Hi Everyone!
I'm delighted to mention that Google has finally offered me the option of upgrading StemLife's Blog to Blogger beta version which I'm quite pleased about. The main feature which I was really after was the "label" and "tag" feature which allows me to categorize the entries. So if you are looking for something specific cited on stem cells, you can try clicking on the label which will call up any relevant articles.
I'm in the process of labelling, it might take me a bit to get it all done. So if all fails, use the search blog function available at the top of the page. :)
Friday, November 24, 2006
Concerns over Indian Cord Blood Bank Life Cell
I saw this blog entry which was pretty interesting. Essentially, the author describes the controversies of running a cord blood bank, even a "public-access" one, which create perceptions of charity or public responsibility, but may have its own consequences of ethics and points of controversy*.
I'll provide you with the start of the article and maybe you'll find it interesting enough to read the whole entry (which isn't long) and think through its perspectives... The first 3 lines were very provoking.
Cord blood banks are a lot like real ones. The more people participate, the better the value for everyone.
It's free to make a deposit, but withdrawals come with all kinds of fees.
US banks are pretty well regulated. The rest of the world has its colorful outliers.
People fear that India, which is coming into the cord banking world now with LifeCell, may not be too stringent on who gets to buy their blood -- and people may be dying to donate. Wired has the story:
Most experts agree that public cord-blood banking is a good idea. Stem cells from both cord blood and bone marrow treat many blood diseases, but cord blood is easier to obtain. Cord blood is also less likely to be rejected than bone marrow, which requires an exact match, usually from a family member. Similar to a blood bank, a cord-blood bank relies on donations to cover a broad range of immune types. The more donors, the more likely patients in need will find a match.
But in India, where female infanticide and body-organ sales are not uncommon, watchdog groups worry that a massive cord-blood bank like LifeCell's could create a dangerous demand for umbilical cords.
I believe that if good quality stem cell banking can be made available for a reasonable price, expectant parents would have no qualms about making the decision to store their babies's stem cells. Whilst greater popularity amongst investors should be a good thing, one of the challenges facing cord blood banks in many countries today is posed by ruthless competition, where price slashing may lead to a consequential cutting corners in a service which confuses the public and gives the entire industry a bad name.
At StemLife, we believe in providing value added services to our clients at an affordable cost and going the extra mile to make sure that the stem cell banking service is available to anyone who enquires. Our committment to our clients is that we care about their babies' stem cells and prudent management of the company with proven credibility also enables us to survive and excel in this new but exciting industry.
*Private banks are often accused of making parents feel bad for not banking their babies' cord blood stem cells, but forget that public banks are faced with difficult choices too in order to meet their respective targets.
I'll provide you with the start of the article and maybe you'll find it interesting enough to read the whole entry (which isn't long) and think through its perspectives... The first 3 lines were very provoking.
Cord blood banks are a lot like real ones. The more people participate, the better the value for everyone.
It's free to make a deposit, but withdrawals come with all kinds of fees.
US banks are pretty well regulated. The rest of the world has its colorful outliers.
People fear that India, which is coming into the cord banking world now with LifeCell, may not be too stringent on who gets to buy their blood -- and people may be dying to donate. Wired has the story:
Most experts agree that public cord-blood banking is a good idea. Stem cells from both cord blood and bone marrow treat many blood diseases, but cord blood is easier to obtain. Cord blood is also less likely to be rejected than bone marrow, which requires an exact match, usually from a family member. Similar to a blood bank, a cord-blood bank relies on donations to cover a broad range of immune types. The more donors, the more likely patients in need will find a match.
But in India, where female infanticide and body-organ sales are not uncommon, watchdog groups worry that a massive cord-blood bank like LifeCell's could create a dangerous demand for umbilical cords.
I believe that if good quality stem cell banking can be made available for a reasonable price, expectant parents would have no qualms about making the decision to store their babies's stem cells. Whilst greater popularity amongst investors should be a good thing, one of the challenges facing cord blood banks in many countries today is posed by ruthless competition, where price slashing may lead to a consequential cutting corners in a service which confuses the public and gives the entire industry a bad name.
At StemLife, we believe in providing value added services to our clients at an affordable cost and going the extra mile to make sure that the stem cell banking service is available to anyone who enquires. Our committment to our clients is that we care about their babies' stem cells and prudent management of the company with proven credibility also enables us to survive and excel in this new but exciting industry.
*Private banks are often accused of making parents feel bad for not banking their babies' cord blood stem cells, but forget that public banks are faced with difficult choices too in order to meet their respective targets.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Growing New Arteries - Brains, Legs and maybe even Erections
Its been known for a while now that cytokine stimulated stem cells typically used in bone marrow transplantation can be harnessed for vascular regeneration. This particular capacity has been demonstrated in the heart and also in diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). However, due to poor circulation in the area of interest, stem cells need to be "transplanted" from the source of stem cells to the site of the problem.
This latest article mentions the use of GCSF in the regeneration of blood vessels in patients with vascular disease. Citing the administration of this cytokine as a "new treatment", a farmer by the name of Tom Reynolds who was 77 years of age had poor circulation and leg pain. Concerned and afraid about possible gangene infection and limb amputation, Mr. Reynolds tried GCSF injections.
Administered by Dr. Arshed Quyyumi, a cardiologist, Mr. Reynolds has since experienced improved circulation and less pain.
Extracted from emedicine.com:
"Vascular disease may manifest acutely when thrombi, emboli, or acute trauma compromises perfusion. Thromboses are often of an atheromatous nature and occur in the lower extremities more frequently than in the upper extremities. Multiple factors predispose patients for thrombosis. These factors include sepsis, hypotension, low cardiac output, aneurysms, aortic dissection, bypass grafts, and underlying atherosclerotic narrowing of the arterial lumen.
Emboli, the most common cause of sudden ischemia, usually are of cardiac origin (80%); they also can originate from proximal atheroma, tumor, or foreign objects. Emboli tend to lodge at artery bifurcations or in areas where vessels abruptly narrow. The femoral artery bifurcation is the most common site (43%), followed by the iliac arteries (18%), the aorta (15%), and the popliteal arteries (15%)."
I learned from a renown urologist in Malaysia that erectile dysfunction is one of the most common indicators of heart disease and vessel occlusion (small vessel involvement). Diabetics often are unable to enjoy intimacies because of this physical obstruction in blood vessels. I wonder if the doctors will follow up on other aspects of Mr. Reynold's quality of life...? :) That would be an interesting anecdote indeed.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Another Cord Blood Stem Cell Application: McGuckin's Hope for Livers
Recent news from the UK has led me to think that stem cell research is beginning to yield some fruits. Prof. Colin McGuckin (blogged about him here) and Dr. Nico Forraz have been able to generate small sections of liver-like cells from cord blood derived stem cells.
Though the cells are not in sufficient quantities to provide tissue for organ replacement now (apparently penny-like sizes), the doctors have set up a company called Conostem which plans to market the cells to pharmaceutical companies for drug testing. The aim is to permit the application of drugs to the cells in order to assess toxicity to liver cells prior to human trials (animal cells may behave differently to pharmaceuticals than human cells).
Interestingly, the cells are grown in a Nasa designed "microgravity bioreactor" which mimicks weightlessness which is said to aid in its creation. Their work has won a local business award but as it has not yet been published, many other scientists and doctors have voiced their opinions that it is still too early to consider it for therapeutic use which may be a decade away. Nonetheless, it may just be a matter of time and sufficient effort in understanding the cells and their behaviour when implanted into the context of the body.
I am wondering how long it took them to grow the penny-sized cells and how many cells they required as a seed culture. It must be expensive, if not the cytokines that are involved then the bioreactor can't be cheap to run. But, this is exciting news because it may open up the realm of tailored therapy for autologous cord blood stem cell use (for all those babies who may grow up to be drinkers*?!) if it becomes commercially applicable and affordable.
Compared to adult stem cell infusions which they are trying in London, this might still be an expensive proposition.
Note that until today, drug companies are purchasing excess human liver cells (from surgical procedures or biopsy) for diagnostic research and pharmaceutical testing. It doesn't happen in every country but generally where the healthcare rules are more relaxed and perhaps surgeons are drafted in to provide the tissue for clinical trials.
*It is estimated that up to 10% of the UK population have problems with their liver - most are linked to lifestyle factors, such as heavy drinking and obesity.
Though the cells are not in sufficient quantities to provide tissue for organ replacement now (apparently penny-like sizes), the doctors have set up a company called Conostem which plans to market the cells to pharmaceutical companies for drug testing. The aim is to permit the application of drugs to the cells in order to assess toxicity to liver cells prior to human trials (animal cells may behave differently to pharmaceuticals than human cells).
Interestingly, the cells are grown in a Nasa designed "microgravity bioreactor" which mimicks weightlessness which is said to aid in its creation. Their work has won a local business award but as it has not yet been published, many other scientists and doctors have voiced their opinions that it is still too early to consider it for therapeutic use which may be a decade away. Nonetheless, it may just be a matter of time and sufficient effort in understanding the cells and their behaviour when implanted into the context of the body.
I am wondering how long it took them to grow the penny-sized cells and how many cells they required as a seed culture. It must be expensive, if not the cytokines that are involved then the bioreactor can't be cheap to run. But, this is exciting news because it may open up the realm of tailored therapy for autologous cord blood stem cell use (for all those babies who may grow up to be drinkers*?!) if it becomes commercially applicable and affordable.
Compared to adult stem cell infusions which they are trying in London, this might still be an expensive proposition.
Note that until today, drug companies are purchasing excess human liver cells (from surgical procedures or biopsy) for diagnostic research and pharmaceutical testing. It doesn't happen in every country but generally where the healthcare rules are more relaxed and perhaps surgeons are drafted in to provide the tissue for clinical trials.
*It is estimated that up to 10% of the UK population have problems with their liver - most are linked to lifestyle factors, such as heavy drinking and obesity.
Friday, November 03, 2006
STEM CELLS for Parkinson's Disease: Michael J Fox check out China
While Michael J Fox has been campaigning fervently in the US for the Democratic vote on the issue of embryonic stem cell research, out pops an article so perfectly timed that reveals the potential of NON-embryonic stem cells for Parkinson's disease.
HOSPITAL PROVIDES SURGICAL OPTION FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Apparently, a hospital -co-owned by a company known as the American Pacific Medical Group*- known as Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital located in Beijing is able to procure donor retinal stem cells from the Stem Cell Research Center at Beijing University for transplantation.
FIRST AMERICAN PATIENT OUT OF THIRTEEN
53 year-old Penny Thomas from Captain Cook (Big Island, Hawaii) suffered from Parkinson's disease for almost ten years. She had surgery on May 16 and had 3 million stem cells stereotactically implanted via a 12-inch needle into the center of her brain. The procedure performed by Dr. Xiaodi Han, costed her USD 26,000 (RM 98,800) and took one and a half hours. She had to stay in China for 2 months and seems to have recovered significantly from her previous symptoms.
"I TRIED MEDICATIONS. THEY WEREN'T WORKING FOR ME"
Her doctor, Dr. Cliff Arrington from Kealakekua, vouches for her progressive worsening tremors and encouraged her to explore treatment options available overseas. Her husband and 15 year-old daughter had to do almost everything for her including cutting up her food, getting dressed and showering.
She said: "Getting ready for bed would take almost an hour every night. I tried everything holistically possible and finally went to different doctors. I tried medications. They weren't working for me."
The hospital's vice-president Sherwood Yang released a statement to say that although stem cell treatment is unable to eliminate all symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Penny Thomas' shaking is reportedly reduced, has significantly less muscle tension, increased strength and no freeze-ups. Since then she reports regularly to the hospital and is slowly reducing her medication under the guidance of the Chinese neurological team and Dr. Arrington. She is supposed to have a follow up check up in May next year to see what has happened to the implanted stem cells.
Due to the reduction in medication, her tremors returned but the doctors seem optimistic that the stem cells will do their work. I'm not sure what medication she is on but if its able to put her back on the track of normal life without too much side effect, that might already be a boon to many Parkinson's sufferers out there.
About 6 years ago, I met my friend's grandmother residing in Sydney who had Parkinson's. She would shake in waves so much that she couldn't get out of her wheelchair nor hug her grandson properly. It was my first time meeting a Parkinson's patient and it affected me greatly.
It has been postulated that stem cells obtained from the retina may be able to transform into brain cells, but although several surgical procedures have been conducted, I have yet to see the follow up articles reporting their recovery rates and long term success. I await the final verdict on the engraftment of the stem cells next May and hope that the program may shed some light on how this condition may be treated. But in the meantime, maybe MJ Fox might want to take a closer look.
*The American Pacific Medical Group may sound like an American company but is really one which was set up in 1992 by a group of 35 enterprising doctors who were trained in the US. You can read about them on their website here.
HOSPITAL PROVIDES SURGICAL OPTION FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE
Apparently, a hospital -co-owned by a company known as the American Pacific Medical Group*- known as Tiantan Puhua Neurosurgical Hospital located in Beijing is able to procure donor retinal stem cells from the Stem Cell Research Center at Beijing University for transplantation.
FIRST AMERICAN PATIENT OUT OF THIRTEEN
53 year-old Penny Thomas from Captain Cook (Big Island, Hawaii) suffered from Parkinson's disease for almost ten years. She had surgery on May 16 and had 3 million stem cells stereotactically implanted via a 12-inch needle into the center of her brain. The procedure performed by Dr. Xiaodi Han, costed her USD 26,000 (RM 98,800) and took one and a half hours. She had to stay in China for 2 months and seems to have recovered significantly from her previous symptoms.
"I TRIED MEDICATIONS. THEY WEREN'T WORKING FOR ME"
Her doctor, Dr. Cliff Arrington from Kealakekua, vouches for her progressive worsening tremors and encouraged her to explore treatment options available overseas. Her husband and 15 year-old daughter had to do almost everything for her including cutting up her food, getting dressed and showering.
She said: "Getting ready for bed would take almost an hour every night. I tried everything holistically possible and finally went to different doctors. I tried medications. They weren't working for me."
The hospital's vice-president Sherwood Yang released a statement to say that although stem cell treatment is unable to eliminate all symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Penny Thomas' shaking is reportedly reduced, has significantly less muscle tension, increased strength and no freeze-ups. Since then she reports regularly to the hospital and is slowly reducing her medication under the guidance of the Chinese neurological team and Dr. Arrington. She is supposed to have a follow up check up in May next year to see what has happened to the implanted stem cells.
Due to the reduction in medication, her tremors returned but the doctors seem optimistic that the stem cells will do their work. I'm not sure what medication she is on but if its able to put her back on the track of normal life without too much side effect, that might already be a boon to many Parkinson's sufferers out there.
About 6 years ago, I met my friend's grandmother residing in Sydney who had Parkinson's. She would shake in waves so much that she couldn't get out of her wheelchair nor hug her grandson properly. It was my first time meeting a Parkinson's patient and it affected me greatly.
It has been postulated that stem cells obtained from the retina may be able to transform into brain cells, but although several surgical procedures have been conducted, I have yet to see the follow up articles reporting their recovery rates and long term success. I await the final verdict on the engraftment of the stem cells next May and hope that the program may shed some light on how this condition may be treated. But in the meantime, maybe MJ Fox might want to take a closer look.
*The American Pacific Medical Group may sound like an American company but is really one which was set up in 1992 by a group of 35 enterprising doctors who were trained in the US. You can read about them on their website here.
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