IMAGE:CDK6 is needed for leukemic stem cell activation (left). When CDK6 is absent, the LSC remains in a quiescent state and leukemia formation is prohibited (right). view more Credit: Angelika Berger / Vetmeduni Vienna Despite enormous progress in cancer therapy, many patients still relapse because their treatment addresses the symptoms of the disease rather than the cause, the so-called stem cells. Work in the group of Veronika Sexl at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna has given a tantalizing clue to a solution. In the current issue of Blood, the scientists report that the cell-cycle kinase CDK6 is required for activation of the stem cells responsible for causing leukemia. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are normally inactive, i.e. quiescent. When new blood cells are needed, for example to replace blood that has been lost, HSCs start to multiply and develop into mature blood cells. If the process is initiated at an inappropriate time, hematopoietic diseases such as leukemia may result and leukemic stem cells may develop. These represent a major challenge to leukemia therapy: they are quiescent and thus protected from elimination by the immune system and from treatment such as chemotherapy. Leukemic stem cells frequently cause relapse in cancer patients, … Continue reading →

A 28-year-old North Battleford man plans to head to Malaysia next month for a stem cell treatment he hopes will cure his debilitating liver disease. Kyle Allan is able to pay for the trip thanks to the success of a gofundme.com campaign, which rocketed past its $25,000 goal in just one week. As of Monday, he'd raised $61,425. "It was mind blowing," Allan said. His girlfriend, Valerie Blais, who set up the campaign, had no idea it would do so well and had even expected to do additional fundraising. "It's completely overwhelming. It shows so much love and support from people in our lives and the community," she said. When Allan was about three years old, he repeatedly contracted pneumonia and other infections, and was diagnosed with Common Variable Immunodefiency, for which no cure has been identified. He previously received an IV treatment once a month, which has now increased to once per day. Growing up, he was often tired and didn't have as much energy as other children, but as he got into his teens he improved. "I was pretty much a normal kid," he said. He became a welder and worked in Fort McMurray, then got his journeyman … Continue reading →

CALGARY They call it the miracle of stem cells and it was nothing less than a miracle says Marty Howe about his dad Gordies recovery. Ata press conference Tuesday in Calgary for the Gordie Howe C.A.R.E.S annual hockey Pro-AM, Marty Howe talked about how the stem cell treatment saved Gordie Howes life after suffering two strokes. He probably had a month to live the way he was going, he was deteriorating pretty fast. To have him now back and be able to relate to everybody really helps, Marty Howe said. The Howe family remains positive and believes Gordie might be able to travel again and attend events soon. Marty Howe said his dad is already planning to attend an event in Saskatoon next month. He can walk, hes got a sense of freedom now. He can play with the grand kids. He still needs to work with his speech, he cant sign yet but hopefully in the future he will be able to, Howe said. Its a joy to have him with us still. Its nothing more of a gift. Hes down in Texas with my sister and we have caregivers that have been coming in for the past two … Continue reading →

In a new study from Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham), researchers have used human pluripotent stem cells to generate new hair. The study represents the first step toward the development of a cell-based treatment for people with hair loss. In the United States alone, more than 40 million men and 21 million women are affected by hair loss. The research was published online in PLOS One yesterday. "We have developed a method using human pluripotent stem cells to create new cells capable of initiating human hair growth. The method is a marked improvement over current methods that rely on transplanting existing hair follicles from one part of the head to another," said Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., associate professor in the Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program at Sanford-Burnham. "Our stem cell method provides an unlimited source of cells from the patient for transplantation and isn't limited by the availability of existing hair follicles." The research team developed a protocol that coaxed human pluripotent stem cells to become dermal papilla cells. They are a unique population of cells that regulate hair-follicle formation and growth cycle. Human dermal papilla cells on their own are not suitable for hair transplants because they cannot be obtained … Continue reading →