A possible cure for a debilitating disease. It strikes one in 500 African Americans. Many live day-to-day on heavy painkillers. Now a new take on an old treatment may put an end to their suffering. Dr. Damiano Rondelli, University of Illinois Hospital Hematologist: Its a social issue. Its not just a medical issue. The cost, the family involvement its a really big deal. It is sickle cell anemia, an inherited defect of the red blood cells. More rigid than normal round cells, the crescent or sickle-shaped cells get stuck in small vessels, blocked from delivering oxygen to organs, tissues and joints. Dr. Rondelli: Damage to lungs, kidneys, liver. The major symptom is pain. Beverly Means, mother: His hand and feet had swollen up, and I took him to the hospital and they were telling me he had sickle cell. Never heard of it in my life. But it was a disease that would take over Beverly Means life and the lives of two of her sons, Julius and Desmond. Julius Means, sickle cell patient: Some of my first memories having sickle cell, playing one day and the next day not being able to even walk. Diagnosed at eight-months-old, Julius has … Continue reading →

Public release date: 30-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Krista Conger kristac@stanford.edu 650-725-5371 Stanford University Medical Center STANFORD, Calif. - Tuberculosis is a devastating disease that kills nearly 2 million people worldwide each year. Although antibiotics exist that can ameliorate the symptoms, the courses of therapy last for months and don't completely eradicate the disease, which frequently recurs years or decades after the initial treatment. Now, in a classic case of bench-to-bedside research, scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a possible reason for the disease's resistance: The ability of the tuberculosis bacteria to infiltrate and settle down in a particular class of stem cell in the bone marrow. By doing so, the bacteria take advantage of the body's own mechanisms of self-renewal. "Cancer scientists have noted that self-renewing stem cells like these in the bone marrow have properties - such as natural drug resistance, infrequent division and a privileged immune status - that make them resistant to many types of treatment," said Dean Felsher, MD, PhD, professor of oncology and of pathology. "Now it turns out that this ancient organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, figured out a long time ago that, for the same reasons, these … Continue reading →

Jan. 30, 2013 Tuberculosis is a devastating disease that kills nearly 2 million people worldwide each year. Although antibiotics exist that can ameliorate the symptoms, the courses of therapy last for months and don't completely eradicate the disease, which frequently recurs years or decades after the initial treatment. Now, in a classic case of bench-to-bedside research, scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered a possible reason for the disease's resistance: The ability of the tuberculosis bacteria to infiltrate and settle down in a particular class of stem cell in the bone marrow. By doing so, the bacteria take advantage of the body's own mechanisms of self-renewal. "Cancer scientists have noted that self-renewing stem cells like these in the bone marrow have properties -- such as natural drug resistance, infrequent division and a privileged immune status -- that make them resistant to many types of treatment," said Dean Felsher, MD, PhD, professor of oncology and of pathology. "Now it turns out that this ancient organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, figured out a long time ago that, for the same reasons, these cells are ideal hosts to invade and in which to hide." Not only did the scientists find genetic material … Continue reading →

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nathan Newman, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist, Cosmetic Surgeon and innovator of the Stem Cell Lift, is on the cutting-edge of the revolutionary advancements in stem cell therapy. He is providing an array of new, safe and effective treatment options for many conditions, such as Lichen Sclerosus et atrophicus (LS). LS is an auto immune skin disease that attacks male and female genital area, and usually causes severe pain, burning and itching to the vagina and male genitals. Until the application of the Stem Cell Lift, there has been no known effective treatment, which would provide any long term relief to the debilitating symptoms of LS. http://www.stem-cell-lift.com The Stem Cell Lift is showing promising results in often providing immediate relief to patients suffering from LS. Dr. Newmans proprietary Stem Cell Lift delivers an enhanced amount of stem cells found in the patients own fat to the affected areas. The stem cells have the ability to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and repair damaged cells and tissue, thereby providing almost immediate relief to this devastating condition. Many women who have LS cant, or are afraid to have intercourse, as it is often too painful. Paula, a 34-year old female … Continue reading →

BERN, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The collaborative work of medical scientists and physicians across the globe has resulted in a major medical milestone: the world's 1 millionth blood stem cell transplant, a procedure that has become a proven and essential therapy for many patients battling blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as other critical diseases. The Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) announced the landmark achievement today. The WBMT--a nonprofit scientific organization whose mission is promoting excellence in stem cell transplantation, stem cell donation and cellular therapy--said the 1 millionth transplant occurred in late December 2012. The finding is based on data collected by WBMT international member organizations involved in blood stem cell transplantation, which were analyzed and verified by the WBMT. "One million transplants is a milestone that may surprise many people, because blood stem cell transplants were viewed as a rare procedure until the last decade or so," said Dietger Niederwieser, M.D., president of the WBMT and professor of medicine in the division of hematology and medical oncology at the University Hospital of Leipzig, Germany. "But important discoveries--and the vital cooperation of many scientists and physicians around the world--have dramatically improved … Continue reading →

Celltex had hoped to culture and bank cells with its partner RNL Bio, before the two became embroiled in legal action. Tyler Rudick US citizens who wanted to have stem cell treatments without travelling overseas may soon be able to get them south of the border. Celltex Therapeutics of Houston, Texas, ceased treating patients in the US last year following a warning from regulators. A 25 January email to Celltex customers indicates that Celltex will now follow in the footsteps of many other companies offering unproven stem cell therapies and send its patients abroad for treatmentbut no farther than Mexico. Celltex had been offering stem cell treatments for more than a year starting with Texas Governor Rick Perry in July 2011 when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wrote to the company on 24 September advising it that the stem cells it harvested and grew from customers were more than 'minimally manipulated' during Celltex's procedures. As such, the FDA regarded the cells as drugs, which would require the agency's approval to be used in treatments. The FDA also warned that Celltex had failed to address problems in its cell processing that the inspectors from the agency had identified in … Continue reading →