People considering stem-cell treatment have been advised to think again, with six groups of medical specialists issuing a strong warning yesterday that unlicensed stem-cell treatments on offer could kill a patient.

The medical societies that issued the statement include the Royal College of Physicians, the Dermatological Society, Heart Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, the Thai Society of Haematology, the Nephrology Society and the Neurology Society.

The statement said the Medical Council of Thailand had only approved the use of stem-cell treatment on blood diseases - namely leukaemia, malignant lymphoma, aplastic anaemia, multiple myeloma and thalassemia.

Clinical research on the use of stem-cell treatment is ongoing, but there is no scientific evidence that stem-cell therapy can effectively increasing a person's longevity, or delay organ degeneration or improve a patient's quality of life, Prof Kriang Tungsanga, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said.

The move by the medical societies was prompted by widespread ads about stem-cell-based "miracle pills" that claim to ease the symptoms of chronic symptoms such as diabetes and heart disease.

The unlicensed use of stem-cell therapy to treat heart disease, diabetes or for aesthetic purposes has become popular among celebrities and rich people who can afford the treatment, which can cost anything from Bt100,000 to Bt1 million.

Some patients even fly to private clinics in Germany to receive stem-cell injections extracted from unborn sheep that they believe will improve their health and make them look younger.

However, Kriang reiterated that stem-cell therapy is not recommended or included in the standard clinical practice guidelines of any disease other than some blood conditions.

Wrong usage 'can hurt'

Moreover, inappropriate use of stem-cell therapy may be harmful to patients as they could develop an allergy, clotting in blood vessels, contamination of the blood stream, foreign protein materials, chemicals microbial organisms and other non-pure types of cells and cancer transforming cells.

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Stem-cell therapy 'can be lethal'

Rockville, Maryland (PRWEB) September 05, 2013

Fisher BioServices Inc., a leading provider of biorepository/biobanking and ultra cold chain logistics services, announced that Dan ODonnell, Associate Director of Cell Therapy Logistics, will speak at three upcoming industry conferences. Mr. ODonnell, who is widely known for his expertise on ultra cold chain distribution and regulatory compliance in transporting biologics and cryogenically frozen cell-based therapeutics, has been invited to present at the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) North America Regional Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (September 811), the Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine USA Congress in Cambridge, Massachusetts (September 30October 1), and the ColdChainIQ 11th Annual GDP & Temperature Management Logistics Global Forum in Chicago, Illinois (September 30October 4).

Mr. ODonnell will share his expertise on the challenges of moving high value biologics at ultra cold temperatures from the manufacturer to the patient bedsidein clinical trials as well as in the commercial marketplace. This will include an overview of how product packaging and clinical trial design can complicate logistics, add expense, and limit the number of clinical sites available for conducting phase II and phase III clinical trials. He will use a case study format to illustrate the technical challenges of meeting FDA requirements while moving products around the world at cryogenic temperatures, and share his experience with both autologous and allogeneic cell-based therapies.

Industry professionals whod like to learn more about the latest end-to-end cell therapy solutions from Fisher BioServices can register for Mr. ODonnells webinar - Ultra Cold Chain & Logistical Challenges in Cell Therapy Clinical and Commercial Development on October 10th, 2013. As Fisher BioServices Associate Director of Cell Therapy Logistics, Mr. ODonnell has worked with numerous clients and assisted them in designing and implementing their ultra cold chain strategies which include packaging, qualified shipping systems, and patient delivery mechanisms that are cost-effective and align with patient safety needs and FDA requirements. He brings extensive experience and insight to the process of commercialization and distribution of biological therapeutics. Mr. ODonnells webinar will include his insights and address some of the topics in his recent eBook, Commercially Successful Cell Therapies: Navigating the Ultra Cold Chain Distribution Minefield. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. Mr. ODonnells eBook is available at blog.fisherbioservices.com. To learn more or register for the webinar, go to http://connect.fisherbioservices.com/webinar/cell_therapy_webinar_clinical_trials_commercialization

About Fisher BioServices

Fisher BioServices has 28 years of experience in biorepository/biobanking services, cold chain logistics, and related support services for health-related research. The company manages high value biological specimens, cell-based therapeutics, vaccines, tissues, and related data in support of both clinical and public health research; they store and distribute more than 170,000,000 samples in more than 20 facilities worldwide for government, academic, and pharmaceutical clients. Fisher BioServices is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of $13 billion, we have 39,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through three premier brands, Thermo Scientific, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services, which offer a unique combination of innovative technologies, convenient purchasing options and a single solution for laboratory operations management. Our products and services help our customers solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics and increase laboratory productivity. Visit http://www.thermofisher.com.

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Fisher BioServices Intensifies Commitment for Cell Therapy Companies in Clinical Trials and Approaching ...

Lewisville, TX (PRWEB) September 05, 2013

Douglas P. Stramel, DVM, CVPP, CVMA owner of Lewisville based Advanced Care Veterinary Services and a certified Pain Practitioner and Veterinary Medical Acupuncturist has been a firm believer in stem cell therapy for over six years and continues to prove its effectiveness in relieving his patients from the chronic suffering that osteoarthritis can create.

A recent patient, Jake, suffered from pain caused by chronic osteoarthritis in both hips. At the young age of seven months he had special surgery on both hips, but unfortunately by seven years old this Catahoula dog was showing severe suffering and lameness. He had problems getting up from a lying position, decreased activity, and was taking a long regimen of anti-inflammatory and pain medications to manage his discomfort. Jakes range of motion in his back legs was very limited and when asked to move he would whimper in pain.

Jakes owners had become increasingly concerned, Jake wants to stay outside, hes less interactive with the family, limps while taking walks, and doesnt want to play ball. Previously these activities were Jakes favorite ways to pass time with his family. The pain had become so serious that Jake even hesitated to obey a sit command, only following with a whine and vocal protest. Jakes owners feared they may have exhausted all therapies for their beloved pet, but were relentless in their search to help him.

They found their answer at Advanced Care Veterinary Services with Dr. Stramel. His recommendation of stem cell therapy seemed to have unrealistic expectations, but was worth a try. In a matter of 48 hours Jake started the process by having a small amount of fat collected from his side that would be shipped overnight to Vet-Stems labs in California. There, Jakes fatty tissue would be processed to create small injectable doses of Jakes own concentrated stem cells to be put directly into the joints that were causing him pain. Two days after Jakes fat sample was collected he received a stem cell injection in each hip and a stem cell dose by IV.

Jake was able to start rehabilitation two weeks after his stem cell therapy where his range of motion increased as well as his willingness to be more active. It seemed stem cells were doing their job of decreasing pain and encouraging healing in Jakes arthritic joints. Jake steadily improved and was able to discontinue rehabilitation at six weeks. He stopped taking daily medications at eight weeks, and was able to minimize his physical health regimen to a supplement that supported his joint cartilage and a fatty acid diet. Jakes owners were very pleased with the progress, and could not believe his ability to play so aggressively that he wore the pads from his paws.

His first stem cell injection wasvery successful.It allowed Jake to run, play ball and swim. In May 2013 we decided that due to his age, we should utilize the stem cells that were in storage. It is amazing how this has improved Jakes functional ability. At age 11, Jake enjoys a full, pain-free life of running, playing ball and especially swimming. I believe the stem cell injections have prolonged his life as well as his functional status, Jerry & Debbie testify to Jakes improved quality of live.

Jake was able to live in comfort for years after his first stem cell therapy, only being treated a second time recently at a ripe age of 11 years old. His owners and Dr. Stramel are confident Jake has a few more good years left in him still.

Jakes response to the stem cells has dramatically improved his life and the life of his owners. He is one of many patients that we have treated and seen good success," reports Dr. Stramel.

About Advanced Care Veterinary Services Advanced Care Veterinary Services is proud to announce the opening of the first Pain Management and Rehabilitation Clinic in Lewisville, Texas. The first of its kind in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, it has a state-of-the-art 4,000 square foot facility equipped with an indoor public canine pool, physical therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, laser therapy, and other rehabilitative exercise activities. This new facility focuses on multi-modal pain management of osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, and cancer. The clinic also offers cutting edge technology in obesity/weight management, geriatric and sport conditioning programs, and regenerative medicine including stem cell therapy for small animals. To find out more visit the website at http://stoppetpain.com/

Originally posted here:
Advanced Care Veterinary Services Proves Stem Cell Therapy May Be the Best Weapon in Fighting Pet Pain Due to Arthritis