blood will be ready to use without the whole process of looking for a compatible donor and running blood tests, the biologist told AFP.

For families who have paid an initial nearly EUR600 (USD675) and then an annual EUR120 euros to have the blood taken from their newborns umbilical cords preserved for around 20 years, it is a kind of health insurance promising faster and more effective treatment if illness strikes.

But researchers also warn against unrealistic expectations.

Bone marrow pioneer in Poland Haematologist Wieslaw Jedrzejczak describes promoters of the treatment as sellers of hope, who make promises that are either impossible to realise in the near future or downright impossible to realise at all for biological reasons.

He compares them to makers of beauty products who swear their cream will rejuvenate the client by 20 years.

Various researches is being done on the possibility of using the stem cells to treat other diseases, notably nervous disorders. But the EuroStemCell scientist network warns that the research is not yet conclusive.

There is a list of almost 80 diseases for which stem cells could prove beneficial, US Haematologist Roger Mrowiec, who heads the clinical laboratory of the cord blood programme Vitalant in New Jersey, told AFP.

But given the present state of medicine, they are effective only for around a dozen of them, like leukaemia or cerebral palsy, he said.

Its not true, as its written sometimes, that we can already use them to fight Parkinsons disease or Alzheimers disease or diabetes.

EuroStemCell also cautions against private blood banks that advertise services to parents suggesting they should pay to freeze their childs cord blood in case its needed later in life.

Studies show it is highly unlikely that the cord blood will ever be used for their child, the network said.

It also pointed out that there could be a risk of the childs cells not being useable anyway without reintroducing the same illness.

Some countries, such as Belgium and France, are cautious and ban the storage of cord blood for private purposes. Most European Union (EU) countries however permit it while imposing strict controls.

In the early 2000s, Swiss company Cryo-Save enjoyed rapid growth.

Greeks, Hungarians, Italians, Spaniards and Swiss stored blood from their newborns with the company for 20 years on payment of UER2,500 euros upfront.

When the firm was forced to close in early 2019, clients were left wondering where their stem cells would end up.

Under a kind of back-up agreement, the samples of some 250,000 European families were transferred for storage at PBKM.

The Polish firm, founded in 2002 with PLN2million (around EUR450,000, USD525,000), has also grown quickly.

Present under the FamiCord brand in several countries, PBKM has some 35 per cent of the European market, excluding Cryo-Save assets.

Over the last 15 months, outside investors have contributed EUR63 million to the firm, PBKMs Chief Executive Jakub Baran told AFP.

But the company has not escaped controversy: the Polityka weekly recently published a critical investigative report on several private clinics that offer what was described as expensive treatment involving stem cells held by PBKM.

Read more:
Europe's guardian of stem cells and hopes, real and unrealistic - Borneo Bulletin Online

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Europe’s guardian of stem cells and hopes, real and unrealistic – Borneo Bulletin Online | February 5th, 2020

Spurred by promising clinical results in an important trial, each of the three major CRISPR stocks had a great performance in the second half of 2019. Unfortunately, they didn't keep the momentum going in the first month of 2020.

Shares of Intellia Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NTLA) fell 18.8% in January, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. That was followed by a 14.7% loss for shares of CRISPR Therapeutics (NASDAQ:CRSP) and a 10.7% tumble for shares of Editas Medicine (NASDAQ:EDIT).

While each has recovered some ground in the first week of February, this trio of pharma stocks is no stranger to volatility. Investors should probably expect that to continue as clinical programs advance in 2020.

Image source: Getty Images.

In November, CRISPR Therapeutics reported data for the first two individuals in the trial, one with sickle cell disease (SCD) and one with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT), treated with its lead drug candidate CTX001. Both enjoyed significant benefits in their standard of living, which investors interpreted as a sign that CRISPR gene editing might actually live up to the hype.

That fueled annual gains of 113% for CRISPR Therapeutics last year. While Editas Medicine and Intellia Therapeutics gained only 30% and 7%, respectively, each had been sitting at a year-to-date loss in October.

What relevance does that have for the tumbles taken in January? First, it's not unusual for stocks to regress to the mean. Stocks that are red hot eventually cool off, while those that tumble without good reason eventually recover some ground.

Second, and the more important consideration for investors, is that the early stage results for CTX001 mean relatively little for the industry's pipeline of CRISPR-based gene editing drug candidates.

Consider that CTX001 is an ex vivo tool. Researchers harvest bone marrow from patients, extract specific types of stem cells, and engineer those with CTX001. The engineered stem cells are then grown in the lab before being reinjected into the patient.

Many other CRISPR-based drug candidates are designed as in vivo tools. That means the gene editing payloads are designed to engineer a patient's DNA while inside the body. An in vivo approach is inherently more complex and will be more difficult to control compared to an ex vivo approach.

Put another way, investors cannot take the promising, early stage results from CTX001 and extrapolate it broadly across all first-generation CRISPR tools. Wall Street certainly isn't, if the correlation between technical approach and stock performance is any guide.

Consider that the two most advanced drug candidates from CRISPR Therapeutics rely on ex vivo engineering. By contrast, the lead drug candidate from Editas Medicine relies on in vivo methods.

The lead pipeline asset from Intellia Therapeutics is also an in vivo tool, though unlike the lead assets from its peers, it has yet to advance to clinical trials.

Investors should expect 2020 to be a busy year for these CRISPR stocks. CRISPR Therapeutics will have more clinical data from CTX001 and the first set of data for its lead oncology asset CTX110.

Similarly, Editas Medicine should have results for EDIT101 and progress additional assets, while Intellia Therapeutics is preparing to finally enter the clinic with NTLA-2001 in the second half of the year.

Investors cannot know if the next batch of results will be as rosy as the initial data for CTX001, but they can probably expect another year of volatile stock movements.

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Here's Why CRISPR Stocks Fell in January - The Motley Fool

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Here’s Why CRISPR Stocks Fell in January – The Motley Fool | February 5th, 2020

"Grand View Research, Inc. - Market Research And Consulting."

According to report published by Grand View Research, the global cell harvesting systems market size was valued USD 3.17 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.9% over the forecast period.

The globalCell Harvesting System Marketis expected to reach USD 10.17 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The increasing demand of stem cellbased therapies, owing to the growing base of aging population and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, is one of the major factors contributing toward lucrative market growth.

Growing investment on stem cell research is one of the high impact rendering drivers contributing to the demand of stem cells, which thereby contributes to growth of cell harvesting system market. There has been a significant rise in stem cell transplantation rate globally, which is another major driver for increasing demand across the globe. Growth in autologous stem cell transplantation along with increasing stem cell banking is stimulating demand of cell harvesting system.

The potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, such as in case of cancer, trauma, congenital diseases, etc., is also one of the factors contributing to the demand for stem cells for research, thereby contributing toward growth of cell harvesting system market across the globe. The rising prevalence of certain diseases such as cancer is expected to drive the growth of this market over the forecast period.

Request a Sample Copy of the Global Cell Harvesting System Market Research Report@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cell-harvesting-systems-market/request/rs1

Further Key Findings From the Report:

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/inquiry/3739/ibb

Grand View Research has segmented the global cell harvesting system market on the basis of product, application, end use, and region:

Cell Harvesting System Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

Cell Harvesting System End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

Cell Harvesting System Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

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Cell Sorting Market: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cell-sorting-market

Cell Therapy Market: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cell-therapy-market

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. This U.S.-based market research and consulting company is registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco. Comprising over 425 analysts and consultants, the company adds 1200+ market research reports to its extensive database each year. Supported by an interactive market intelligence platform, the team at Grand View Research guides Fortune 500 companies and prominent academic institutes in comprehending the global and regional business environment and carefully identifying future opportunities.

Media ContactCompany Name: Grand View Research, Inc.Contact Person: Sherry James, Corporate Sales Specialist - U.S.A.Email: Send EmailPhone: 1-415-349-0058, Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519Address:201, Spear Street, 1100 City: San FranciscoState: CaliforniaCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cell-harvesting-systems-market

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Cell Harvesting System Market Size is Estimated to Attain $10.17 Billion By 2025: Grand View Research, Inc - Press Release - Digital Journal

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Cell Harvesting System Market Size is Estimated to Attain $10.17 Billion By 2025: Grand View Research, Inc – Press Release – Digital Journal | February 5th, 2020

Cancer | One of the most common disease in the world

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally which has caused over nine million deaths in 2018. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 5 men and one in 6 women worldwide develop cancer during their lifetime, and one in 8 men and one in 11 women die from the disease.

But recently the first science minister of Colombia claimed that she has created a fungus extract drink which can treat cancer. After this unproven claim became public, it caused massive chaos which led to the resignation appeal to the minister.

Unproven claims by Mabel Gisela Torres

It was in 2019 December when Colombian President Ivn Duque Mrquez appointed molecular biologist Mabel Gisela Torres to be the first head of the newly created Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Only a few nations knew who she was and Gustavo Quintero Hernndez, the dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences at Del Rosario University mentioned her as a "total stranger," after she took over the newly formed ministry.

But at this current moment, she is one of the well-known and most debated person as Torres, who is an expert in fungi from the Technological University of El Choc in Quibd who used an extract from a member of the Ganoderma family of mushrooms to create a tea-like drink to treat 40 people with cancer.

It should be mentioned that the Colombian minister had published 21 scientific articles, largely on a type of mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine and claimed to have created cancer remedy. But claiming that she found a cancer curing fungus extract made her receive calls to resign. She claimed that already 40 patients took the medicine and some of them went into remission after consuming the potion.

Controversy over cancer treatment

After making such claims, the scientists asked her why she did not follow the widely considered steps to develop the medication. It was also revealed that her finding was not published in any peer-reviewed scientific journal. She neither offered a clinical trial for this cancer remedy nor consulted with an ethics committee, which caused fear that it was an unproven treatment method and that she might be putting the lives of her patients in danger.

But in an interview with Colombia's El Espectador newspaper, Torres defended treatment and said that some traditional treatments have a scientific basis, but the knowledge is not presented in the standard way. In addition, she mentioned that Ganoderma had previously passed toxicity tests in Asia more than 2,000 years ago.

As per Torres, she was looking for potential treatment and a male patient who took the potion was cancer-free after three months. But again, she could not provide any evidence to back her claims. She also compared the treatment with something as safe as having "mango juice at home."

Cancer treatment by Torres

During the interview, she was asked why did she give the patients medically unproven cancer treatment despite not carrying out pre-clinical or clinical studies, or publishing her findings. In response, she mentioned, "I wanted to do an act of rebellion and that is to say: I have the possibility to help people."

However, as per the new report by Nature, Torres would release her data, while the government confirmed that Torres would stay in office.

She said, "At no time have I simplistically proposed that this species [could] be the cure for cancer. I haven't offered a drug, let alone market it. I have rigorously observed the established ethical protocols for scientific experimentation in general and those that apply specifically in my disciplinary field."

Cancer treatment

The usual cancer treatment options include:

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Claims of Colombia science minister to cure cancer with her innovative fungus drink leave scientists shell-shocked - International Business Times,...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Claims of Colombia science minister to cure cancer with her innovative fungus drink leave scientists shell-shocked – International Business Times,… | February 5th, 2020

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM)("Actinium") today announced that Sandesh Seth, Actinium's Chairman & CEO, will be presenting at the 22nd Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference. Hosted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the 22nd Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference will take place February 10th and 11th at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Presentation Details

Date:Tuesday, February 11Time:10:15 am ETPresenter:Sandesh Seth, Chairman and CEOLocation:New York Marriott Marquis, Ziegfeld Room

Members of Actinium's Executive team will be available for one-on-one meetings with conference attendees. Those interested in scheduling a meeting with Actinium may do so by contacting Steve O'Loughlin, Principal Financial Officer via email at soloughlin@actiniumpharma.com.

About Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: ATNM)Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ARCs or Antibody Radiation-Conjugates, which combine the targeting ability of antibodies with the cell killing ability of radiation. Actinium's lead application for our ARCs is targeted conditioning, which is intended to selectively deplete a patient's disease or cancer cells and certain immune cells prior to a BMT or Bone Marrow Transplant, Gene Therapy or Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) such as CAR-T to enable engraftment of these transplanted cells with minimal toxicities. With our ARC approach, we seek to improve patient outcomes and access to these potentially curative treatments by eliminating or reducing the non-targeted chemotherapy that is used for conditioning in standard practice currently. Our lead product candidate, apamistamab-I-131 (Iomab-B) is being studied in the ongoing pivotal Phase 3Study ofIomab-B inElderlyRelapsed orRefractoryAcute Myeloid Leukemia (SIERRA) trial for BMT conditioning. The SIERRA trial is over fifty percent enrolled and promising single-agent, feasibility and safety data has been highlighted at ASH, TCT, ASCO and SOHO annual meetings. Apatmistamamb-I-131 will also be studied as a targeted conditioning agent in a Phase 1/2 anti-HIV stem cell gene therapy with UC Davis and is expected to be studied with a CAR-T therapy in 2020. In addition, we are developing a multi-disease, multi-target pipeline of clinical-stage ARCs targeting the antigens CD45 and CD33 for targeted conditioning and as a therapeutic either in combination with other therapeutic modalities or as a single agent for patients with a broad range of hematologic malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple myeloma. Ongoing combination trials include our CD33 alpha ARC, Actimab-A, in combination with the salvage chemotherapy CLAG-M and the Bcl-2 targeted therapy venetoclax. Underpinning our clinical programs is our proprietary AWE (Antibody Warhead Enabling) technology platform. This is where our intellectual property portfolio of over 100 patents, know-how, collective research and expertise in the field are being leveraged to construct and study novel ARCs and ARC combinations to bolster our pipeline for strategic purposes. Our AWE technology platform is currently being utilized in a collaborative research partnership with Astellas Pharma, Inc.

More information is available at http://www.actiniumpharma.com, http://www.sierratrial.com and our Twitter feed @ActiniumPharma, http://www.twitter.com/actiniumpharma.

Forward-Looking Statements for Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This press release may contain projections or other "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe-harbor" provisions of the private securities litigation reform act of 1995 regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Company which the Company undertakes no obligation to update. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated or estimated future results, including the risks and uncertainties associated with preliminary study results varying from final results, estimates of potential markets for drugs under development, clinical trials, actions by the FDA and other governmental agencies, regulatory clearances, responses to regulatory matters, the market demand for and acceptance of Actinium's products and services, performance of clinical research organizations and other risks detailed from time to time in Actinium's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including without limitation its most recent annual report on form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K, each as amended and supplemented from time to time.

Contacts:

Investors:Hans VitzthumLifeSci Advisors, LLCHans@LifeSciAdvisors.com(617) 535-7743

Media:Alisa Steinberg, Director, IR & Corp Commsasteinberg@actiniumpharma.com(646) 237-4087

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/actinium-pharmaceuticals-inc-to-present-at-the-22nd-annual-bio-ceo--investor-conference-300999431.html

SOURCE Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Present at the 22nd Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference - BioSpace

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to Present at the 22nd Annual BIO CEO & Investor Conference – BioSpace | February 5th, 2020

Jack Chieh and Yinnie Wong with their baby boy, born last Friday (Chinese New Year). The couple donate her baby's cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre.Handout

Yinnie Wong and Jack Chiehs six-pound, 13-ounce baby boy as yet unnamed was born on an auspicious day, Jan. 24, Chinese New Year, and hes already doing good in the world.

Everyone was really happy, it is supposed to be a lucky day, said Wong.

Although the birth was a planned C-section, Wong had no control over the date hospital administrators chose for the birth. What she did have control over was the choice to donate her babys cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Cord blood is blood that is taken from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after the birth of a healthy infant. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, and can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including leukemia.

According to Canadian Blood Services, ethnically diverse donors are especially needed because although Stats Canada data shows 67.7 per cent of Canadians consider their ethnic origin to be diverse, only 31 per cent of Canadians with blood in Canadas stem-cell registry are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Crystal Nguyen, 20, is a former B.C. Childrens Hospital patient whose life was saved by a stem-cell transplant from donated cord blood. Nguyen was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. After chemo, she went into remission for almost three years. Then the cancer returned. She was told she needed a bone-marrow transplant.

Crystal Nguyen, now 20, was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. She found a stem-cell match for a needed bone-marrow transplant through the international cord blood bank.Handout

When I relapsed I was very confused, it was kind of surreal. The main thing about being told I needed the bone-marrow stem-cell transplant was confusion, fear and anxiety.

Nguyen is of Vietnamese descent and needed a match to survive. No one in her family was a match, nor was there a stem-cell match in the Canadian cord blood bank, but a match was found thanks to the Canadian Blood Services partnerships with 47 international blood banks.

I was told it came through the international cord blood bank from somewhere very far away, said Nguyen, who has been in remission since the transplant.

When she learned the stem-cell transplant had been successful, Nguyen, who is now studying to become a pediatric oncology nurse, said it felt too good to be true.

There was a lot of happiness, joy, excitement. Donating cord blood is such a simple way to save a life.

Although cord blood can be collected and stored for a fee by private companies and reserved for the donor familys use, cord blood donated through Canadian Blood Services is available free to the public whoever needs the match.

Wong didnt hesitate when her son was born. I felt like I wanted to do it if it helps someone in the public, and if it could save lives I would have been very happy to help another child, said Wong, who is a nurse at B.C. Womens hospital.

dryan@postmedia.com

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Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord-blood donation - Vancouver Sun

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord-blood donation – Vancouver Sun | February 4th, 2020

Blocking the movement of cells from the bone marrow by inhibiting the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling axis is a potential strategy for treating endometriosis, a recent study done in mice suggests.

The study, titled CXCR4 or CXCR7 antagonists treat endometriosis by reducing bone marrow cell trafficking, was published in theJournal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) play important roles in the normal functioning of the endometrium. For instance, stem cells from the bone marrow are involved in endometrial regeneration. But BMDCs also are involved in the formation of lesions in endometriosis.

The movement of BMDCs to uterine tissue whether for normal physiological reasons or as part of disease development is driven in large part by the signaling protein CXCL12. It acts through two protein receptors: CXCR4 and CXCR7. This CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling axis has been shown to be overactive in women with endometriosis.

Given the central role of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis on BMDCs trafficking and in the pathogenesis [development] of endometriosis, we hypothesized that blocking CXCR4 or CXCR7 in endometriosis would inhibit the growth of endometriosis, the researchers said.

The scientists first used mouse models of endometriosis in which BMDCs were labeled with a fluorescent marker to confirm the presence of these cells in endometriotic lesions.

The BMDCs made up just over 10% of the total number of cells in lesions. Further, BMDCs that expressed CXCR4 represented about 4.4% of total lesion cells, while BMDCs expressing CXCR7 made up about 1.4%. CXCL12 also was highly expressed within the lesions.

The researchers then pharmacologically blocked each of the receptors, using Plerixafor (AMD3100) against CXCR4, and CCX771 against CXCR7. Plerixafor is used in stem cell transplants given to treat certain types of blood cancer. CCX771 is a small molecule without currently approved clinical uses.

Both treatments significantly reduced the percentage of BMDCs in lesions, suggesting that blocking this signaling axis did indeed stop the movement of these cells.

In addition, when either Plerixafor or CCX771 was given immediately after endometriosis establishment, the size of the endometriotic lesions was reduced by more than half compared with control mice. Blood vessel density also was significantly reduced, by about 40% for both receptors.

The treatments also reduced the expression of inflammatory signaling molecules known to be elevated in endometriosis, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha).

In a separate experiment to further test the treatments potential, Plerixafor and CCX771 were administered a few weeks after the endometriosis lesions developed. This more closely models the preexisting lesions found in humans at the time of endometriosis diagnosis, the researchers said.

The results were similar to those seen in the earlier model: there were significant decreases in lesion size by about 60% as well as in levels of inflammatory signaling molecules.

Notably, neither drug had any detectable effect on hormone cycling in the mice, demonstrating that the effects of these agents worked [through] a hormone independent pathway, the researchers said.

Based on the data, the researchers concluded that blocking the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling axis may treat endometriosis. However, these results alone do not demonstrate that this effect is directly because of reduced BMDC recruitment. It would be equally plausible to postulate that the effect is due to blocking CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling in the endometrial cells themselves, not BMDCs, the investigators said.

To test this idea, the team established endometriosis models in mice that were engineered so that the cells in their uteruses could not make CXCL12. There were no detectable differences between these endometriosis lesions and lesions in mice that could make CXCL12 in their uteruses. Further, Plerixafor had no detectable effect on human endometrial cells taken from people with endometriosis and treated in a dish.

This suggests that the beneficial effect induced by blocking CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling is due to an effect on cells outside of the uterus. Due to their prevalence in lesions, this most likely means BMDCs, the researchers said.

Clinical use [of these therapies] will likely depend on side effect profile; the effects of prolonged use are not well characterized, the team said. They added that future studies evaluating such drugs safety profiles and off-target effects, particularly with long-term use, will be needed before these results can be translated into clinical application.

CXCR4 and CXCR7 antagonists are promising novel, nonhormonal therapies for endometriosis, the researchers concluded.

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

Total Posts: 146

Margarida graduated with a BS in Health Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a MSc in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior Tcnico (IST-UL). She worked as a molecular biologist research associate at a Cambridge UK-based biotech company that discovers and develops therapeutic, fully human monoclonal antibodies.

Excerpt from:
Blocking Bone Marrow Cell Movement May Be Non-Hormonal Treatment... - Endometriosis News Today

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Blocking Bone Marrow Cell Movement May Be Non-Hormonal Treatment… – Endometriosis News Today | February 4th, 2020

Jack Chieh and Yinnie Wong with their baby boy, born last Friday (Chinese New Year). The couple donate her baby's cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre.Handout

By Denise Ryan

Yinnie Wong and Jack Chiehs six-pound, 13-ounce baby boy as yet unnamed was born on an auspicious day, Jan. 24, Chinese New Year, and hes already doing good in the world.

Everyone was really happy, it is supposed to be a lucky day, said Wong.

Although the birth was a planned C-section, Wong had no control over the date hospital administrators chose for the birth. What she did have control over was the choice to donate her babys cord blood to thecord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Cord blood is blood that is taken from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after the birth of a healthy infant. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, and can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including leukemia.

According to Canadian Blood Services, ethnically diverse donors are especially needed because although Stats Canada data shows 67.7 per cent of Canadians consider their ethnic origin to be diverse, only 31 per cent of Canadians with blood in Canadas stem-cell registry are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Crystal Nguyen, 20, is a former B.C. Childrens Hospital patient whose life was saved by a stem-cell transplant from donated cord blood. Nguyen was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. After chemo, she went into remission for almost three years. Then the cancer returned. She was told she needed a bone-marrow transplant.

When I relapsed I was very confused, it was kind of surreal. The main thing about being told I needed the bone-marrow stem-cell transplant was confusion, fear and anxiety.

Nguyen is of Vietnamese descent and needed a match to survive. No one in her family was a match, nor was there a stem-cell match in the Canadian cord blood bank, but a match was found thanks to the Canadian Blood Services partnerships with 47 international blood banks.

I was told it came through the international cord blood bank from somewhere very far away, said Nguyen, who has been in remission since the transplant.

When she learned the stem-cell transplant had been successful, Nguyen, who is now studying to become a pediatric oncology nurse, said it felt too good to be true.

There was a lot of happiness, joy, excitement. Donating cord blood is such a simple way to save a life.

Although cord blood can be collected and stored for a fee by private companies and reserved for the donor familys use, cord blood donated through Canadian Blood Services is available free to the public whoever needs the match.

Wong didnt hesitate when her son was born. I felt like I wanted to do it if it helps someone in the public, and if it could save lives I would have been very happy to help another child, said Wong, who is a nurse at B.C. Womens hospital.

dryan@postmedia.com

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Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord - The Province

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord – The Province | February 3rd, 2020

Kenneth Pettine's stem cell product to treat OA was tested on retired Navy SEALs

FORT COLLINS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / February 3, 2020 / Kenneth Pettine is proud to announce that his revolutionary mesenchymal stem cell product to treat osteoarthritis was recently tested on 33 former Navy SEALs (one is a medal of honor recipient).

Kenneth Pettine is co-founder of Paisley Laboratories and a co-developer of a bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell active growth factor and exosome product that is anticipated to revolutionize regenerative medicine.

In this study, Extracellular Vesicle Isolate Product (EVIP) was injected into 33 retired Navy SEALs to assist with knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and wrist osteoarthritis. At three-month follow-up, the injection appeared both safe and effective, with improvements ranging from 40% to as high as 98%. The average improvement is over 70%.

"This is extremely promising and we are motivated to continue our clinical studies to improve the quality of life for patients," says Kenneth Pettine.

Kenneth Pettine notes in his study that over 50 million Americans require daily treatment for disability and pain associated with OA. Every year, over one million total hip and knee replacements are performed in the U.S. with direct costs of over $30 billion and indirect costs of over $200 billion, with these numbers expected to double in the next three years.

In addition to this trial, Kenneth Pettine has three additional clinical studies planned to evaluate his stem cell products to treat erectile dysfunction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic lower back pain from painful discs.

For more information, visit https://www.kenneth-pettine.com/

About Kenneth Pettine

Dr. Kenneth Pettine is a serial entrepreneur and published clinical researcher with over 30 years of experience as an orthopedic surgeon. He holds a medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed his master's degree in orthopedic surgery and residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

In 1991, Dr. Pettine founded the Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine. Kenneth Pettine is also the founder of Paisley Laboratories and the co-founder of the Society for Ambulatory Spine Surgery. In addition, he co-invented the Prestige cervical artificial disc and the Maverick Artificial Disc. Dr. Pettine is the principal investigator of 18 FDA studies involving non-fusion implants, biologics, and stem cells. He holds the only two issued U.S. patents for performing stem cell joint and spinal injections and currently has 21 additional patents pending for bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell applications. Kenneth Pettine is also a philanthropist and currently has a scholarship program underway to help students fund their education.

For more information, visit https://www.kenneth-pettine.com/ or https://www.kennethpettinescholarship.com/

Contact

info@kenneth-pettine.com

https://www.kenneth-pettine.com/

SOURCE: Kenneth Pettine

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/574987/Dr-Kenneth-Pettine-Announces-Verification-of-Clinical-Safety-Trial

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Dr. Kenneth Pettine Announces Verification of Clinical Safety Trial - Yahoo Finance

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Dr. Kenneth Pettine Announces Verification of Clinical Safety Trial – Yahoo Finance | February 3rd, 2020

Jack Chieh and Yinnie Wong with their baby boy, born last Friday (Chinese New Year). The couple donate her baby's cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre.Handout

Yinnie Wong and Jack Chiehs six-pound, 13-ounce baby boy as yet unnamed was born on an auspicious day, Jan. 24, Chinese New Year, and hes already doing good in the world.

Everyone was really happy, it is supposed to be a lucky day, said Wong.

Although the birth was a planned C-section, Wong had no control over the date hospital administrators chose for the birth. What she did have control over was the choice to donate her babys cord blood to the cord blood bank at B.C. Womens Hospital & Health Centre, which has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.

Cord blood is blood that is taken from the umbilical cord and placenta immediately after the birth of a healthy infant. Cord blood is rich in stem cells, and can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including leukemia.

According to Canadian Blood Services, ethnically diverse donors are especially needed because although Stats Canada data shows 67.7 per cent of Canadians consider their ethnic origin to be diverse, only 31 per cent of Canadians with blood in Canadas stem-cell registry are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Crystal Nguyen, 20, is a former B.C. Childrens Hospital patient whose life was saved by a stem-cell transplant from donated cord blood. Nguyen was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. After chemo, she went into remission for almost three years. Then the cancer returned. She was told she needed a bone-marrow transplant.

Crystal Nguyen, now 20, was first diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 12. She found a stem-cell match for a needed bone-marrow transplant through the international cord blood bank.Handout

When I relapsed I was very confused, it was kind of surreal. The main thing about being told I needed the bone-marrow stem-cell transplant was confusion, fear and anxiety.

Nguyen is of Vietnamese descent and needed a match to survive. No one in her family was a match, nor was there a stem-cell match in the Canadian cord blood bank, but a match was found thanks to the Canadian Blood Services partnerships with 47 international blood banks.

I was told it came through the international cord blood bank from somewhere very far away, said Nguyen, who has been in remission since the transplant.

When she learned the stem-cell transplant had been successful, Nguyen, who is now studying to become a pediatric oncology nurse, said it felt too good to be true.

There was a lot of happiness, joy, excitement. Donating cord blood is such a simple way to save a life.

Although cord blood can be collected and stored for a fee by private companies and reserved for the donor familys use, cord blood donated through Canadian Blood Services is available free to the public whoever needs the match.

Wong didnt hesitate when her son was born. I felt like I wanted to do it if it helps someone in the public, and if it could save lives I would have been very happy to help another child, said Wong, who is a nurse at B.C. Womens hospital.

dryan@postmedia.com

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? Wed like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com.

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Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord-blood donation - The Province

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Chinese New Year babys B.C. family gives gift of life in cord-blood donation – The Province | February 3rd, 2020

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Stem Cell Banking - Market Analysis, Trends, and Forecasts" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global market for Stem Cell Banking is projected to reach US$9.9 billion by 2025, driven by their growing importance in medicine given their potential to regenerate and repair damaged tissue.

Stem cells are defined as cells with the potential to differentiate and develop into different types of cells. Different accessible sources of stem cells include embryonic stem cells, fetal stem cells, peripheral blood stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (bmMSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells. Benefits of stem cells include ability to reverse diseases like Parkinsons by growing new, healthy and functioning brain cells; heal and regenerate tissues and muscles damaged by heart attack; address genetic defects by introducing normal cells; reduce mortality among patients awaiting donor organs for transplant by regenerating healthy cells and tissues as an alternative to donated organs. While currently valuable in bone marrow transplantation, stem cell therapy holds huge potential in treating a host of common chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease (myocardial infarction), Parkinsons disease, spinal cord injury, arthritis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The technology has the potential to revolutionize public health.

The growing interest in regenerative medicine which involves replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs, will push up the role of stem cells. Developments in stem cells bioprocessing are important and will be key factor that will influence and help regenerative medicine research move into real-world clinical use. The impact of regenerative medicine on healthcare will be comparable to the impact of antibiotics, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies in current clinical care. With global regenerative medicine market poised to reach over US$45 billion 2025, demand for stem cells will witness robust growth.

Another emerging application area for stem cells is in drug testing in the pharmaceutical field. New drugs in development can be safely, accurately, and effectively be tested on stem cells before commencing tests on animal and human models. Among the various types of stem cells, umbilical cord stem cells are growing in popularity as they are easy and safe to extract. After birth blood from the umbilical cord is extracted without posing risk either to the mother or the child. As compared to embryonic and fetal stem cells which are saddled with safety and ethical issues, umbilical cord is recovered postnatally and is today an inexpensive and valuable source of multipotent stem cells. Until now discarded as waste material, umbilical cord blood is today acknowledged as a valuable source of blood stem cells. The huge gap between newborns and available cord blood banks reveals huge untapped opportunity for developing and establishing a more effective banking system for making this type of stem cells viable for commercial scale production and supply. Umbilical cord and placenta contain haematopoietic blood stem cells (HSCs). These are the only cells capable of producing immune system cells (red cells, white cells and platelet).

HSCs are valuable in the treatment of blood diseases and successful bone marrow transplants. Also, unlike bone marrow stem cells, umbilical cord blood has the advantage of having 'off-the-shelf' uses as it requires no human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue matching. Developments in stem cell preservation will remain crucial for successful stem cell banking. Among the preservation technologies, cryopreservation remains popular. Development of additives for protecting cells from the stresses of freezing and thawing will also be important for the future of the market. The United States and Europe represent large markets worldwide with a combined share of 60.5% of the market. China ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 10.8% over the analysis period supported by the large and growing network of umbilical cord blood banks in the country. The Chinese government has, over the years, systematically nurtured the growth of umbilical cord blood (UCB) banks under the 'Developmental and Reproductive Research Initiation' program launched in 2008. Several hybrid public-private partnerships and favorable governmental licensing policies today are responsible for the current growth in this market.

Companies Mentioned

Key Topics Covered:

I. METHODOLOGY

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

III. MARKET ANALYSIS

GEOGRAPHIC MARKET ANALYSIS

UNITED STATES

CANADA

JAPAN

CHINA

EUROPE

FRANCE

GERMANY

ITALY

UNITED KINGDOM

REST OF EUROPE

ASIA-PACIFIC

REST OF WORLD

IV. COMPETITION

V. CURATED RESEARCH

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9b2ra3

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Global Stem Cell Banking Market Analysis, Trends, and Forecasts 2019-2025 - ResearchAndMarkets.com - Business Wire

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Global Stem Cell Banking Market Analysis, Trends, and Forecasts 2019-2025 – ResearchAndMarkets.com – Business Wire | February 3rd, 2020

Photo Courtesy of Michael MankowichAbove, Michael Mankowich and his wife, Kathleen, in Patagonia

NUTLEY, NJ When Nutley resident Michael Mankowichs lower back started to bother him, he figured it was a souvenir from his earlier athletic days. Mike, 58, had been a top-notch wrestler at 132 pounds at Long Islands Commack North High School. Hed been an all-American, in fact, as well as a two-time all-Ivy, three-time New York state champ and three-time EIWA tournament placer as a wrestler at Cornell University. An old wrestlers injury was all it was, he figured, a physical reminder of a quick takedown of an opponent 40 years long forgotten.

But the pain did not go away.

Mike began to see a doctor and a chiropractor, and eventually he got an MRI. The news he received at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in February 2017 was not good. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer that attacks the blood plasma cells responsible for creating disease-fighting antibodies.

They figured it out quickly at Sloan, he said recently, seated with his wife, Kathleen, in their Rutgers Place home. I kept it from Kathleen.

With this news, he became withdrawn, and his wife realized something was wrong. Mike told her what he had learned, and, as so often happens when a couple puts their heads together, they found some reason for hope: multiple myeloma is a blood disease in the bone marrow and, as such, does not metastasize.

Thats where all the action takes place, in the bone marrow, Mike said. You have to keep your chin up.

For treatment, he became part of a six-month chemotherapy clinical study. Mike was glad to be in the study, because most multiple myeloma patients go on chemotherapy for three months and then undergo a stem-cell transplant. He, however, would not.

A stem-cell transplant blows out the immune system, he said.

Kathleen, an administrative coordinator at Felician University School of Nursing, said her husband, a real estate management employee, did not break stride and never missed the commute to New York City during the clinical study.

A member of Nutley High Schools Class of 1976, Kathleen got on the computer.

When your spouse is diagnosed with an incurable cancer, you do a bit of research, she said.

She discovered the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation website and learned it was founded 30 years earlier by a woman named Kathy Giusti, who was living with the disease.

That gave me hope, Kathleen said.

She also learned about a collaboration between MMRF and CURE Media Group called Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma, or MM4MM.

This collaboration promotes endurance events, undertaken by multiple myeloma patients, to places like Mount Fuji, Mount Kilimanjaro and Iceland. The treks raise money for research, as well as public awareness about the disease. A patient selected to participate in one of these exotic treks had to raise funds, but the trip itself was underwritten by Celgene, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Summit.

Mike was interested and applied in November 2018 for a spot on a team going to Patagonia. He was interviewed and accepted on condition of raising $10,000 for MMRF research. He suggested that Kathleen accompany him, and they eventually raised $30,000 through social media and by asking friends, family and neighbors.

The online MMRF page devoted to Mikes fundraising shows a photograph of him with his arms around Kathleen and their daughter, Mary, a Class of 2020 NHS student.

In a letter featured on the page, Mike informs the reader that MMRF is one of the worlds leading private funders of myeloma research, with 10 new treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

In August 2019, Mike and Kathleen were flown to Oregon to meet their teammates and to get a taste of what was in store for them in Patagonia. According to the MM4MM website: Each team is carefully selected, representing a microcosm of the myeloma community patients, caregivers, health care professionals and clinical trials managers, as well as representatives from our pharma partners, from CURE Magazine and the MMRF to emphasize the collaboration necessary to drive toward cures.

The foundation sent the group to Mount Hood, Mike said. It was the first time we met. What a great group of people. There were around 15 from all over the country, and there was one other couple, but no one else from New Jersey.

Four other multiple myeloma patients were in the group, he said. he team climbed for nine hours and then headed home.

To prepare for the trip to Patagonia, a region containing part of the Andes mountain range, Mike and Kathleen began a regime of long walks. For instance, theyd walk from Nutley to South Orange and went hiking in New Yorks Harriman State Park.

The MMRF website described the journey as one of arduous adventure: This team will traverse Patagonia crossing over glaciers, through deep valleys, and ascending challenging peaks. This is a powerful and life-changing experience, as the team overcomes challenges, pushes beyond perceived limits and honors loved ones and friends living with multiple myeloma.

For the trek, the team flew to El Calafate, Argentina. As the team embarked on different climbs, documentary filmmakers accompanied them.

The hiking was physically difficult, Mike said. We hiked in rain and incredible winds. In one particular hike, as soon as you felt the winds, you hit the ground. I was surprised nobody got hurt. Some of those slopes were pretty steep. But the scenery was unworldly, and there were condors.

Both Mike and Kathleen agreed that the most memorable sight was La Condorera, which their itinerary described as a nearly vertical massif, offering a home to one of the greatest concentrations of endangered condors in the world. A massif is a group of mountains standing apart from other mountains.

It was a difficult hike, Kathleen said. Youre ready to pass out getting to the top. But its so worth it. The panorama is a view of glaciers and condors. It was spectacular.

Mike and Kathleen returned home on Nov. 16, but there were no goodbyes at the airport. The team had grown so incredibly close that everyone felt they would be seeing each other again, a feeling grounded in the knowledge that multiple myeloma can be challenged and hopefully, one day, defeated.

Our goal in all of this is that you can have multiple myeloma and still do incredible things, Kathleen said.

Its an incentive to other patients to get out there and enjoy their lives, Mike said. And find a cure for multiple myeloma. I have a little bias. I have it.

FEATURED, MOBILE

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Fighting cancer with every step to Patagonia - Essex News Daily

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Fighting cancer with every step to Patagonia – Essex News Daily | February 2nd, 2020

Get Sample Copy Of[emailprotected]https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPHE100001334/

The Global Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the medical device industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global umbilical cord blood banking market with detailed market segmentation by product, application, end users, and geography. The global umbilical cord blood banking market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Some of the key players influencing the market are

The report also includes the profiles of key umbilical cord blood banking manufacturing companies along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. In addition, the report focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.

The report provides a detailed overview of the industry including both qualitative and quantitative information. It provides overview and forecast of the global umbilical cord blood banking market based on product, application, and end users. It also provides market size and forecast till 2025 for overall Umbilical cord blood banking market with respect to five major regions, namely; North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa (MEA) and South & Central America. The market by each region is later sub-segmented by respective countries and segments. The report covers analysis and forecast of 13 counties globally along with current trend and opportunities prevailing in the region.

North America holds the largest share for umbilical cord blood banking market. This largest share of the region can be attributed to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising awareness about importance of cord blood. However, Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the umbilical cord blood banking market over the forecast period. Although the region currently holds a nominal share in the global market, it offers enormous growth potential owing to vast improvement in health care reforms and increasing awareness of stem cell banking in selected countries of Asia Pacific, such as India, China, and Japan.

The report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South & Central America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the umbilical cord blood banking market in these regions.

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Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Market 2020 Global Analysis By CBR Systems, Inc., Cordlife., StemCyte India Therapeutics And Others - Dagoretti News

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Umbilical Cord Blood Banking Market 2020 Global Analysis By CBR Systems, Inc., Cordlife., StemCyte India Therapeutics And Others – Dagoretti News | January 31st, 2020

BOSTON, Jan. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aprea Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: APRE), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate mutant tumor suppressor protein p53, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for APR-246 in combination with azacitidine for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with a susceptible TP53 mutation.

MDS represents a spectrum of hematopoietic stem cell malignancies in which bone marrow fails to produce sufficient numbers of healthy blood cells. Approximately 30-40% of MDS patients progress to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein is thought to directly contribute to disease progression and a poor overall prognosis.

Breakthrough Therapy Designation further supports our development program for APR-246 in combination with azacitidine in MDS patients with a TP53 mutation, said Christian S. Schade, Chief Executive Officer of Aprea. Outcomes for MDS patients with a TP53 mutation are poor and there are no current therapeutic options specifically for these patients. We look forward to continued interaction with FDA regarding our ongoing Phase 3 clinical study and our clinical development program to advance APR-246.

The FDAs Breakthrough Therapy Designation is intended to expedite the development and review of a drug candidate that is planned to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition when preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints.

About p53 and APR-246

The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most frequently mutated gene in human cancer, occurring in approximately 50% of all human tumors. These mutations are often associated with resistance to anti-cancer drugs and poor overall survival, representing a major unmet medical need in the treatment of cancer.

APR-246 is a small molecule that has demonstrated reactivation of mutant and inactivated p53 protein by restoring wild-type p53 conformation and function and thereby induce programmed cell death in human cancer cells. Pre-clinical anti-tumor activity has been observed with APR-246 in a wide variety of solid and hematological cancers, including MDS, AML, and ovarian cancer, among others. Additionally, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anti-cancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anti-cancer drugs and immuno-oncology checkpoint inhibitors. In addition to pre-clinical testing, a Phase 1/2 clinical program with APR-246 has been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and both biological and confirmed clinical responses in hematological malignancies and solid tumors with mutations in the TP53 gene.

A pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of APR-246 and azacitidine for frontline treatment of TP53 mutant MDS is ongoing. APR-246 has received Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations from the FDA for MDS, and Orphan Drug designation from the EMA for MDS, AML and ovarian cancer.

About Aprea Therapeutics

Aprea Therapeutics Inc., (NASDAQ: APRE) is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with research facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics that reactivate the mutant tumor suppressor protein p53. The Companys lead product candidate is APR-246, a small molecule in clinical development for hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). For more information, please visit the company website at http://www.aprea.com.

The Company may use, and intends to use, its investor relations website at http://www.ir.aprea.com as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this press release includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, related to our clinical trials and regulatory submissions. We may, in some cases use terms such as predicts, believes, potential, continue, anticipates, estimates, expects, plans, intends, may, could, might, likely, will, should or other words that convey uncertainty of the future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of our management team that involve risks, potential changes in circumstances, assumptions, and uncertainties. Any or all of the forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong or be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including risks related to the success and timing of our clinical trials or other studies and the other risks set forth in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For all these reasons, actual results and developments could be materially different from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Corporate Contacts:

Scott M. CoianteSr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer617-463-9385

Gregory A. KorbelVice President of Business Development617-463-9385

Source: Aprea Therapeutics, Inc.

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Aprea Therapeutics Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for APR-246 in Combination with Azacitidine for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Aprea Therapeutics Receives FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for APR-246 in Combination with Azacitidine for the Treatment of Myelodysplastic… | January 30th, 2020

The report helps players and investors to stay in a competent position in the global Cell Transplant market as they gain insights into the market competition, leading segments, top regions, and other vital subjects.

The report on the global Cell Transplant market is just the resource that players need to strengthen their overall growth and establish a strong position in their business. It is a compilation of detailed, accurate research studies that provide in-depth analysis on critical subjects of the global Cell Transplant market such as consumption, revenue, sales, production, trends, opportunities, geographic expansion, competition, segmentation, growth drivers, and challenges.

Get the Sample of this [emailprotected]https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1495010/global-cell-transplant-market

As part of geographic analysis of the global Cell Transplant market, the report digs deep into the growth of key regions and countries, including but not limited to North America, the US, Europe, the UK, Germany, France, Asia Pacific, China, and the MEA. All of the geographies are comprehensively studied on the basis of share, consumption, production, future growth potential, CAGR, and many other parameters.

Market Segments Covered:

The key players covered in this studyRegen BiopharmaGlobal Cord Blood CorporationCBR SystemsEscape TherapeuticsCryo-SaveLonza GroupPluristem TherapeuticsStemedica Cell Technology

Market segment by Type, the product can be split intoPeripheral Blood Stem Cells Transplant (PBSCT)Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT)Cord Blood Transplant (CBT)

Market segment by Application, split intoHospitalsClinicsOthers

Regions Covered in the Global Cell Transplant Market:

The Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries and Egypt) North America (the United States, Mexico, and Canada) South America (Brazil etc.) Europe (Turkey, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) Asia-Pacific (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia)

Highlights of the Report Accurate market size and CAGR forecasts for the period 2019-2025 Identification and in-depth assessment of growth opportunities in key segments and regions Detailed company profiling of top players of the global Cell Transplant market Exhaustive research on innovation and other trends of the global Cell Transplant market Reliable industry value chain and supply chain analysis Comprehensive analysis of important growth drivers, restraints, challenges, and growth prospects

The scope of the Report:

The report offers a complete company profiling of leading players competing in the global Cell Transplant market with high focus on share, gross margin, net profit, sales, product portfolio, new applications, recent developments, and several other factors. It also throws light on the vendor landscape to help players become aware of future competitive changes in the global Cell Transplant market.

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Strategic Points Covered in TOC:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product scope, market risk, market overview, and market opportunities of the global Cell Transplant market

Chapter 2: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the global Cell Transplant market which consists of its revenue, sales, and price of the products

Chapter 3: Displaying the competitive nature among key manufacturers, with market share, revenue, and sales

Chapter 4: Presenting global Cell Transplant market by regions, market share and with revenue and sales for the projected period

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 : To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions

About Us:QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in consulting industry.

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Cell Transplant Market 2020 In Depth Research, Size, Trends and Forecast by 2026 | Regen Biopharma, Global Cord Blood Corporation, CBR Systems -...

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Cell Transplant Market 2020 In Depth Research, Size, Trends and Forecast by 2026 | Regen Biopharma, Global Cord Blood Corporation, CBR Systems -… | January 30th, 2020

A dad who saved the life of a cancer patient 6,600 miles away was flown around the world on a trip of a lifetime by his grateful recipient - who tracked him down.

Milton Becker, 69, was close to death and in desperate need of a bone marrow donor when a two-and-a-half year global search linked him with an anonymous Welsh man.

Emyr Williams, 54, was a near-perfect match, and his bone marrow was flown to Canada and given to Milton, who was declared cancer free.

The pair were linked up by the donation database and grew close via phone calls and Facebook messages.

And last year he invited retired carpenter Emyr to Canada for a two week body">

A dad who saved the life of a cancer patient 6,600 miles away was flown around the world on a trip of a lifetime by his grateful recipient - who tracked him down.

Milton Becker, 69, was close to death and in desperate need of a bone marrow donor when a two-and-a-half year global search linked him with an anonymous Welsh man.

Emyr Williams, 54, was a near-perfect match, and his bone marrow was flown to Canada and given to Milton, who was declared cancer free.

The pair were linked up by the donation database and grew close via phone calls and Facebook messages.

And last year he invited retired carpenter Emyr to Canada for a two week $15,000 (8,835) trip around Alberta and the Rocky Mountains.

Meeting him for the first time at the airport, wearing a Welsh dragon T-shirt and a Wales flag, they formed an instant bond.

Milton said he's "indebted" to his hero - and is planning a UK trip.

Dad-of-three Emyr, from Lampeter, Wales, said: "It was surreal to be out there.

"There's this bond between us like no other.

"It was only when we went out there that we really understood how close to death Milton was.

"One of his friends said he had been finalising plans to be at his funeral.

"He was literally on death's door.

"For something that required no real effort at all saved that great man's life.

"And to have the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh and to be introduced to his family was just an honour."

Granddad-of-two Milton, from Alberta, Canada, added: "We got on so well and I just thought I've got to thank this guy.

"I didn't want him to spend a penny. It was my treat.

"It's not about the money. What he did was priceless.

"I'm forever indebted to the guy."

Milton was diagnosed with stage 4 leukaemia in 2010 but after unsuccessful chemotherapy he was told a bone marrow transplant was the only means of survival.

Doctors searched across Canada but were unsuccessful and begun their two-and-a-half year worldwide search for a donor.

In early 2013, Emyr - who had been registered on the blood transfusion register for several years - was found to be a near-perfect match.

Emyr said: "A lady called me one day to say 'would you be interested in donating your stem cells?

"She went on to say there was a guy in Canada with leukaemia and that I was a 99.9999 per cent match with him.

"I just thought why not.

"It doesn't cost me anything and it can really change somebody's life."

The bone marrow was flown from Wales - with Milton receiving his long-awaited transfusion on his 63rd birthday, on 1st February 2013.

Former oil company lorry driver Milton said: "What he did was completely priceless.

"There's no better gift than the gift of life.

"And to get that on my birthday, well, it was a great feeling!"

A year after the transfusion Milton was told he was on the road to recovery but was kept in remission and monitored by doctors for the next two years.

In 2016, three years after the blood transfusion, Milton was deemed cancer-free.

It led nurses to ask Milton if he would like to know who his donor was - which he accepted straight away.

They got in touch with Emyr - who'd been given bi-annual anonymous updates - who agreed his details could be passed on.

Emyr said: "A few days later I had this call from an international number.

"I remember it as clear as day.

"He phoned me up and said; 'Emyr, my name is Milton and I just want to say how thankful I am'.

"From then on we just hit it off.

"What makes me laugh is he always forgets his Facebook password so he's a complete technophobe.

"We speak through his children on Facebook.

"We mostly speak about our family."

Milton said: "I couldn't turn up the chance to thank the guy who gave me life!

"I started off by thanking him and we had a great chat.

"I told him I would be forever grateful and wanted to keep in touch."

The two then added each other on Facebook and soon became good friends with weekly messages and monthly phone calls.

Then two years later Milton phoned Emyr to ask if he and his family would be interested in flying out to Canada for a two-week holiday.

Emyr said: "He asked me during one of our phone calls.

"I had never been to Canada and thought it would just be great to meet each other face-to-face."

Emyr flew out with his wife and teenage daughter last September 2019 to start the two-week itinerary around Alberta and the Rocky Mountains.

Emyr said: "He was there at the airport with a Welsh dragon on his T-shirt and a Welsh flag.

"You couldn't miss them.

"We have beautiful mountains here in Wales but Canada was just something else.

"It was an absolutely incredible trip.

"He paid for it all.

"We stayed in cabins, had a party with his extended family, we drank, sat by the open fire, and toasted marshmallows."

Milton added: "One Sunday I took him to my church.

"People knew he was coming and the service and to my surprise Emyr got up and told the church about the successful operation.

"There were tears but it was just beautiful."

Now seven years on from the transfusion, the pair say they are thankful to have one another in each other's lives.

The pair still keep regular contact with one another, with Facebook messages, fortnightly phone calls and even FaceTimed each other on Christmas Day.

Emyr said: "They're planning on coming to Wales next year in June or July.

"We'll definitely go back out there again in a few years.

"Even though we're thousands of miles away, we're such great friends."

Milton said: "We still have our chit-chats and I'd love to go over to the UK.

5,000 (8,835) trip around Alberta and the Rocky Mountains.

Meeting him for the first time at the airport, wearing a Welsh dragon T-shirt and a Wales flag, they formed an instant bond.

Milton said he's "indebted" to his hero - and is planning a UK trip.

Dad-of-three Emyr, from Lampeter, Wales, said: "It was surreal to be out there.

"There's this bond between us like no other.

"It was only when we went out there that we really understood how close to death Milton was.

"One of his friends said he had been finalising plans to be at his funeral.

"He was literally on death's door.

"For something that required no real effort at all saved that great man's life.

"And to have the pleasure of meeting him in the flesh and to be introduced to his family was just an honour."

Granddad-of-two Milton, from Alberta, Canada, added: "We got on so well and I just thought I've got to thank this guy.

"I didn't want him to spend a penny. It was my treat.

"It's not about the money. What he did was priceless.

"I'm forever indebted to the guy."

Milton was diagnosed with stage 4 leukaemia in 2010 but after unsuccessful chemotherapy he was told a bone marrow transplant was the only means of survival.

Doctors searched across Canada but were unsuccessful and begun their two-and-a-half year worldwide search for a donor.

In early 2013, Emyr - who had been registered on the blood transfusion register for several years - was found to be a near-perfect match.

Emyr said: "A lady called me one day to say 'would you be interested in donating your stem cells?

"She went on to say there was a guy in Canada with leukaemia and that I was a 99.9999 per cent match with him.

"I just thought why not.

"It doesn't cost me anything and it can really change somebody's life."

The bone marrow was flown from Wales - with Milton receiving his long-awaited transfusion on his 63rd birthday, on 1st February 2013.

Former oil company lorry driver Milton said: "What he did was completely priceless.

"There's no better gift than the gift of life.

"And to get that on my birthday, well, it was a great feeling!"

A year after the transfusion Milton was told he was on the road to recovery but was kept in remission and monitored by doctors for the next two years.

In 2016, three years after the blood transfusion, Milton was deemed cancer-free.

It led nurses to ask Milton if he would like to know who his donor was - which he accepted straight away.

They got in touch with Emyr - who'd been given bi-annual anonymous updates - who agreed his details could be passed on.

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Cancer patient flies dad who saved his life 6600 miles away around the world - Birmingham Live

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on Cancer patient flies dad who saved his life 6600 miles away around the world – Birmingham Live | January 30th, 2020

ANN ARBORConventional thinking is that bone regeneration is left to a small number of mighty cells called skeletal stem cells, which reside within larger groups of bone marrow stromal cells.

But new findings from the University of Michigan recasts that thinking.

In a recent study, Noriaki Ono, assistant professor at the U-M School of Dentistry, and colleagues report that mature bone marrow stromal cells metamorphosed to perform in ways similar to their bone-healing stem cell cousinsbut only after an injury.

Bone fracture is an emergency for humans and all vertebrates, so the sooner cells start the business of healing damaged boneand the more cells there are to do itthe better.

Our study shows that other cells besides skeletal stem cells can do this job as well, Ono said.

In the mouse study, inert Cxcl12 cells in bone marrow responded to post-injury cellular cues by converting into regenerative cells, much like skeletal stem cells. Normally, the main job of these Cxcl12-expressing cells, widely known as CAR cells, is to secrete cytokines, which help regulate neighboring blood cells. They were recruited for healing only after an injury.

The surprise in our study is that these cells essentially did nothing in terms of making bones, when bones grow longer, Ono said. Its only when bones are injured that these cells start rushing to repair the defect.

This is important because the remarkable regenerative potential of bones is generally attributed to rare skeletal stem cells, Ono says. These new findings raise the possibility that these mighty skeletal stem cells could be generated through the transformation of the more available mature stromal cells.

These mature stromal cells are malleable and readily available throughout life, and could potentially provide an excellent cellular source for bone and tissue regeneration, Ono says.

The study appears in the journal Nature Communications.

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After a bone injury, shape-shifting cells rush to the rescue - University of Michigan News

Bone Marrow Stem Cells Comments Off on After a bone injury, shape-shifting cells rush to the rescue – University of Michigan News | January 30th, 2020