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Newswise January 13, 2015 New York, NY Peter S. Kim has been named the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor of Biochemistry at Stanford University School of Medicine. Established in 1994, Ludwig professorships have since been awarded to a total of 15 leading scientists at academic institutions affiliated with the six U.S.-based Ludwig Centers. With this appointment Kim also becomes a member of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford.

Kims lab focuses on the mechanisms by which viral membranes fuse with cell membranes, which has to happen for the virus to invade its target cell. His team also studies how that process might be disrupted by small molecules and antibodies. Kims lab is, for example, using such studies to engineer antigens for a vaccine that might elicit antibodies that block a key step in HIVs invasion of its target cell. The strategies that he is developing could be applied to design new preventive and therapeutic vaccines for cancers. His lab is also developing methods to identify small molecules that bind tightly and very specifically to proteins that have so far proved resistant to targeting by typical drug-like molecules.

Kim joined Stanford University in February 2014 after a ten-year tenure as president of Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc. During this time he oversaw the development and FDA approval of Gardasil, the worlds first vaccine against HPV, the causative agent of cervical cancer. Kim began his academic career as a professor in the biology department at MIT, where he ultimately served as associate head. During his 16 years at MIT Kim was also an investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and a member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

We are very happy, and fortunate, to have Peter Kim back here at Stanford, where he began his graduate training, said Irv Weissman, director of the Ludwig Center for Cancer Stem Cell Research and Medicine at Stanford. Peter brings with him rare experience and new strategies for developing preventive tools and therapiesincluding immunotherapiesfor viral infections that cause, allow and/or infect cancers. His goals are in line with our mission, and his approaches complement our own efforts to recruit the immune system to attack cancer cells.

Kim has received numerous awards for his research and holds leadership positions at several academic and scientific institutions. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He serves on the Scientific Review Board of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the External Scientific Advisory Board of the Harvard Program in Therapeutic Science, the Board of Scientific Governors of the Scripps Research Institute and the Scientific Advisory Working Group of the Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH.

Kim joins four other Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professors at Stanford: Lucy Shapiro, Irving Weissman, Sanjiv Sam Gambhir and Roeland Nusse.

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About Ludwig Cancer Research Ludwig Cancer Research is an international collaborative network of acclaimed scientists that has pioneered cancer discoveries for more than 40 years. Ludwig combines basic research with the ability to translate its discoveries and conduct clinical trials to accelerate the development of new cancer diagnostics and therapies. Since 1971, Ludwig has invested more than $2.5 billion in life-changing cancer research through the not-for-profit Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the six U.S.-based Ludwig Centers.

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Peter S. Kim Named the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor of Biochemistry at Stanford

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY: Quote) has entered into a clinical collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Co. (LLY: Quote) to explore combination regimens from its immuno-oncology portfolio with other mechanisms of action that may accelerate the development of new treatment options for patients.

As per the agreement terms, a phase 1/2 trial will evaluate Bristol-Myers Squibb's approved immunotherapy Opdivo in combination with Lilly's investigational Galunisertib as a potential treatment option for patients with advanced (metastatic and/or unresectable) glioblastoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Opdivo is approved by FDA for intravenous use for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma while Galunisertib is currently under investigation as an oral treatment for advanced/metastatic malignancies, including phase 2 evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), glioblastoma, and pancreatic cancer.

In other related news, Lilly has also entered into a collaboration agreement with Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK: Quote) to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Merck's KEYTRUDA in combination with Lilly compounds in multiple clinical trials.

Merck's KEYTRUDA was granted accelerated approval by FDA last September for unresectable or metastatic melanoma with disease progression following Ipilimumab and, if BRAF V600 mutation positive, a BRAF inhibitor.

BMY closed Tuesday's trading at $63.12, up 1.51%.

Celsus Therapeutics plc (CLTX: Quote) has completed enrollment in its phase II study evaluating the safety and efficacy of MRX-6 cream 2% in a pediatric population with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

The topline data from the trial are expected by end-February, 2015.

CLTX closed Tuesday's trading 10.39% higher at $5.95.

Cellular Dynamics International (ICEL: Quote) has entered into a research collaboration with privately-held Cord Blood Registry to reprogram newborn stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells.

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LLY Collaborates With BMY And MRK, CLTX On Watchlist, ZLTQ Continues To Grow

A pioneering bone marrow post-transplant specialist nurse is introduced in Tyneside - the first post of its kind outside London.

Leading blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan has introduced the role based at the Northern Centre for Cancer Care, at Newcastles Freeman Hospital.

Susan Paskar has been employed in the job, funded by Anthony Nolan, to support patients with leukaemia and other blood cancers who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants.

The 38-year-old will be patients dedicated point of contact at the hospital once they have been allowed to go home following their transplant and will be able to offer specialist support and advice.

Susan, who lives in Newcastle and has worked with bone marrow transplant patients at the Freeman Hospital for four years, said: I was very happy to take up this position as I saw that there was a need for more follow-up for patients they get a lot of support early on but we need to be able to continue to support them after their transplants so they can have the best possible quality of life.

I think the patients would tell you that this new role is a vital one. After their initial treatment comes to an end, patients will need long-term monitoring and they are often left with a lot of problems which may need further intervention, and many patients will need extra support to help them get used to the new normal.

Susan will also be able to refer patients to other services, such as dieticians, and to help them overcome any physical and psychological difficulties they experience after their transplant.

She added: It is a very rewarding job as you maintain your relationships with patients for a long time. You get to know your patients, and their families, really well.

Anthony Nolan is introducing three specialist nurse positions as part of its focus on improving quality of life for people after a transplant.

The first nurse, Hayley Leonard, has already taken up a position at The Royal Marsden in London. Susan took up her role in Newcastle in December and a third nurse will be recruited to work at Manchester Royal Infirmary and The Christie, in Manchester.

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Post-transplant specialist nurse is introduced in Newcastle Freeman Hospital

MIAMI (PRWEB) January 14, 2015

Citing fast-paced growth and the need for more space to accommodate its expanding operations, Global Stem Cells Group CEO Benito Novas has announced plans to move the organizations headquarters from Sunrise, Florida to the Miami Lakes Corporate Center. The new location more than doubles the space for the international stem cell and regenerative medicine company's corporate offices.

Since opening in 2012 under the Regenestem brand, Global Stem Cells Group and its six operating companies have grown exponentially, establishing partnerships with stem cell clinics, hospitals, researchers and physicians in the Philippines, South America and Europe.

The new Global Stem Cells Group facility provides state-of-the-art space for our entire team to drive innovation through our research and development initiatives, and support partnering activities with our biotechnology products and education programs, Novas says. We now have the space to continue the fast-paced growth of our companies and advance the development of new stem cell and regenerative medicine technologies that will benefit patients worldwide.

The new corporate headquarters, scheduled to open January 15, 2015, are located in the Miami Lakes Corporate Center, 14750 NW 77th Court, Suite 304 Miami Lakes, FL 33016.

For more information visit the Global Stem Cells website, email bnovas(at)regenestem(dot)com, or call 305-224-1858.

About the Global Stem Cells Group:

Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions.

With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.

Global Stem Cells Groups corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCGs six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.

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Global Stem Cells Group to Move Headquarters to Larger Miami Lakes Office Complex

Stem Cell Therapy: A cure for Diabetes | PlacidWay
http://tiny.cc/DiabetesCure2015 Diabetes treatment can consist of numerous elements, consisting of standard medications, alternative medication, and natural treatments. Alternative therapies...

By: Robert Esser

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Stem Cell Therapy: A cure for Diabetes | PlacidWay - Video

Stem cell technology representsone of the most fascinating and controversial medical advances of the past several decades. By now the enormous controversy which surrounded the use of federal funds to conduct scientific research on human stem cells during the George W. Bush administration has largely blown over. Five years have passed since President Obama lifted federal funding restrictions, and amazing progress has already been made in the field.

One can make a good case for stem cells being the most fascinating and versatile cells in the human body. This is precisely due to their stem role. In their most basic form, theyre capable of both replicating themselves an unlimited number of times and differentiating themselvesinto a huge number of other cell types. Muscle cells, brain cells, organ cells, and many others can all be created from stem cells. If youre interested, the NIH has an awesome introductionon stem cells on their website.

The question which has arisen since the discovery of thisamazing cell type has been how to harness their power and versatility. This is the primary focus of research today: how can we precisely control stem cells to perform whatever tasks we need them to do? Of course, other important issues, such as figuring out thebest places from which to harvest stem cells,exist.

Because of their role in the body, the number of potential applications for stem cells are truly stunning. From building custom cell clusters with 3D printers to curing a variety of diseases through bone marrow transplants, growingorgans for transplants, andeven growing edible meat, research is progressing at a frantic pace.

There are two particular areas of research which seem to hold the greatest promise at this point. The first is organs. Anyone who has ever been involved in an organ transplant knows how incredibly complex and difficult the process is. But difficulties like finding the right donor, preserving the organ, and finding enough supply to meet the incredible demand could all be overcome if we could simply use stem cells to grow a custom organ for each transplant from scratch.

Besides this perhaps science-fiction-sounding process of growing organs, theres also incredible excitement surrounding the potential of bone marrow transplants to cure diseases like HIVand Leukemia. This is done by implanting stem cells containing genetic mutations which confer immunity to a variety of diseases into a patients bone marrow, where they can begin naturally replicating and affecting the immune system.

Thisprocedurealso covers transplants designed simply to reintroduce healthy stem cells to help tackle a wider variety of ailments. Often, referred to as regenerative medicine as itinvolves stimulating the bodys preexisting repair mechanisms to help the healing process,thisprocedurealso offer great promise.

Naturally, the speed at which advances are being made in the field has led to problems as well. One recent well-publicized study which seemed to point to the possibility of achieving stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (essentially demonstrating a new type of stem cells) is now believedto have beenfraudulent.

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The Future of Stem Cells: Opportunities at the Cutting Edge of Science

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kn8svz/u_s_orthopedic) has announced the addition of the "U.S. Orthopedic Biomaterials Market - 2015 (Executive Summary)" report to their offering.

The fastest growing segments involve stem cells, namely the segments for stem cell bone grafts and concentrated bone marrow. The products within these markets offer the greatest regenerative potential for healing bone.

Orthopedic biomaterial products compete with products that are more established and less expensive. Thus, clinical evidence is often an important deciding factor for orthopedic biomaterials over conventional forms of therapy especially in regards to reimbursement. However, the promise seen in some products such as bone marrow concentrate generates growth despite a lack of clinical evidence and reimbursement.

Key Topics Covered:

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kn8svz/u_s_orthopedic

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Research and Markets: U.S. Orthopedic Biomaterials Market - 2015 Executive Summary

IMAGE:This is the cover for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. view more

Credit: World Scientific, 2015

In his latest book published by World Scientific, Professor David Warburton from The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California presents a collection of essays on the current state of the regenerative medicine and stem cell research field.

Entitled Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, this up-to-date compendium surveys current issues in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Topics range from key concepts in regenerative medicine to the newest progenitor cell therapies for organ systems, to advice on how to set up a pluripotent stem cell laboratory.

Overviews of the most recent progress in stem cell research describe work that is in the pre-clinical pipeline from scientists working at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles and colleagues around the world.

"The book addresses some of the big questions faced by researchers in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine," said Professor Warburton. "Those of us working in this field in California are positively impacted by the critical funding provided by the citizens of the state through the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. I believe this book shows that the hope behind CIRM - the hope that stem cells can really revolutionize medicine and human health - is fully justified."

A global collection of essays from collaborating investigators in Australia, Brazil, Iran, Taiwan and the United Kingdom, as well as across the United States. This book will describe diverse regenerative medicine solutions for airways, cancer, craniofacial structures, intestine, heart, kidney, liver, lung and nervous system. These advances are placed in the context of the overall field, providing an investigator-level overview which will be accessible to the educated scientific generalist as well as a college-educated readership, scientific writers, educators and professionals of all kinds.

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Professor Warburton's research is supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the National Institutes of Health: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Fogarty International Center, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, The Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Santa Anita Foundation, The Webb Foundation, The Garland Foundation and anonymous venture philanthropy.

The book retails for US$155/ 102 (hardcover). More information on the book can be found at http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/9212.

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Renowned professor's book addresses stem cell biology & regenerative medicine

IMAGE:BioResearch Open Access is a bimonthly peer-reviewed open access journal led by Editor-in-Chief Robert Lanza, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and Editor Jane Taylor, PhD. The Journal... view more

Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

New Rochelle, NY, January 12, 2014--A promising new therapeutic approach to treat a variety of diseases involves taking a patient's own cells, turning them into stem cells, and then deriving targeted cell types such as muscle or nerve cells to return to the patient to repair damaged tissues and organs. But the clinical effectiveness of these stem cells has only been modest, which may be due to the advanced age of the patients or the effects of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a probing Review article published in BioResearch Open Access, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers . The article is available on the BioResearch Open Access website.

Anastasia Yu. Efimenko, TN Kochegura, ZA Akopyan, and YV Parfyonova, Moscow State University (Russia), analyze how aging and chronic diseases might affect the regenerative potential of autologous stem cells and explain the differences between the promising results reported in preclinical studies using stem cells derived from healthy young donors and the more modest success of clinical studies in aged patients. The authors propose strategies to test for and enhance to regenerative properties and therapeutic potential of stem cells in the article "Autologous Stem Cell Therapy: How Aging and Chronic Diseases Affect Stem and Progenitor Cells".

"This review discusses a very important issue in regenerative medicine, how aging and chronic pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders affect adult stem/progenitor cells," says BioResearch Open Access Editor Jane Taylor, PhD, MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. "Future therapies are discussed by the authors in terms of overcoming or correcting the limitations of these cells in order to enhance their therapeutic potential."

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About the Journal

BioResearch Open Access is a bimonthly peer-reviewed open access journal led by Editor-in-Chief Robert Lanza, MD, Chief Scientific Officer, Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and Editor Jane Taylor, PhD. The Journal provides a new rapid-publication forum for a broad range of scientific topics including molecular and cellular biology, tissue engineering and biomaterials, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, stem cells, gene therapy, systems biology, genetics, biochemistry, virology, microbiology, and neuroscience. All articles are published within 4 weeks of acceptance and are fully open access and posted on PubMed Central. All journal content is available on the BioResearch Open Access website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many areas of science and biomedical research, including DNA and Cell Biology, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells and Development, Human Gene Therapy, HGT Methods, and HGT Clinical Development, and AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.

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Is stem cell therapy less effective in older patients with chronic diseases?

Proud new dad Jason Manford has shared his baby joy over the weekend after welcoming his fifth child into the world.

But the birth has also given the comic and his girlfriend Lucy the opportunity to save a life.

The couple decided to take the unusual step of donating the umbilical cord and placenta to the Anthony Nolan Trust after meeting its team at St Marys Hospital.

The charity helps people with blood cancers matching them with donors if they need a stem cell, bone marrow or cord blood transplant.

It runs an umbilical cord and placenta collection programme in eight hospitals across the country, including St Marys.

Specialists collect the umbilical cord and placenta from donors after the birth and, instead of throwing them away, extract blood from them.

Stem cells in cord blood are adaptable which makes finding matches for donors easier and, as they are stored in a bank, they are available straight away.

Its a fantastic scheme and Jason has done a great service by raising awareness of it. Wed encourage any expecting parents to follow in his footsteps and find out more.

To find out more, go to their website.

VIEW GALLERY

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MEN Comment: Join Jason Manford in donating to Anthony Nolan donor scheme

If youre between 17 and 35 years old, you may be able to save Chris LeBruns life.

LeBrun, 48, was diagnosed with leukemia last May. The accountant and father of two learned last fall that he needs a stem cell donation to beat the disease.

But the donor cant be just anyone. It has to be someone who is a match for the genetic markers in the proteins of LeBruns white blood cells.

That sounds complicated, but the test to find a genetic match is quite simple. Just by swiping the inside of the mouth with a cotton swab, enough cells are collected to determine whether a match has been found.

Donors between 17 and 35 are accepted, and males are preferred, as transplants from men tend to be more successful.

On Saturday in Bedford, 36 people joined the stem cell registry through Canadian Blood Services to try to help LeBrun and others with certain forms of cancer, bone marrow deficiency diseases, anemia and other immune system and metabolic disorders.

LeBrun lives in Cambridge, Ont., but has deep ties to Nova Scotia, says his longtime friend, Barb Leighton.

Leighton describes her friend as a community leader who volunteers tirelessly for causes that are important to him.

Hes very quiet, very humble, very modest, not at all for attention. Complete, pure altruism, she says.

It seems that LeBruns community spirit runs in the family. His great-uncle, Gerald LeBrun, was a well-regarded Bedford doctor who regularly made house calls long after that practice fell out of fashion. Saturdays stem cell clinic was held at the LeBrun Recreation Centre, which was named after the doctor.

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Bedford clinic seeks stem cell match for man with leukemia

The first bone marrow donors inspired by toddler Margot Martini have donated their stem cells.

Margot, who lost her battle with leukaemia last year after a worldwide search for a donor, inspired thousands of people in the UK to join the stem cell register.

The two-year-old's father, Yaser, has just learnt the donor drive has now flagged up its first two matches with people in need of bone marrow donation.

Mr Martini said: "The response to Margots donor appeal saw more than 35,000 people joined the UK register as potential stem cell donors. As a result, statistically this means that over the next 10 years, more than 500 people will now have the option of a potentially life saving bone marrow transplant.

"Delete Blood Cancer UK inform us that the first of the Team Margot registrants has actually donated their stem cells to a patient in need, which heralds Margots legacy.

"And it gets better: the second Team Margot donor is scheduled to give bone marrow later this month.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has registered and to all those who are encouraging just one more to do the same."

Margot's mother Vicki grew up in Essington and has family across Wolverhampton.

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Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents the second most frequent skin cancer with more than half million new patients affected every year in the world. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a population of cancer cells that have been described in many different cancers, including skin SCCs and that feed tumor growth, could be resistant to therapy thus being responsible for tumor relapse after therapy. However, still very little is known about the mechanisms that regulate CSCs functions.

In a new study published and making the cover of Cell Stem Cell, researchers led by Pr. Cdric Blanpain, MD/PhD, professor and WELBIO investigator at the IRIBHM, Universit libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, report the mechanisms regulating the different functions of Twist1 controlling skin tumour initiation, cancer stem cell function and tumor progression.

Benjamin Beck and colleagues used state of the art genetic mouse models to dissect, the functional role and molecular mechanisms by which Twist1 controls tumor initiation, cancer stem cell function and tumor progression. In collaboration with Dr Sandrine Rorive and Pr Isabelle Salmon from the department of Pathology at the Erasme Hospital, ULB and the group of Jean-Christophe Marine (VIB, KUL Leuven), they demonstrated that while Twist1 is not expressed in the normal skin, Twist1 deletion prevents skin cancer formation demonstrating the essential role of Twist1 during tumorigenesis. "It was really surprising to observe the essential role of Twist1 at the earliest step of tumor formation, as Twist1 was thought to stimulate tumor progression and metastasis" comments Benjamin Beck, the first author of this study.

The authors demonstrate that different levels of Twist1 are necessary for tumor initiation and progression. Low level of Twist1 is required for the initiation of benign tumors, while higher level of Twist1 is necessary for tumor progression. They also demonstrate that Twist1 is essential for tumor maintenance and the regulation of cancer stem cell function. The researchers also uncovered that the different functions of Twist1 are regulated by different molecular mechanisms, and identified a p53 independent role of Twist1 in regulating cancer stem cell functions.

In conclusion, this work shows that Twist1, a well-known regulator of tumor progression, is necessary for tumor initiation, regulation of cancer stem cell function and malignant progression. "It was really interesting to see that different levels of Twist1 are required to carry out these different tumor functions and that these different Twist1 functions are regulated by different molecular pathways. Given the diversity of cancers expressing Twist1, the identification of the different mechanisms controlled by Twist1 are likely to be relevant for other cancers" comments Cdric Blanpain, the last and corresponding author of this study.

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by Libre de Bruxelles, Universit. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Skin cancer: New mechanism involved in tumor initiation, growth and progression

LAWTON, Okla._A stem cell surgery procedure, not yet approved by the FDA, could give a local paralyzed veteran the use of his arms again.

Two years ago, retired Senior Airman Ted "TJ" Williams was left as a quadriplegic when his Humvee rolled over in a freak accident while on duty in Montana. He spent several weeks in a coma.

Now, he and his wife have found a surgery that may improve his physical abilities. They're dipping into their funds to pay for the procedure, since it's not covered by insurance, but they've set up a GoFundMe account to raise $7,500 to cover travel expenses out of the country to get the treatment.

Williams is able to move his left wrist and arm more, and has even gained more core control, thanks to therapy. But, he still needs his wife's help for simple tasks like getting dressed and using the restroom.

Williams sits next to his wife in his wheelchair and watches TV. Years ago, he would've been running outside, but one accident changed everything.

"I just remember leaving base and then waking up 2 or 3 weeks later, wondering where am I. I couldn't move anything. It was just shocking seeing my family around my bed. I was just like, Wow. What's going on,'" recalled Williams.

On November 29, 2012, Williams was on duty with his security forces team. He was in the back seat when his Humvee suddenly swerved to miss a herd of deer, rolling several times. He was ejected from the vehicle and was later found 60 feet away.

Williams was rushed to the hospital. When he woke up from the coma, doctors told him he had broken the vertebrae in his neck and lost function from the chest down.

"I was really upset and scared. Me and my wife are young. We haven't had children yet or anything. It scared me not knowing what the future was to hold," said Williams.

He was sent to a VA hospital in San Antonio for in-patient rehab. Once he was finished, he met a physical trainer in who specializes in exercises for those who are suffering from spinal cord and other neurological injuries, which was just what he needed.

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Quadriplegic veteran to receive stem cell treatments

Researchers at King's College London have identified a new mechanism by which skin damage triggers the formation of tumours, which could have important therapeutic implications for patients suffering with chronic ulcers or skin blistering diseases.

The study, published today in Nature Communications, highlights an innate sensing of bacteria by immune cells in the formation of skin tumours. This molecular process could tip the balance between normal wound repair and tumour formation in some patients, according to researchers.

Although an association between tissue damage, chronic inflammation and cancer is well established, little is known about the underlying cause. Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), for instance, is one of several rare inherited skin conditions associated with chronic wounding and increased risk of tumours.

However, this study - funded primarily by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Wellcome Trust - is the first to demonstrate that bacteria present on the skin can contribute to the development of skin tumours.

Researchers found that when mice with chronic skin inflammation are wounded they develop tumours at the wound site, with cells of the immune system required for this process to take place. They discovered that the underlying signalling mechanism involves a bacterial protein, flagellin, which is recognised by a receptor (Toll-like receptor 5) on the surface of the immune cells.

Although the direct relevance to human tumours is yet to be tested, researchers have shown that a protein called HMGB1 - found to be highly expressed in mice with chronic skin inflammation - is increased in human patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). The study found a reduction in HMGB1 levels in mice when the TLR-5 receptor was removed from immune cells. This raises the possibility of future treatments aimed at reducing levels of the flagellin bacterial protein on the skin surface, or targeting the TLR-5 receptor.

Professor Fiona Watt, lead author and Director of the Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine at King's College London, said: 'These findings have broad implications for various types of cancers and in particular for the treatment of tumours that arise in patients suffering from chronic ulcers or skin blistering diseases.

'In the context of chronic skin inflammation, the activity of a particular receptor in white blood cells, TLR-5, could tip the balance between normal wound repair and tumour formation.'

Professor Watt added: 'Our findings raise the possibility that the use of specific antibiotics targeting bacteria in wound-induced malignancies might present an interesting clinical avenue.'

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Bacteria could contribute to development of wound-induced skin cancer

Doctors, nurses and anesthesiologist's care for a horse that will be receiving stem cells to help repair a meniscal tear in the stifle at the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins. (Joe Amon, The Denver Post)

Stem-cell research by Colorado State University staffers using bone marrow from horses to heal joint injuries on the same animal is making strides, and researchers have great hope that the project will lead to human medical applications.

A team with CSU's Equine Orthopaedic Research Center reports that adding stem-cell therapy to traditional arthroscopic surgery on horses has significantly increased success rates.

Horses that had follow-up, stem-cell treatment were twice as likely to return to normal activity as those that did not, said David Frisbie, an associate professor of equine surgery with CSU and part of the research team.

"We've doubled it, conservatively," in treating cartilage damage in the knee, Frisbie said.

The team had results of its work published last year in the journal Veterinary Surgery.

Some lesions in the meniscus of horses that could not be treated by surgery have been successfully mended using stem cells alone.

"Western performance horses, reining and cutting horses, and barrel horses are very prone to meniscal injuries," Frisbie said.

Beyond meniscus damage, researchers also have focused on tendon lesions in the lower leg, which typically strike race horses.

Horses that suffered a tendon lesion had about a 66 percent chance of reinjury after surgery. Add stem-cell treatment and the reinjury rate drops to 21 percent, Frisbie said.

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CSU research on horse injuries, stem-cell recovery, may help humans

UC Irvine scientists studying the role of circadian rhythms in skin stem cells found that this clock plays a key role in coordinating daily metabolic cycles and cell division.

Their research, which appears Jan. 6 in Cell Reports, shows for the first time how the body's intrinsic day-night cycles protect and nurture stem cell differentiation. Furthermore, this work offers novel insights into a mechanism whereby an out of synch circadian clock can contribute to accelerated skin aging and cancers.

Bogi Andersen, professor of biological chemistry and medicine, and Enrico Gratton, professor of biomedical engineering, focused their efforts on the epidermis, the outermost protective layer of the skin that is maintained and healed by long-lived stem cells.

While the role of the circadian clock in processes such as sleep, feeding behavior and metabolism linked to feeding and fasting are well known, much less is known about whether the circadian clock also regulates stem cell function.

The researchers used novel two-photon excitation and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in Laboratory of Fluorescence Dynamics in UCI's Department of Biomedical Engineering to make sensitive and quantitative measurements of the metabolic state of single cells within the native microenvironment of living tissue.

They discovered that the circadian clock regulates one form of intermediary metabolism in these stem cells, referred to as oxidative phosphorylation. This type of metabolism creates oxygen radicals that can damage DNA and other components of the cell. In fact, one theory of aging posits that aging is caused by the accumulative damage from metabolism-generated oxygen radicals in stem cells.

The Andersen-Gratton study also revealed that the circadian clock within stem cells shifts the timing of cell division such that the stages of the cell division cycle that are most sensitive to DNA damage are avoided during times of maximum oxidative phosphorylation.

Other studies in animals have linked aging to disruption of circadian rhythms, and Andersen said that accelerated aging could be caused by asynchrony in the metabolism and cell proliferation cycles in stem cells.

"Our studies were conducted in mice, but the greater implication of the work relates to the fact that circadian disruption is very common in modern society, and one consequence of such disruption could be abnormal function of stem cells and accelerated aging," he said.

Andersen adds that it is possible that future studies could advance therapeutic insights from this research.

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Circadian rhythms regulate skin stem cell metabolism and expansion, study finds

Published 07 January 2015

Gamida Cell, a leader in cell therapy technologies and products for transplantation and adaptive immune therapy, announced that orphan drug designation has been granted by The US Department of Health and Human Services, The FDA Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) for the investigational medicinal product NiCord for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Hodgkin lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

The FDA orphan drug designation coincides with the positive opinion of the European Medicines Agency's (EMA's) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) regarding NiCord as a treatment for AML. Gamida Cell intends to file for NiCord orphan drug status with the EMA for other indications as well.

"Receipt of orphan drug status for NiCord in the US and Europe advances Gamida Cell's commercialization plans a major step further, as both afford significant advantages. We very much appreciate the positive feedback and support of the FDA and EMA and look forward to continuing what has been a very positive dialogue with these important agencies," said Gamida Cell president and CEO Dr. Yael Margolin.

The FDA and EMA grant an orphan drug designation to promote the development of products that demonstrate promise for the treatment of rare diseases or conditions. Orphan drug designation provides for various regulatory and economic benefits, including seven years of market exclusivity in the U.S. and 10 years in the EU.

NiCord is derived from a single cord blood unit which has been expanded in culture and enriched with stem cells using Gamida Cell's proprietary NAM technology.

It is currently being tested in a Phase I/II study as an investigational therapeutic treatment for hematological malignancies such as leukemia and lymphoma. In this study, NiCord is being used as the sole stem cell source.

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Gamida Cell's NiCord gets FDA and EMA orphan drug status

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries

SCI or Spinal cord injuries usually occur with a sudden & traumatic injury or blow to the spinal cord that dislocates or fractures the vertebrae. The damage of SCI begins at the point of impact when the displaced disc material,bone fragments, or ligaments either bruise or tear the spinal cord tissue. Most SCI injuries do not sever the spinal cord completely. The SCI is likely to cause minor compressions or fractures of the vertebrae, that crush and destroy the signal carriers called axons. Axons carry electric signals up and down our spinal cords and act as a messenger between our brains and the rest of our bodies. SCI generally cause damage to some,many, or in some cases all the axons.

Some SCI victims can accomplish a complete recovery. Others however,will be left with complete paralysis.SCI are classified in two categories, complete or incomplete. A complete SCI is indicated by the total lack of all sensory and motor functions below the area of injury. An incomplete SCI means that the patient has the ability to convey some messages to &/or from the brain but often in a limited capacity. Most People with incomplete SCI injuries can retain minor sensory and/or motor function below the point of injury. Those who survive SCI will most likely suffer for medical complications like bowel and bladder dysfunction and often have chronic pain. Partial SCI patients also have an increased susceptibility to heart & respiratory problems. Successful recovery usingstem cells to treatspinal cord Injuries depends largely on how well systematic failures and chronic conditions are handled day-to-day.

Cell Therapy for injured Spinal Cordsfocuses on regeneration of the connections between your brain and body that have been broken or severely hampered. Stem cellscan help regain motor functions and regain bowel and bladder dysfunction, regain loss of sensations, help minimize chronic pain,cramps and its associated depression. Conventional treatments for SCI today are focused mainly on providing rehabilitation and the prevention of secondary damage. Recent advancements in spinal cord cell treatments offer hope for thousands of victims around the world who are often left with little or no hope for recovery. Stemcell treatments for spinal cord injury can help support and promote the bodies natural regeneration cycle by stimulating the rapid repair of damaged cells and tissue. The regenerative treatmentgoes well beyond the traditional approach of symptomatic treatments and can help you improve and regain some of the previously lost or impaired physical functions. Cell death normally occurs when our cells are injured. These dead cells are surrounded by both damaged and healthy cells. Stem cells stimulate the healing of these injured cells via the secretion of cytokines and other cells such as NGF or nerve growth factors to trigger the body into self-healing mode.

Thai Medical offers a uniquespinal cordtreatment protocol usinga multi-pronged approach. First, adult stem cells are injected directly into the damaged areas of the spine via the accuracy and precision guidance of a CT-guided intra-spinal injection. The treatment is then supplemented even further with another injection using an LP or lumbar puncture and/or IV drip injections.

CT-guided intra-spinal stem cell treatments are considered the gold standard in the field of Stem Cell treatment for spinal cord injury and spinal injury stem cell research for Stem Cell Treatments in Thailand. The precision of CT guidance allows the neurosurgeon to precisely aim the stem cells inside the healthy spinal cord tissues directly adjacent to the injury and lesions. The CT-guided intra-spinal stem cell treatments avoids the requirements of open spine surgeries of yesteryear. CT-guided intra-spinal stem cell treatments also avoid the risks, pain and subsequent healing time associated with cell treatment for SCI (spinal cord injury.)

The objectives of the enrichedcell treatments for spinal cord injuries is to help repair the injured areas on the cellular level near the point of impacts and lesions. The resulting therapy will generally lead to improved quality of life and improved symptoms primarily in physical function,movements and abilities. The majority of patients who are accepted into the program have show dramatic improvements usually after the first or second treatments and continue to improve and regenerate 6 months to a year after treatment. The results are permanent barring new injuries.

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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries SCI Therapy

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) January 06, 2015

One million Americans experience acute myocardial infarctions, commonly known as a heart attack, each year and of those, approximately 300,000 to 500,000 individuals develop heart failure. A heart attack occurs when blood stops flowing properly to a part of the heart and the heart muscle is injured and can die because it is not receiving enough oxygen.

Cryo-Cell International has agreed to provide the Center with cord blood collections that have previously been donated to Cryo-Cell International by parents and designated for research use to advance regenerative medicine. These cord blood collections will allow the Centers scientists to continue to investigate the mechanisms whereby stem cells can be beneficial in limiting damage from heart attacks. A team at the Center, led by researcher and cardiology specialist, Robert J. Henning, M.D., has demonstrated in research animals that stem cells obtained from human umbilical cord blood can release a large number of biologically active growth factors and anti-inflammatory chemicals that can limit the substantial heart inflammation, cell injury and cell destruction that occurs with acute heart attacks, significantly reducing the effects of heart attacks, even when administered up to 24 hours after the heart attack.

We are making good progress in our studies thanks to the cord blood stem cells contributed by Cryo-Cell International, reports Henning.

Cryo-Cell International and others have demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood stem cells can be preserved for more than 20 years without loss of cell viability or potency. Consequently, parents who have the foresight to use cord blood banking services upon their babys birth can potentially use these cord blood stem cells years later to provide a regenerative treatment for a family member if an acute heart attack occurs. The Centers scientists hope to bring umbilical cord blood stem cell therapy to the treatment of patients who have experienced heart attacks within the next five years.

Heart disease is still the number one leading cause of death in the United States. We feel very fortunate that we can provide a valuable and consistent source of cord blood banked stem cells to the Center for Cardiovascular Research, said David Portnoy, Chairman and Co-CEO of Cryo-Cell International.

About Cryo-Cell International

Founded in 1989, Cryo-Cell International, Inc. is the world's first and most highly accredited private cord blood bank. More than 500,000 parents from 87 countries trust Cryo-Cell International to preserve their family members' stem cells. Cryo-Cell International's mission is to provide clients with state-of-the-art stem cell cryopreservation services and support the advancement of regenerative medicine. Cryo-Cell International operates in a facility that is FDA registered, cGMP-/cGTP-compliant and is licensed in all states requiring licensure. In addition to earning AABB accreditation for cord blood banking, Cryo-Cell International is also the first U.S. (for private use only) cord blood bank to receive FACT accreditation for voluntarily adhering to the most stringent cord blood quality standards set by any internationally recognized, independent accrediting organization. Cryo-Cell International is ISO 9001:2008 certified by BSI, an internationally recognized, quality assessment organization. Cryo-Cell International is a publicly traded company, OTCQB: CCEL. For more information, please visit http://www.Cryo-Cell.com.

About the University of South Florida Center for Cardiovascular Research

The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicines Cardiovascular Services Research Unit has been in existence for almost 20 years and evaluates pharmacotherapeutic agents and the latest treatment and devices for cardiovascular disease.

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Cord Blood Banking Leader, Cryo-Cell International, Continues to Support the Advancement of Regenerative Medicine