Stemcell therapy 'adversely effected' 2025% of patients

Stamina risks range from nausea to cancer, prosecutors say

(ANSA) - Turin, April 24 - Between 20% and 25% of Italian patients treated with a recently discredited stem-cell therapy called Stamina experienced "adverse effects", medical consultants said in a report submitted to prosecutors in Turin on Thursday. Such effects, said the report, had not been reported to health officials. Earlier Thursday, Turin investigators submitted a report that said risks of the treatment range from nausea to cancer. Prosecutors concluded a probe Wednesday of 20 suspects involved in the Stamina treatment, including Davide Vannoni, founder of the Stamina Foundation, who may face indictment. Charges could include criminal association to commit aggravated fraud and administration of dangerous drugs, according to prosecutors whose probe examined the treatment of slightly more than 100 patients. Another 37 donors of stem cells used in the controversial treatment, rejected by the health ministry, were examined during the investigation. According to prosecutors, Vannoni and other suspects "pretended" that there was a "high chance" of recovery from serious illness if patients agreed to the Stamina treatment. Earlier this month, hospitals in Italy that used the discredited stem-cell treatment announced they had suspended the program. That followed announcements last fall by Italy's health ministry that the Stamina Foundation - the nonprofit foundation that developed the treatment - would not be allowed to test it on humans. The foundation was also stripped of its non-profit status after a study found its treatment was "ignorant of stem-cell biology".

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Stemcell therapy 'adversely effected' 2025% of patients