Testing breast cancer cells for how closely they resemble stem cells could identify women with the most aggressive disease, a new study suggests. Researchers found that breast cancers with a similar pattern of gene activity to that of adult stem cells had a high chance of spreading to other parts of the body. Assessing a breast cancer's pattern of activity in these stem cell genes has the potential to identify women who might need intensive treatment to prevent their disease recurring or spreading, the researchers said. Adult stem cells are healthy cells within the body which have not specialised into any particular type, and so retain the ability to keep on dividing and replacing worn out cells in parts of the body such as the gut, skin or breast. A research team from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, King's College London and Cardiff University's European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute identified a set of 323 genes whose activity was turned up to high levels in normal breast stem cells in mice. The study is published today (Wednesday) in the journal Breast Cancer Research, and was funded by a range of organisations including the Medical Research Council, The Institute of … Continue reading →

By Ashley Dunkak @AshleyDunkak CBS DETROIT Murray Howe, the head of the radiology department at ProMedica Toledo Hospital, understands the skepticism of those who question the stem cell treatment his father Gordie, also known as Mr. Hockey, received in December in Tijuana, Mexico. Gordies health had been slowly declining even before the stroke he suffered in late October, and he was essentially bedridden when Murray and his brother Marty took him to Mexico to participate in a clinical trial. They did not have high hopes he was so far gone, Murray recalled but after each step of the two-part process, Gordie improved rapidly, once again able to walk and talk, repossessed of his wit and humor. Murray and his siblings were floored. So were the therapists who had been working with Gordie after his stroke. Some physicians have scoffed at the idea of stem cells helping an individual who has had a stroke, but Murray a doctor himself says his fathers recovery after treatment opened his eyes to stem cells as a potential game-changer. Speaking as a medical professional, its so frustrating when you cant really do anything for a patient, said Howe, the head of the radiology department at … Continue reading →

Actor Noah Huntley's twin sister Echo was born with severe epilepsy Shortly before she died in 2010, she seemed to turn corner in her treatment Dracula Untold star's twin suddenly had a two-hour seizure and died Noah believes he holds 'connection between heaven and earth' with Echo By Alice Smellie for The Mail on Sunday Published: 17:03 EST, 7 March 2015 | Updated: 08:28 EST, 8 March 2015 Three weeks before Echo Huntley died, aged just 36, she and her twin brother, Hollywood star Noah, went for a walk in the Sussex village where they grew up. It was a beautiful day, remembers the actor, who shot to fame in the 1990s playing long-haired hunk Luke McAllister in ITVs Emmerdale, and recently appeared in the box office hit Dracula Untold. We had a cream tea and then wandered up to the 11th Century church. As early summer sunlight dappled through the trees on to the ancient graves, Noah idly asked Echo where shed like to be buried. He recalls: She said in her slightly dismissive way, Oh, I dont know. Maybe there, and pointed to a damp and shady corner of the churchyard. Noah asked Echo if she wouldnt want … Continue reading →

Last fall, the new South Carolina Medicaid director told lawmakers he needed $30 million to comply with a recent federal rule that requires states to cover autism therapy for children enrolled in the low-income health insurance program. But based on Gov. Nikki Haleys executive budget request, he may only get about half that much. Theres no way it will end up being enough, said Kim Thomas, president of the South Carolina Autism Society. But the new rule is still exciting, she said. The money will mainly pay for expensive, but effective treatment called Applied Behavior Analysis for thousands of children and teenagers in South Carolina who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Medicaid is finally realizing the value of ABA therapy, but its important to note that they didnt have a choice, Thomas said. This was a federal ruling. Christian Soura, who was appointed by Haley as the new Medicaid director in November, told state senators shortly after he accepted the job that his agency would need $8.7 million in state money for the new autism rule. That amount would allow his department to draw down about $21 million more from the federal government to fully fund the … Continue reading →