Illustration: John Spooner One of the joys for those who work in the health services area is bringing relief to patients from chronic conditions. And as the level of desperation rises, some patients will pay over the odds for treatment, pursing unproven options in the hope of some improvement in their condition. And where there is unmet demand, supply soon steps in to fill the gap. Last year, there was intense global media attention on stem cell treatments following a paralysed patient in Poland who walked after a cell transplant, a project involving Polish and UK researchers. Stem cells may well offer significant potential promise for patients in a range of treatments. But to date, much of that optimism has run well ahead of the reality. Advertisement Clinical trials to ensure the efficacy and safety of medical treatments is slow and laborious, taking several years, at the very least, to verify the merits of a treatment before then seeking approvals to offer the treatment to patients. But for those searching for a stem cell treatment in Australia, there is a loophole: a referral from your doctor is often all it takes to get access, even though there is scant proof … Continue reading →

DAVIS, CA (KOVR) - Researchers at UC Davis say they are one step closer to finding a cure for HIV in a breakthrough study for millions around the world living with the virus. At 60 years old, Paul Curtis looks like the picture of health. I exercise, eat well get a lot of rest, he said. But 30 years ago, Curtis was diagnosed as HIV-positive. Doctors told him he might have a year to live, but he's proven them wrong. With this disease, it's imperative that you take the medications consistently, Curtis said. He relies on medication daily. At one point he took more than 40 pills a day. And he can't miss a dose. The virus mutates rapidly when you miss doses, he said. He's one of millions worldwide waiting for a cure. Previous studies have come close, but none have proven to fight off the virus with stem cell therapy. Dr. Joe Anderson says he has developed genetically modified human stem cells, which have resisted infection in mice. When we infected the mice that had these HIV-resistant that had these HIV-resistant immune cells in them, we saw that HIV infection was blocked, he said. Original post: Stem cell … Continue reading →