Category Archives: Cell Therapy

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Stem Cell Therapy
The problems of AMD and its potential treatment with Retinal Stem Cell Therapy BIO 1103 at UGA

By: grayson3447

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Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinal Stem Cell Therapy - Video

By Cheche V. Moral

I DID it because it worked on my wifes cousin, and because of what I read about it, says Joe Concepcion of his stem-cell therapy. ALANAH TORRALBA

Last of two parts

Jose S. Concepcion Jr., at 81, still goes to the office daily, and, to his wifes chagrin, is quite restless and bullheaded, sour if he has nothing to keep himself busy.

He does crazy things! Like, if he gets hold of a book, hell bring it and photocopy everything, says Marivic Concepcion, who has been married for 56 years to the RFM Corp. chair, Namfrel (National Citizens Movement for Free Election) founder and former trade secretary. He needs a caregiver but he wont allow it. He could fall!

Her husband, however, insists he feels excellent. I feel so good when I wake up. I dont feel tired, says the activist known to many as Joecon.

Concepcion attributes this renewed strength and vigor to a procedure he had undergone not long ago, and of which he has been a vocal and unpaid advocate: stem-cell therapy.

Astonishing effects

The tycoon received his treatment from a German doctor named Christoph Ganss, who comes to the Philippines every three or four months to speak about his company and the benefits of stem-cell banking, according to the Concepcions. Ganss is the founder of Ticeba (Tissue & Cell Banking), a tissue bank for stem cells and laboratory in Heidelberg.

The couple heard of Dr. Ganss from Ms Concepcions cousin who underwent the treatment in Germany.

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Jose “Joecon” Concepcion Jr: ‘I’m now a believer in stem-cell therapy. The proof is me!’

Feb. 21, 2013 Cell therapy is a promising alternative to tissue and organ transplantation for diseases that are caused by death or poor functioning of cells. Considering the ethical discussions surrounding human embryonic stem cells, a lot is expected of the so-called 'induced pluripotent stem cells' (iPS cells). However, before this technique can be applied effectively, a lot of research is required into the safety and efficacy of such iPS cells. VIB scientists associated to the UGent have developed a mouse model that can advance this research to the next step.

Lieven Haenebalcke (VIB/UGent): "iPS cells have enormous therapeutic potential, but require more thorough testing before they can be used for such purposes. Using our new mouse model, we can study which mechanisms determine the identity of a cell. This knowledge is essential before we can use cell therapy for regenerative medicine."

Jody Haigh (VIB/UGent): "If we want to give cell therapy a future, then we must continue this type of research and invest in the further development of such technologies. This will result in an improved insight into cellular identity and -- in the long term -- safer options of applying iPS cells or cells derived from iPS cells in clinical studies."

Cell therapy -- replacing cells to provide a cure

Cell therapy is the replacement of lost or poorly functioning cells in patients. For example, such cell therapies could be used to repair the heart muscle after a heart attack, joints affected by arthritis, the pancreas in diabetes or the spine in certain forms of paralysis. This requires cells that are able to multiply in the laboratory and that can be converted to healthy cells of the desired cell type. Human embryonic stem cells meet these criteria, but they are ethically controversial.

iPS cells -- a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells

Shinya Yamanaka recently developed a fairly simple method to reprogram differentiated cells -- such as skin cells -- back to stem cells, so-called "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells). This earned him the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012 (shared with John Gurdon). These iPS cells can be generated using only 4 "reprogramming factors."

As is the case with embryonic stem cells, these iPS cells can be used to produce other cell types, such as heart muscle cells or nerve cells. They can also be cultured indefinitely and there are no ethical objections as they are not obtained from human embryos left over after IVF, but from adult individuals. Furthermore, iPS cells are obtained from the patient and this reduces the risk of rejection during therapeutic applications.

Essential research possible

Before iPS cells can be used effectively and safely as a therapy, it is essential that we gain clear insight into which molecular mechanisms determine the identity of a cell; why and how a cell develops into -- for example -- a heart muscle cell, a nerve cell or a blood cell. In order to do so, Lieven Haenebalcke and Jody Haigh have developed a mouse model that will enable them to conduct this research. They succeeded in creating iPS cells from a variety of mouse cells. Furthermore, the new model allows the investigators to replace the 4 reprogramming factors in these iPS cells efficiently with specific genes in order to create targeted different cell types, such as functional heart muscle cells.

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Cell therapy: New mouse model promises to advance research on induced pluripotent stem cells

Now, thanks to participating veterinarians like Dr. Karen Derfuss, DVM, from Branchburg Animal Hospital, who will be conducting a new double stem cell therapy procedure on Tuesday, Feb. 26, and the procedure itself, developed by MediVet America, a new kind of treatment is available for dogs, Auggie and Chloe, and other beloved pets in the Branchburg area.

This new procedure marks a major milestone in regenerative veterinary medicine, said MediVet-America spokesman, Dr. Mike Hutchinson, D.V.M., a leading practitioner in stem cell therapy who has performed more than 400 adipose-derived stem cell treatments on dogs and cats. MediVets superior results made me a believer, and Im excited to share this news with my colleagues.

The procedure uses adult animal stem cell technology and the bodys own regenerative healing power. No embryonic stem cells are used. MediVets kit and equipment enable veterinarians to remove a sample of fat from the pet, separate stem cells from the fat, then activate and inject the cells into the affected area. The entire procedure is all done in-clinic and on the same day.

Within about one month, most animals can be removed from pain and anti-inflammatory drugs. Results show animals that had been unable to climb stairs or jump, now are walking, running and playing.

MediVet is a global leader in veterinary science, with over 1,000 clinics practicing this incredible technology in the US, Mexico, Canada and 28 other countries

About the two dogs:

Auggie is a nine year old loving beagle and a Fathers Day Gift for dad. He is suffering from hip dysplasia, which is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. Derfuss is the only doctor in the area who has been certified by MediVet America to perform this double procedure. The stem cell procedure is an affordable and non-invasive alternative to FHO (femoral head osteopathy) surgery, which was originally planned for Auggie.

Chloe is a beautiful 11 year old golden retriever who suffers from bilateral arthritic hips and long term inflammation issues. It was decided to use this new technology to treat Chloes ailments as an alternative to expensive and invasive hip replacement surgery.

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First ever double stem cell therapy procedure to be performed by Branchburg veterinarian

Public release date: 21-Feb-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Sooike Stoops sooike.stoops@vib.be 32-924-46611 VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Cell therapy is a promising alternative to tissue and organ transplantation for diseases that are caused by death or poor functioning of cells. Considering the ethical discussions surrounding human embryonic stem cells, a lot is expected of the so-called 'induced pluripotent stem cells' (iPS cells). However, before this technique can be applied effectively, a lot of research is required into the safety and efficacy of such iPS cells. VIB scientists associated to the UGent have developed a mouse model that can advance this research to the next step.

Lieven Haenebalcke (VIB/UGent): "iPS cells have enormous therapeutic potential, but require more thorough testing before they can be used for such purposes. Using our new mouse model, we can study which mechanisms determine the identity of a cell. This knowledge is essential before we can use cell therapy for regenerative medicine."

Jody Haigh (VIB/UGent): "If we want to give cell therapy a future, then we must continue this type of research and invest in the further development of such technologies. This will result in an improved insight into cellular identity and in the long term safer options of applying iPS cells or cells derived from iPS cells in clinical studies."

Cell therapy replacing cells to provide a cure

Cell therapy is the replacement of lost or poorly functioning cells in patients. For example, such cell therapies could be used to repair the heart muscle after a heart attack, joints affected by arthritis, the pancreas in diabetes or the spine in certain forms of paralysis. This requires cells that are able to multiply in the laboratory and that can be converted to healthy cells of the desired cell type. Human embryonic stem cells meet these criteria, but they are ethically controversial.

iPS cells a promising alternative to embryonic stem cells

Shinya Yamanaka recently developed a fairly simple method to reprogram differentiated cells such as skin cells back to stem cells, so-called "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells). This earned him the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012 (shared with John Gurdon). These iPS cells can be generated using only 4 "reprogramming factors".

As is the case with embryonic stem cells, these iPS cells can be used to produce other cell types, such as heart muscle cells or nerve cells. They can also be cultured indefinitely and there are no ethical objections as they are not obtained from human embryos left over after IVF, but from adult individuals. Furthermore, iPS cells are obtained from the patient and this reduces the risk of rejection during therapeutic applications.

See the article here:
Cell therapy a little more concrete thanks to VIB research