Category Archives: Cell Therapy

Stem cell transplant was viable and effective in halting or reversing degenerative disc disease of the spine, a meta-analysis of animal studies showed, in a development expected to open up research in humans. Recent developments in stem cell research have made it possible to assess its effect on intervertebral disc (IVD) height, Mayo Clinic researchers reported in a scientific poster today at the 30th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine.

"This landmark study draws the conclusion in pre-clinical animal studies that stem cell therapy for disc degenerative disease might be a potentially effective treatment for the very common condition that affects people's quality of life and productivity," said the senior author, Wenchun Qu, MD, PhD, of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Dr. Qu said not only did disc height increase, but stem cell transplant also increased disc water content and improved appropriate gene expression. "These exciting developments place us in a position to prepare for translation of stem cell therapy for degenerative disc disease into clinical trials," he said.

The increase in disc height was due to restoration in the transplant group of the nucleus pulposus structure, which refers to the jelly-like substance in the disc, and an increased amount of water content, which is critical for the appropriate function of the disc as a cushion for the spinal column, the researchers concluded.

The researchers performed a literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO databases and also manually searched reference lists for original, randomized, controlled trials on animals that examined the association between IVD stem cell transplant and the change of disc height. Six studies met inclusion criteria. Differences between the studies necessitated the use of random-effects models to pool estimates of effect.

What they found was an over 23.6% increase in the disc height index in the transplant group compared with the placebo group (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.7-23.5; p<0.001). None of the 6 studies showed a decrease of the disc height index in the transplant group. Increases in the disc height index were statistically significant in all individual studies.

The authors commented that it is time to turn attention to the much-needed work of determining the safety, feasibility, efficacy of IVD stem cell transplant for humans.

"A hallmark of IVD degenerative disease is its poor self-repair capacity secondary to the loss of IVD cells. However, current available treatments fail to address the loss of cells and cellular functions. In fact, many invasive treatments further damage the disc, causing further degeneration in the diseased level or adjacent levels," said the lead study author Jason Dauffenbach, DO. "The goal of tissue engineering using stem cells is to restore the normal function and motion of the diseased human spine."

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The above story is based on materials provided by American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM). Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Stem cell transplant shows 'landmark' promise for treatment of degenerative disc disease

21.Spinal Cord Injury(T5-6) Treated by Stem Cell Therapy(Before)
Patient with T5-6 spinal cord injury: condition before treatment Before treatment, sensation remains only above the waist. Sweating remains only in the upper...

By: Cells Center China

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21.Spinal Cord Injury(T5-6) Treated by Stem Cell Therapy(Before) - Video

stem cell therapy treatment for Spastic Paraplegia by dr alok sharma, mumbai, india
improvement seen in just 5 days after stem cell therapy treatment for Spastic Paraplegia by dr alok sharma, mumbai, india. Stem Cell Therapy done date 7/1/20...

By: Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute

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stem cell therapy treatment for Spastic Paraplegia by dr alok sharma, mumbai, india - Video

The Sultan bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SAHC) announced Tuesday its intention to take stem cell transplantation to new heights by using the method to cure spinal cord injuries. The announcement was made by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, chairman of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation (SAAF), during the international spinal cord injury conference 2014, which kicked off at the SAHC headquarters on Tuesday. The theme of the conference, which ends on Thursday, is Toward a Better Quality of Life. The conference, first introduced in Australia and New Zealand, is being held for the first time in the Middle East. The technology, in collaboration with the US-based University of Miami, will revolutionize the scope of paralysis surgery in the Kingdom, making it a leader in the field. An accord on collaboration between the SAHC and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (MPCP), the first center in the US to receive approval from the supervisory board of the Food and Drug Administration for stem cell therapy, was also signed. Prince Khaled said that the transfer of this technology comes amid efforts to help families cope with the life-changing effects of spinal cord injuries. Prince Khaled said many people between the ages of 16 and 22 suffer such debilitating injuries. The MPCP works on several research and rehabilitation programs in the field of spinal cord and traumatic brain injury, he said. The transfer of this technology to the SAHC will make Saudi Arabia one of the first countries in the region to benefit from the revolutionary treatment of spinal cord injury through stem cell research. SAHC Executive President Abdullah Zarah said the conference would address the latest findings of modern science in the field of spinal cord injury and stem cell transplantation. Around 1,500 Saudis are afflicted with spinal cord injuries every year due to accidents. Rizman Hamid, a senior neurology lecturer at University College London, told Arab News that being afflicted with this type of injury is a lifelong condition. Such critical ailments require follow-up, with radiological investigation to optimize bladder function. Patients should undergo regular investigation as a means of detecting potential problems in the bladder, which can lead to kidney damage, he said. He added that another major problem resulting from spinal cord injuries, especially among women, is urinary incontinence, which has severe and adverse effects on patients. This condition can be cured through a procedure known as the transobtruator tape. This is a minimally invasive procedure that has good long-term results, he said. Firas Sirhan, director of the Center of Excellence for Telehealth and Assisted Living (CETAL) at Buckinghamshire New University in Middlesex, England, said that the use of technology and health care practice is becoming more visible in the treatment and management of spinal cord injuries. Telehealth represents an entirely new way of managing injury that does not easily fit within existing health care frameworks, he said. The use of the telehealth model has contributed to empowering patients to become more involved in the self-management of their condition. Telehealth could be an effective tool that contributes to allowing health care professionals, as well as patients, to recognize and identify any changes in medical conditions. He added that the center can assist in developing packages that combine tested clinical service models with assessed technology to present workable telehealth services based on specific needs.

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Stem cell technology to cure spinal cordv injuries introduced in KSA

Littleton, MA , MA (PRWEB) February 27, 2014

Provia Labs Store-A-Tooth, a Stem Cell Bank specializing in dental stem cell preservation, announces the appointment of Dr. Gerry Curatola, dentist, author and humanitarian best known for his clinical contributions in cosmetic dentistry and wellness, to their Advisory Board.

Dr. Curatola co-founded CS Bioscience Inc., a dental biotech company, and currently serves as its Chairman of the Board. The company performs research and development of pioneering natural therapeutics that promote oral health. In addition, Dr. Curatola is the founder of Rejuvenation Dentistry, a wellness-focused global network of dental practices, and the co-inventor and co-developer of REVITIN Oral Therapy. Dr. Curatola has private dental practices in both Manhattan and East Hampton, New York.

Following a lifelong model of humanitarian service, Dr. Curatola traveled to Andhra Pradesh, India at the invitation of Dr. Krishna Ajjarapu, founder of an orphanage and school in the region, to help establish a dental and medical clinic which will serve thousands of impoverished in this community. Closer to home, Dr. Curatola helped to establish the Pediatric Dental Fund of the Hamptons, a dental charity founded by local pediatrician, Dr. Gail Schoenfeld, which provides free dental care to needy children on Long Islands East End.

We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Curatola as part of our team, said Provia Labs CEO Howard Greenman. His passion for the integration of oral health with overall health and wellness is aligned perfectly with the value of banking stem cells from teeth that ultimately will be useful for a patients overall health. Greenman adds, Most importantly, Gerry is a great guy, has an infectious personality and is truly on a mission to improve patients health - globally.

Dr Curatola, best known as Dr. Gerry, is a Celebrity Dentist and has contributed to numerous TV and radio programs including The Dr. Oz Show, The Martha Stewart Show, ABC News, FOX News, NBC, CBS, and CNN. I am excited about being an advisor to a world-class team like the one at Provia Labs, says Dr. Curatola. The decision to store dental stem cells now is a very important consideration for parents and their children who would otherwise discard this tissue. The future use of these valuable cells, stored in a robust, youthful state, is made possible by Provia Labs. Every dentist should provide their patients with the information to make an informed decision about banking their childs stem cells.

About Provia Laboratories, LLC Provia Laboratories, LLC (http://www.provialabs.com) is a health services company specializing in high quality stem cell biobanking (the collection, transport, processing, and cryogenic storage of biological specimens). Its dental stem cell banking service, Store-A-ToothTM, gives parents the option to store stem cells today to protect their childrens health tomorrow. Store-A-Tooth preserves stem cells from baby and wisdom teeth that would otherwise be discarded, so parents can be prepared for advances in stem cell therapies that someday may help treat conditions such as type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injury, heart attack, stroke, and neurological disorders like Parkinsons and Alzheimers.

For more information about Store-A-Tooth dental stem cell banking, please call 1-877-867-5753 or visit us at http://www.store-a-tooth.com or Like Store-A-Tooth at http://www.facebook.com/storeatooth.

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Dr. Gerry Curatola Signs on as Advisory Board Member of Store-A-Tooth Dental Stem Cell Banking