Results from a preliminary study indicate that among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with nonmyeloablative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (low intensity stem cell transplantation) was associated with improvement in measures of disability and quality of life, according to a study in the January 20 issue of JAMA. Fifty percent of patients with MS are unable to continue employment by 10 years from diagnosis or are unable to walk by 25 years. Despite an annual cost of approximately $47,000 per patient to treat MS, no therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been shown to significantly reverse neurological disability or improve quality of life, according to background information in the article. Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an immunemediated disorder of the central nervous system. Autologous (the use of one's own cells) hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a form of immune suppression but unlike standard immune-based drugs, autologous HSCT is designed to reset rather than suppress the immune system. Richard K. Burt, M.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, and colleagues studied the association of nonmyeloablative HSCT with neurological disability and other clinical outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (defined as … Continue reading →

An Airdrie man feels he has been duped out of thousands of dollars after receiving treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Lee Chuckry, who has been dealing with MS for almost 20 years, says his symptoms have worsened since he received experimental, stem-cell therapy in India in 2013 from Regenetek Research INC, a Winnipeg-based company led by CEO Doug Broeska. Its gotten much worse, said Chuckry of his condition, an autoimmune disorder that damages the insulating covers of nerve cells, leading to a wide range of symptoms and permanent neurological damage. Chuckry explained he was diagnosed with MS about 20 years ago and is now dependant on a motorized scooter to get around. The 47-year-old Airdrie man originally found Broeskas study online. I was hoping for something that would put the breaks on the disease, said Chuckry. Now, Chuckry is questioning Broeskas credentials as a medical researcher. I did do my due diligence before going to India, and I thought everything was on the up and up, said Chuckry. Chuckry explained since returning from India, where he spent $34,000 to receive the therapy, which consisted of widening the veins in his neck and injecting stem cells, he has experienced three MS … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise ALEXANDRIA, Va. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for the first time announced its cancer Advance of the Year: the transformation of treatment for the most common form of adult leukemia. Until now, many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have had few effective treatment options. Four newly approved therapies, however, are poised to dramatically improve the outlook for patients with the disease. Nearly 120,000 Americans are living with CLL, and approximately 90 percent are diagnosed over age 55.[1,2] The newly approved treatments for CLL include: - Two immunotherapy drugs for previously untreated CLL, obinutuzumab and ofatumumab (in combination with standard chemotherapy) - Two molecularly targeted drugs for treatment-resistant or relapsed CLL, ibrutinib and idelalisib These new therapies fill an enormous need for thousands of patients living with CLL, said Gregory Masters, MD, FACP, FASCO, ASCO expert and co-executive editor of the report. For many older patients, especially, these drugs essentially offer the first chance at effective treatment, since the side effects of earlier options were simply too toxic for many to handle. The Advance of the Year was announced as part of Clinical Cancer Advances 2015: ASCO's Annual Report on … Continue reading →

Stem Cell Therapy | Recent Strides Quell Stem Cell Debate Ethical concerns for stem cells for arthritis could be mute...maybe. Reports show that adult stem cells (Autologous) have been shown in recent studies to have significant effects on osteoarthritis... By: Nathan Wei … Continue reading →

Scientists are using stem cells extracted from abdominal fat Injections reduced leakage by up to 60 per cent Treatment involves taking fat from the tummy using liposuction Extracted stem cells from the fat are then injected into the patient By Roger Dobson for the Daily Mail Published: 18:37 EST, 19 January 2015 | Updated: 18:48 EST, 19 January 2015 Researchers are using injections of belly fat to treat incontinence in men following prostate surgery. Early research suggests the treatment - using stem cells extracted from abdominal fat - reduced leakage by up to 60 per cent, with results being seen within days of the injections. The scientists say the therapy may also work for female incontinence. Fat tissue, especially around the abdomen, has higher concentrations of stem cells compared with other sites Prostate surgery carries the risk of damaging nerves and muscles surrounding the gland, leading to complications such as impotence and incontinence. Around one in five men is thought to suffer mild long-term leakage following the removal of their prostate, while one in 20 suffers more serious problems. Stress incontinence is the most common type after surgery. Sufferers leak urine when they cough, laugh, sneeze or exercise, often because … Continue reading →