Apr. 1, 2013 Researchers at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center have developed new guidelines to treat recently diagnosed multiple myeloma patients who are not participating in clinical trials. The guidelines give physicians practical, easy to follow recommendations for providing initial therapy, stem cell transplant and maintenance therapy. The guidelines are published in the current issue of the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings and represent a consensus opinion of hematologists at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center sites in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona. "Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects more than 20,000 people in the U.S. each year," says lead author Joseph Mikhael, M.D. a hematologist at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "Over the past decade we have made great progress in understanding the disease, developing drug therapies and increasing overall survival. However, as a medical community we haven't done as good a job at optimizing therapy based on a patient's individual risk factors." Dr. Mikhael says the new guidelines will help patients with low-risk disease avoid the harsh side effects of therapy and will reserve more intense therapy for patients with aggressive disease. Among the guidelines: Co-authors include David Dingli, M.D., Ph.D.; Vivek Roy, M.D.; Craig Reeder, M.D.; Francis Buadi, M.D.; Suzanne … Continue reading →

Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital has been offering stem cell therapy treatment since 2010. We are now proud to announce the addition of Dr. Spencer Silvers to our veterinarians certified to perform this innovative procedure. Chronic pain can lead to a significant decrease in your pets quality of life over time. Often, this pain can be managed through medications, dietary supplements, and/or physical therapy. However, in cases where these methods are not possible or the pet is unresponsive, stem cell therapy is a highly recommended alternative. Owners are looking for a different approach to helping ease their pets pain and Vet-Stem Cell therapy is a new answer for some animals. Vet-Stem Cell therapy is a procedure that uses an animals own stem cells to promote regeneration of new cells in the damaged tissue. It can be used in cases of arthritis in the knee, hip, and elbow. It can also be used in repairing partial ligament tears or to strengthen surgical repair of complete ligament tears. The technology used in Vet-Stem Cell therapy has been commercially available since 2003. Eighty percent of dogs will have improvement after the Vet-Stem regenerative cells are implanted. Improvement can range from mild to dramatic. After Stem … Continue reading →

Stem cell therapy has been used by doctors since as early as the 16th century to heal damaged cells and/or tissue. In the past 10 years, modern medicine has again started using this process, instead of chemicals to treat illness and/or suppress it. A new stem cell facial therapy uses stem cells derived from sheeps placenta. The placenta and umbilical cord tissue cells are ethically harvested from sheep, post birth so there is absolutely no harm to animals. The pluripotent stem cells are extremely nutrient-rich, and very similar to embryonic stem cells. This means that they have the ability to repair every type of cell in the body. When applied in sufficient concentrations, large numbers of bio-active stem cells immediately de-age the skin by stimulating the dermal layer to produce increased levels of collagen and elastic fibers. This can be described as skin food that provides cellular renewal, reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin. Its a new skin rejuvenation treatment that produces results comparable to those derived from skin-rejuvenating lasers but without the extended recovery period or steep cost. The treatment is delivered via a device called the Eclipse micropen. This automated microneedling instrument vertically penetrates the outer layer of … Continue reading →

MANILA, Philippines --- House leaders said yesterday there is no need to pass a measure that would regulate the practice of stem cell and cell-based therapy in the country, citing that the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government units (LGUs) are working hand-in-hand to keep an eye on public health safety. Assistant Majority Leader and Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna expressed confidence that the DOH could handle the situation after the health agency is readying to launch a crackdown on spas and salons offering the therapy. "I believe that the DOH and the local government units are competent and have sufficient authority to curb down the illegal medical practice," Tugna said. Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones, vice chairperson of the committee on science and technology, expressed concern that it would only be a bane for the medical industry to have the stem cell treatments regulated. "Legislating regulations for stem cell treatments would hinder innovation in the practice of medicine," he said. Just like Tugna, Palmones expressed strong belief that "DOH has enough powers to regulate it." Under its new guidelines, the DOH shall order the closure of salons and spas offering stem-cell therapy. The … Continue reading →

Over the 30 years of its the bone marrow/stem cell transplantation program, researchers at University of Nebraska Medical Center and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have forged strong partnerships with researchers around the world. As a result, many patients come from all over the U.S. and world to see medical center experts. One example of how research plays a critical role in advancing treatment and care of patients is a recent study that shed new light on T-cell lymphoma. We dont see a lot of cases of this rare kind of lymphoma, so our partnership with others around the world is one way everyone can share to advance our knowledge and help patients, said Julie Vose, M.D., chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology. T-cell lymphoma is more common in other parts of the world. Its very important that we have the resources and expertise to be able to do these types of studies. There has not been adequate information on it. Several different clinical trials for T-cell lymphoma currently are ongoing. Dr. Vose, also a physician on staff at The Nebraska Medical Center, was involved in an international study that looked at 1,300 cases of T-cell lymphoma to … Continue reading →

By Tina G. Santos Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, PhilippinesStem cell therapy at spa centers and salons? Watch out, government agents are coming. Health Secretary Enrique Ona says no clinic or hospital in the Philippines can offer stem cell therapy without accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH). Speaking to reporters last week, Ona noted that while many centers are advertising stem cell therapy treatment, none of them have the approval of the health department. As of now we have not accredited any clinic or even hospital offering stem cell therapy yet, Ona said. Admitting that the DOH doesnt have the police power to close down erring health centers, Ona said the department would coordinate with other governmental agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local governments to prevent spas and salons from offering stem cell treatment. We will issue a warning for them to stop [doing stem cell therapy]. But if they continue despite warnings from us, thats when we will move to close them down, Ona said. Stem cell therapy and treatment, which are becoming popular here and abroad, are medical procedures that deal with ailments by replacing malignant cells with healthy cells. Only medical doctors … Continue reading →