Monthly Archives: July 2014

Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia.

Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19.

Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science.

Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix.

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''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.''

She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based more on the advice of medical professionals than the experiences outlined in social media, which was flush with success stories and often failed to reflect reality.

In December the country's main medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, released a guide for patients and doctors highlighting the risks associated with unproven stem cell treatments in Australia and overseas.

The councils chief executive Warwick Anderson said if patients were willing to participate in unproved procedures, they should sign up for a registered clinical trial.

There are more than 200 registered clinical trials underway around the world investigating the role stem cells may play in the various systems of the human body, including lung and kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, type 1 and 2 diabetes, prostate and liver cancer.

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Stem cell treatment warnings after Australian woman dies in Russia

Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia.

Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19.

Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science.

Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix.

Advertisement

''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.''

She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based more on the advice of medical professionals than the experiences outlined in social media, which was flush with success stories and often failed to reflect reality.

In December the country's main medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, released a guide for patients and doctors highlighting the risks associated with unproven stem cell treatments in Australia and overseas.

The councils chief executive Warwick Anderson said if patients were willing to participate in unproved procedures, they should sign up for a registered clinical trial.

There are more than 200 registered clinical trials underway around the world investigating the role stem cells may play in the various systems of the human body, including lung and kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, type 1 and 2 diabetes, prostate and liver cancer.

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Stem cell treatment warnings

The Hindu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Mayur Abhaya of LifeCell launch the public stem cell bank. Photo : M.Vedhan

Its a no brainer, said Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, when asked why shed decided to bank her umbilical cord blood after her baby was born. Its a simple but very precious gift we can give to our children. Medical progress is growing and will continue to grow. We already know how helpful stem cells extracted from cord blood can be; so it was very natural and easy for us to make that choice, she said.

Speaking at a press meet to launch a public stem cell banking venture by LifeCell, a stem cell bank, Ms. Bachchan lauded this initiative, saying it would have a large social impact and address the dearth of stem cells in the country.

Under this initiative, said Mayur Abhaya, CEO and managing director of LifeCell, parents will be encouraged to donate their cord blood after their baby is born. The blood will be collected, stem cells extracted and stored by LifeCell. A public cord blood inventory will be created and when needed, patients and their families can find a match in it, and the stem cells can be used, he said.

While the collection and storage will be free, the company plans to sell the stem cells to patients who need it. The sale costs will also help us store more cells, Mr. Abhaya said.

LifeCell plans to partner with at least 100 hospitals across the country and encourage donation. We intend to have an inventory of 10,000 units over the next three to five years. The idea is to have a diverse inventory so as to help more people, he said.

Cord blood is extremely rich in stem cells. These cells can be used be used to treat over 80 medical conditions including thalassemia and leukemia, LifeCell officials said, and research indicates it can be used for cerebral palsy, heart and brain conditions too. Of the 1 lakh units the company has stored, about 30 units have been released for transplants so far.

Globally, one million stem cell transplants have been performed and India too is catching up said Mr. Abhaya.

Last year, the Tamil Nadu government announced a grant of Rs. 9 crore to Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre for its public cord blood bank.

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Stem cell banking gets a star nod