Category Archives: Mesenchymal Stem Cells

May 3, 2013 An international group of leading stem cell researchers has issued a statement that specifies concerns about the development and use of unproven stem cell therapies. The commentary is published online today in The EMBO Journal ahead of a debate in the Italian parliament on whether to change a recent law that allows certain untested stem cell therapies to be used by the public health system. The authors of the commentary argue that rigorous clinical testing and regulation of stem cell therapies are essential to introduce safe and effective medical interventions for patients. "Stem cells may offer unprecedented opportunities to develop treatments for many diseases with unmet medical needs. This will take time. However, only rigorous science and responsible regulation can ensure the safe and effective translation of science into effective therapies," remarked Paolo Bianco, Pathologist, Stem Cell Biologist, Professor of Pathology at the University of Roma "La Sapienza" and one of the 13 authors of the commentary who come from Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands and the United States. The concerns of the scientific community have been heightened by pending legislative action that may allow routine administration of unproven stem cell therapies to patients in … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2v6lkd/cell_therapy) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Cell Therapy - Technologies, Markets and Companies" to their offering. This report describes and evaluates cell therapy technologies and methods, which have already started to play an important role in the practice of medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is replacing the old fashioned bone marrow transplants. Role of cells in drug discovery is also described. Cell therapy is bound to become a part of medical practice. Stem cells are discussed in detail in one chapter. Some light is thrown on the current controversy of embryonic sources of stem cells and comparison with adult sources. Other sources of stem cells such as the placenta, cord blood and fat removed by liposuction are also discussed. Stem cells can also be genetically modified prior to transplantation. Cell therapy technologies overlap with those of gene therapy, cancer vaccines, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Pharmaceutical applications of stem cells including those in drug discovery are also described. Various types of cells used, methods of preparation and culture, encapsulation and genetic engineering of cells are discussed. Sources of cells, both human and animal (xenotransplantation) are discussed. Methods of delivery … Continue reading →

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - May 1, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com) a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies announced that Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, VP of Research and Development, will present additional data from the primate study of the use of neuronal cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease at the 16th Annual Meeting of American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, May 15-18, 2013 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, UT. The results, including more detailed analysis of the safety and functional activity of the cells, will be presented orally at the following session: Session: Stem Cell Engineering and Therapy Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013 Time: 2:00 PM Room: Ballroom D Title: Cell Replacement Therapy for Parkinson's Disease with Neuronal Cells Derived from Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells In addition ISCO will present two posters detailing progress in our pre-clinical metabolic liver disease program and recent achievements with our "safe" iPS cells, induced pluripotent stem cells that do not rely on viral vectors for the genetic reprogramming. The posters will be presented on Thursday, May 16, 2013 between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm in Exhibit Hall C/D. About International Stem Cell … Continue reading →

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Cancer / Oncology Also Included In: Stem Cell Research;Biology / Biochemistry Article Date: 02 May 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for: Scientists Decode "Molecular Chatter" That Makes Cancer Cells Spread 4.5 (2 votes) 4 (2 votes) Principal investigator Russell Taichman, a professor at the University of Michigan (U-M) School of Dentistry in Ann Arbor, and colleagues, write about their discovery in the 30 April online issue of Nature Communications. It is becoming increasingly clear that cancer cells are wily, well-travelled adversaries that are capable of side-stepping the treatments we throw at them to try and stop them spreading. For instance, a recent study that produced a catalogue of the physical properties of cancer cells, found they are nimbler and more aggressive than healthy cells because they are better able to pass through small spaces, and they exert a greater force on their environment. Now Taichman and colleagues have discovered a set of molecular signals that causes them to go into overdrive and spread. For some time, scientists have known that tumors summon the body's healing cells, and this is a major reason cancer is difficult to treat. Think of a cancerous tumor as … Continue reading →

Tucson, Arizona (PRWEB) April 30, 2013 Save the Cord Foundation, a trusted non commercial resource for education and awareness of umbilical cord blood and cord tissue preservation, today announced it will expand its web information base to include the new industry-changing technologies that allow for the collection and storage of Dental Pulp Stem Cells, a type of multi-potent adult stem cell found in the pulp chamber of teeth, that show a strong potential to treat a variety of diseases. Save the Cord Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit (tax-exempt) foundation created to advance cord blood and cord tissue awareness, education, research and legislation. The foundations mission is to provide FREE, unbiased, factual information to expectant parents and the public concerning the medical value and life-saving benefits of saving umbilical cord blood and the future potential for using cord tissue as a regenerative medical resource. The foundation educates expectant parents about the medical value of their newborns cord blood, so they can make their own informed decision about the options for saving it; public donation, private banking or donation to research. Save the Cord Foundations vision is to make saving cord blood the standard of care for all newborns and cord blood … Continue reading →

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) April 30, 2013 Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of adult allogeneic stem cells and stem cell factors announced that the Company has been issued keystone Patent No. 8,420,394 titled Culturing Ectodermal Cells Under Reduced Oxygen Tension by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This patent broadly covers Stemedicas proprietary manufacturing process for enhancing the proliferation and differentiation potential of ectodermal cells of any origin. The ectodermal layer gives rise to the cells of the skin and nervous system. The patented process provides Stemedica exclusivity for expanding and manufacturing ischemia tolerant ectodermal cells under reduced oxygen tension. Nikolai Tankovich, MD, PhD, FASLMS, President and Chief Medical Officer of Stemedica noted, We are pleased that the USPTO recognizes the uniqueness of the technology and processes to manufacture ectodermal cell of any origin. This includes, but is not limited to: allogeneic and autologous adult, embryonic, parthenogenic and iPS sources of stem cells. When compared to stem cells expanded in normal oxygen, Stemedica cells exhibit superior migratory and engraftment properties, enhanced gap junction formation and a unique gene profile. These critical cell characteristics are the direct result of Stemedicas proprietary technology and expansion methodology. Alex Kharazi, … Continue reading →

COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (OSIR), the leading stem cell company focused on developing and marketing products to treat medical conditions in inflammatory, cardiovascular, orthopedic and wound healing markets, announced today that C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to present at the 12th Annual Needham Healthcare Conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. ET in New York City. A live webcast of the presentation may be accessed through the Investors page of the Companys website at http://www.Osiris.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for one week following the conference. About Osiris Therapeutics Osiris Therapeutics, Inc., is the leading stem cell company, having developed the worlds first approved stem cell drug, Prochymal. Osiris currently markets Grafix and Ovation for wound and tissue repair, and CartiformTM for cartilage repair. Osiris is a fully integrated company with capabilities in research, development, manufacturing and distribution of cell therapy products. Osiris has developed an extensive intellectual property portfolio to protect the company's technology, including 50 U.S. and 156 foreign patents. Osiris, Prochymal, Chondrogen, Grafix and Ovation are registered trademarks of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. More information can be found on the company's website, http://www.Osiris.com. (OSIR-G) Forward-Looking … Continue reading →

Dalton doctor uses stem cells to save foot from flesh-eating virus Dalton podiatrist Dr. Spence Misner used stem cell therapy to help regrow tissue on Bobby Rice's foot through a series of treatments every three to four weeks. Rice lost a large amount of skin, muscle, and blood vessels to a flesh-eating virus 18 months ago. Mesenchymal stem cells, or adult stem cells, are undifferentiated cells found in tissues or organs that can renew themselves and differentiate to yield some or all of the major specialized stem cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Scientists believe MSCs hold some of the greatest promise for wound-healing therapies, because they are so accessible and because they can grow into so many different kinds of cell types. MSCs are already embedded in some FDA-approved wound healing products as a part of a cellular repair matrix. Source: National Institutes of Health; Stem Cell Network; Osiris Therapeutics Inc. Bobby Rice had a choice to make: Lose his foot. Or take a risk and maybe lose his foot anyway. He took the chance. And that choice placed … Continue reading →

MS Stem Cell Therapy - Part 1 Over the last decade a Canadian team has been working on a ground breaking stem cell therapy their research has yet to be published, but the patients who hav... By: GlobalToronto … Continue reading →

The amazing trick that turns stem cells into cartilage! http://www.stemcellsarthritistreatment The tough job that stem cells have in treating arthritis. Hyaline cartilage- the tough cartilage that caps the ends of... By: Nathan Wei … Continue reading →