Can Stem Cell Research Really Defeat the 1927 Yankees and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) | Adult Stem Cell Research

babe ruth and lou gehrig - 1927 yankees

Can Stem Cell Research Really Defeat the 1927 Yankees and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)

Posted 18 June, 2009 in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) |

Stem Cell Research Shown To Improve ALS

In a recent published clinical stem cell research study, adult stem cells were shown to help delay Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) progression and improve an ALS patient’s quality of life. This research study was believed to be the first published study comparing ALS patients who had their own stem cells injected into their brain vs a control group.

Thank you very much to ALS Worldwide for providing us with this exciting stem cell research breakthrough in humans- not mice! Any clinical studies like this in the United States? I can’t hear you….

Without further ado- here is the published stem cell research study on ALS.

Summary of Adult Stem Cell Therapy for ALS Study

This summary is provided by the good people at ALS Worldwide as well as they went to observe this tremendous stem cell treatment using Adult Stem Cells!

HOSPITAL SAN JOSE TECNOLOGICO DE MONTERREY STEM CELL PROCEDURE

The initial two year clinical test study results of the stem cell procedure instituted by Hospital San Jose Tecnologico de Monterrey, was published in Cytotherapy, February, 2009. Positive results were confirmed through both clinical observation and MRI tractography. It is considered by many within the international neurological community to be the foremost procedure available for minimizing or abrogating ALS symptoms and extending the lifespan of ALS patients. The procedure is a state of the art use of autologous CD-133 (+) stem cells injected into the frontal cortices for the effective replacement of motor neurons.

Representing the ALS WORLDWIDE patient community, we were at Hospital San Jose Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico from June 6-14 to observe the hospitalization and procedures for the first two international patients being provided this stem cell therapy. In a sentence, the official message delivered is clear: “This stem cell procedure is not a cure. We offer nothing more than the promise of stability and extended life expectancy. The opportunity, however, exists for improvement. “

Process of Stem Cells for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

The stem cell preparation procedure is sophisticated and complicated but in the simplest terms, the patient’s blood is purified, extracted and cleansed. Stem cells are extracted and then the one kind of stem cell that can be best coaxed into becoming a neuron is injected into two places in the brain. The patient experiences no pain and very little discomfort during the procedure. A mild sedative is provided and within hours, the patient is back in his or her room, enjoying dinner.

The team effort at Hospital San Jose Tecnologico de Monterrey embraces a cooperative spirit that pervades every aspect of their efforts. Patients and their families are treated with the highest level of concern, respect and support. The hospital itself resembles the finest hotel and provides exemplary care. A more detailed, scientific explanation of the Monterrey experience is currently being prepared and will be posted to ALS WORLDWIDE within the next week.

I hope to post these updates on this breakthrough in stem cell research as well.

via Can Stem Cell Research Really Defeat the 1927 Yankees and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) | Adult Stem Cell Research.

Iraqi Doctor Uses Adult Stem Cell Therapies to Help Treat Patients Diseases – AdultStemCell.com

Iraqi Doctor Uses Adult Stem Cell Therapies to Help Treat Patients Diseases

Jun 19, 2009

Amid the blast walls and cacophony of Baghdad, patients at a local clinic are receiving potentially groundbreaking stem cell therapy, treatments that remain illegal and unproven in many countries.

Dr. Abdul Majeed Alwan Hammadi is conducting the treatments for free, mostly on young Iraqis. He is a clinical hematologist who works in the Bone Marrow Transplant Center, part of Baghdad’s Medical City complex of hospitals on the eastern banks of the Tigris River.

Hammadi says he started therapies in 2008 and has so far treated 34 patients, the majority for multiple sclerosis.

via Iraqi Doctor Uses Adult Stem Cell Therapies to Help Treat Patients Diseases – AdultStemCell.com.

Adult Stem Cells Help Congestive Heart Failure Patient

Another congestive heart failure stem cell victory!

Author: Don Margolis | Source: The Repair Stem Cell Institute

Adult Stem Cells Help Congestive Heart Failure Patient

STEM CELL RESEARCH HEALS HEART MUSCLE AFTER HEART ATTACK Another congestive heart failure patient has been helped by stem cell research using adult stem cells. Terry Areford, 62, a multiple heart attack victim has been given a 2nd chance at life after receiving Vescell stem cell treatment to heal his heart muscle in Thailand.

STEM CELL RESEARCH HEALS HEART MUSCLE AFTER HEART ATTACK

Another congestive heart failure patient has been helped by stem cell research using adult stem cells. Terry Areford, 62, a multiple heart attack victim has been given a 2nd chance at life after receiving Vescell stem cell treatment to heal his heart muscle in Thailand.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE SYMPTOMS

Terry was dying. He was slowing down. He had the usual symptoms of congestive heart failure. He had shortness of breath. He could barely walk 50 feet slowly. However, Terry still had hope. His daughter came across the Vescell website and contacted them.

ADULT STEM CELLS FROM YOUR OWN BLOOD

For those of you unfamiliar with Vescell stem cell therapy in Thailand, it is a process created by a company called Theravitae in which adult stem cells are removed from the patient’s blood (similar to a blood donation) and then multiplied into a therapeutic dose and then implanted into the patient’s heart muscle and/or coronary arteries.

But back to Terry’s stem cell story-

BEFORE VESCELL TREATMENT

* Ejection Fraction 10%

* Could barely walk

* Severe shortness of breath

AFTER ADULT STEM CELLS IMPLANTED

* Ejection Fraction at 45%

* Plays 3 rounds of golf per week

* No shortness of breath- outside chopping firewood

3 full 18 hole rounds of golf per week? No kidding Terry? I am very happy for you. Like many of the Vescell heart patients recently, Terry has become an adult stem cell advocate and wants other congestive heart failure patients to know that there is still hope out there.

You are welcome to call or email Terry at 304-594-9377 or his email is bkareford@msn.com

STEM CELL RESEARCH IN THAILAND

This is the third stem cell research success story to come out of Thailand in the last month. See stories from heart attack victims and heart failure patients James Eilert and Andy Jordan as well. The Repair Stem Cell Instititue (www.repairstemcells.org) is dedicated to education, empowerment and advocacy. To learn more visit www.repairstemcells.org or www.donmargolis.com.

Coming soon to RSCI: Meet Doris! The first children’s book that helps explain adult stem cells and how they work!

via Catholic.net – Adult Stem Cells Help Congestive Heart Failure Patient.

Human fallopian tube: a new source of multipotent adult mesenchymal stem cells discarded in surgical procedures – 7thSpace Interactive

Fallopian tubes may contain multipotent stem cells!

Human fallopian tube: a new source of multipotent adult mesenchymal stem cells discarded in surgical procedures

The possibility of using stem cells for regenerative medicine hasopened a new field of investigation. The search for sources to obtain multipotent stem cells from discarded tissues or through non-invasive procedures is of great interest.

It has been shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) obtained from umbilical cords, dental pulp and adipose tissue, which are all biologicaldiscards, are able to differentiate into muscle, fat, bone and cartilage cell lineages. The aim of this study was to isolate, expand, characterize and assess the differentiation potential of MSCs from human fallopian tubes (hFTs).

Methods: Lineages of hFTs were expanded, had their karyotype analyzed, were characterized by flow cytometry and underwent in vitro adipogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic, and myogenic differentiation.

Results: Here we show for the first time that hFTs, which are discarded after some gynecological procedures, are a rich additional source of MSCs, which we designated as human tube MSCs (htMSCs).

Conclusions: Human tube MSCs can be easily isolated, expanded in vitro, present a mesenchymal profile and are able to differentiate into muscle, fat, cartilage and bone in vitro.

Author: Tatiana JazedjePaulo PerinCarlos CzeresniaMariangela MalufSilvio HalpernMariane SeccoDaniela BuenoNatassia VieiraEder ZucconiMayana Zatz

Credits/Source: Journal of Translational Medicine 2009, 7:46

via Human fallopian tube: a new source of multipotent adult mesenchymal stem cells discarded in surgical procedures – 7thSpace Interactive.

Adult Stem Cell Therapies Are Where Investors Should Be Looking

Fortune Magazine Explains – Adult Stem Cell Therapies Are Where Investors Should Be Looking

It is encouraging that the financial sector recognizes the tremendous advancements in adult stem cell research.  When the rubber hits the road, the facts win out when making lucrative business decisions, as succinctly described in Fortune magazine this week.

Fortune magazine reported this Tuesday, June 16, that researchers and analysts say that marketable therapies are already emerging from less controversial work with adult stem cells.  According to this news piece “When it comes to stem cells, the public – and the media – tend to focus on embryos.”  Regardless, as acknowledged by Fortune, “adult stem cells are currently the only type of stem cells used in transplants to treat diseases” and the successes attributed to the ease of use and reduced costs in developing therapies while avoiding ethical issues.  From a business interest, many therapies are approaching market approval while embryonic stem cell therapies, if proven safe and successful, are at least 10 years away.  While the media continues its focus on embryonic cells, industry recognizes where the value lies.  Many major biopharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Genzyme are earmarking billions of dollars for development of adult stem cell cures.  To read the entire article, please click here.

Patients have the right to know all available treatment options.  For those reading this message for the first time, there are several resources available for research and clinical information.  For additional information on successful adult stem cell studies, please click here. To find treatment centers for specific conditions, please visit the Repair Stem Cell Institute website.

IGNORANCE, Part 2

Perhaps I was a bit harsh in the tone of my last post and should have helped to educate rather than outright chastise kungfool.  If so, I apologise.  My tone won’t do anything more than push him away from learning a thing or 2 about stem cells so it was a bit self-defeating to my agenda.

At some point in our discussion he got fed up and had this to say:

I am no longer permitting this guy to push his agenda on this page. I’m not going to go into details but he is clearly invested in profiting from anti-scientific argument. You’ll notice almost all of the links he posts in his replies take you to his site. If you want to know more about him just google the name David Goransky. Or go over to the Skeptic’s guide to the universe.

And here is my response.  A bit more tempered and amicable.  Maybe something will come of it…maybe not:

I’m sure you won’t post this and that’s fine but maybe you’ll read it.

My agenda is to get people treatments who have zero options. Nothing more.  In 2004, after designing an 8 story building in Thailand, I gave up a promising architecture career to help spread the word about the benefits of adult stem cells.  I barely make enough to live from my writing about stem cells so any inference that I am in it for the money is laughable at best.

I’m not sure what you mean by “anti-scientific.”  If you said UN scientific I would just point you to the SAB that I have formed my opinions from with their 700 peer reviewed studies – http://repairstemcells.org/Home/Science-Advisory-Board.aspx

Anti-scientific sounds like something you accuse of a Luddite of and I know that’s not what you mean because I am promoting the most modern treatments available.

If you meant anti-FDA clinical trial process, then their might be some substance to that accusation because I think the system is definitely broken.  If that’s the case, then we could def have an interesting discussion if you were open to it.

My links take you to my site because I have written 600 posts over the past 6 months and they will state my position faster and better than I could in a 30 second response on a comment thread.

FOr the record, my name is David Granovsky, not Goransky and I’m not sure what googling my name will turn up besides my stem cell blog and involvement in many groups and organizations that promote finding successful, safe and non-destructive treatments for disease.  I believe adult stem cells fulfill all of the above criteria and there is a mountain of evidence to substantiate that.

And while the skeptics guide looks like an interesting site, my name doesn’t bring anything up there…nor does GOransky.  I guess you meant to plug “stem cell” into their search box?

I’ll tell you what.  In 2004 I was involved with a stem cell treatment center that treated congestive heart failure.  If you would like me to put you on the phone with some of the patients who received stem cell treatments and are off of heart transplant lists, out of bed and living their lives, let me know.

If you do, you can start with James (he’s funny as hell and outspoken) – http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=46304438314&h=tpteD&u=_G-HL

Or, ignore this, delete it and move on.

Obviously, that’s up to you.

———————————————————————————–

p.s.  For the record, Steve Lasar also commented on his site and his comment was pulled.  His comment was poingnant and eye opening so I am going to reprint it here.

ALRIGHT SETTLESDOWN…APPARENTLY YOU DON’T HAVE ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOU…THAT YOU KNOW OF. BECAUSE IF YOU DID YOU WOULD BE DOING ANY AND EVERYTHING YOU COULD TO FIND A CURE FOR IT! I BROKE MY BACK AT T11-T12 12 YRS AGO..INCOMPLETE..I WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO WALK AGAIN..BUT I DO WITH A WALKER OR CRUTCHES. I WORK OUT 5 DAYS A WEEK..HARD..AND AM VERY DETERMIED TO GET MY POWERFUL LEGS BACK…I AM ALSO GETTING ALL MY DUCKS IN A ROW SO I CAN GO TO CR AND GET STEM CELLS. I AM TIRED OF WAITING …AND WILL NOT WAIT TEN MORE YEARS FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR REAR ENDS TO GET THEM IN THIS COUNTRY. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME…AND WITH OTHER ILLNESSES..INJURIES ETC. THAT WOULD SIGN LIABILITY WAIVERS TO BE USED AS GUINEA PIGS…I’LL SIGN ONE RIGHT NOW…GIVE ME THE STEM CELLS!! SO MY ALTERNATIVE IS TO GO TO A 3RD WORLD COUNTRY AND SPEND 10-30 THOUSAND TO BE TREATED. SIDE EFFECTS?? SHOOT..BEING LIKE THIS IS A SIDE EFFECT! I THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE DAVID GRANOSKY…DON MARGOLIS AND OTHERS LIKE THEM FOR HELPING US FIND HELP …AND PUSHING TO BRING IT ONE STEP CLOSER IN THIS COUNTRY…THANKS DAVI D AND DON !! SINCERELY STEVE LASAR

HELP FIGHT BLIND IGNORANCE!

I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS BLATANTLY IGNORANT COMMENT.  PLEASE HELP FIGHT IGNORANCE IN ALL OF IT’S FORMS.  THANK YOU! (my comments in red.) -dg

Kungfool says:

“The post above is BS too.  Autism cannot be cured, and people peddling stem cells as a miracle cure are hucksters”

This is the only somewhat correct part of his rant.  Autism can be cured, it’s just a matter of time.  But that’s not the problem.  The problem is that this guy thinks all stem cell clinics peddle miracle cures.  In fact, the top 8 in the world are so respectful of their patients that they severely downplay their success and probably never even use the word cure, much less “miracle cure”.  They are very up front about the number of patients they have treated per disease and their success rate and side effects if any.

So, I agree.  People peddling “miracle cures” probably ARE hucksters.

But, highly credential scientists/doctors with an abundance of experience who are administering scientifically proven stem cell treatments with a 5-10 year safety and success record and full disclosure regarding history (on the other hand) are NOT hucksters and are to be applauded for their efforts.

“Anytime a treatment is available at ONE clinic, and they claim to be 10-20 years ahead of the rest of the world, skeptical red flags should be flying high. “

Who does this?  Please show me a stem cell treatment center that advertises “10-20 years ahead of the world.”  If they exist, you are probably right and should avoid them.  But none of the treatment centers I have had interaction with in over 4 years in the industry has have made such claims.

Many of the treatment centers around the world ARE about 5-7 years ahead of the United States because the US was so focused on embryonic research and the debate that they fell behind…but not 10-20 ahead of the world.

“But links like the one above…”

he is refering to Stem Cells for Autism – An Open Letter to President Obama – http://repairstemcell.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/stem-cells-for-autism-an-open-letter-to-president-obama/

“…are counter intuitive and give false hope. Spreading this misinformation is no better than selling people sugar pills to cure their ailments.” Comment by kungfool (SHORTENED FOR CONTENT)

BS?  Misinformation? Sugar pills?

Here are 279 adult stem cell articles that describe victories around the world.  Are all of these major news sources scamming the public?
http://donmargolis.com/blog/category/victories/

Here’s another 2-300.  Are these articles about snake oil salesmen AND written by world class journalists who got fooled every time?
http://repairstemcell.wordpress.com/category/victories-success-stories/

Did you know that adult stem cells are being used all over the US for many pets – cats, dogs and horses…just not in humans (IN THE US) because the clinical trial process takes 7-12 years and the US got a late start with their focus on embryonic stem cells.
http://repairstemcell.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/kcbs-stem-cell-research-on-horses-holds-promise-for-human-athletes/

Here’s a few peer reviewed studies on the benefits of adult stem cells in over 72 diseases (from 2007):
http://www.stemcellresearch.org/facts/asc-refs.pdf

False hope? -”And as far as false hope, there is no such thing. There is only hope or the absence of hope-nothing else.” – Patti Davis http://repairstemcell.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/false-hope-real-hope/

If seems to me that the only one dealing in misinformation is kungfool.  But I understand it can get very confusing.

So if you are honestly concerned about finding one of the GOOD treatment centers, there is a non-partial patient advocate education center called the Repair Stem Cell Institute (RSCI) – http://repairstemcells.org

RSCI lists the top 5% of reputable stem cell treatment centers which have met their rigorous guidelines and standards – http://repairstemcells.org/RepairStemCellStandards.php

They have a science advisory board with doctors and scientists whose credentials will impress even the most jaded and with over 700 peer reviewed papers among them.
http://repairstemcells.org/Home/Science-Advisory-Board.aspx

I wonder if he thinks they are all BS and scammers too?

Get your facts straight before making (ignorant) blanket statements kungfool.

Adult Stem Cells Restore Sight to the Blind

Adult Stem Cells Restore Sight to the Blind

By Bob Ellis on June 5th, 2009

It looks as if there may be yet another successful therapy derived from adult stem cells, on top of the more than 70 (more like 130-150 -dg) other successful adult stem cell treatments for illnesses like meningitis-related limb damage, brain injury, stroke, retina regeneration, heart tissue regeneration, angina, diabetes, bone cancer, nerve regeneration, cerebral palsy, cartilage regeneration, Parkinsons, kidney damage, liver cancer, lupus, multiple sclerosis, leukemia and more.

Perhaps some blind people may soon be able to retire their guide dogs.

via Adult Stem Cells Restore Sight to the Blind.

Stem Cells for Autism – An Open Letter to President Obama

Stem Cells for Autism – An Open Letter to President Obama

(edited for length)

Cologne, Germany (PRWEB) June 8, 2009 — The mother of a Bayport, New York girl reaches out to President Obama to make stem cell therapy available in America after her daughter’s successful treatment in January 2009.

For Judy DiCorcia, it took a leap of faith to take her 10-year-old daughter, Lauren, for stem cell therapy. Just six short weeks after returning home and observing her daughter’s progress, she knew that her faith had been rewarded, prompting her to bring her daughter’s story to the attention of President Obama. Here is what she wrote to him:

Dear President Obama,

I am the mother of a 10-year-old autistic daughter. In January, we took Lauren for Adult Stem Cell therapy. The center used her own stem cells drawn from her hip bone marrow, centrifuged the next day, and then reinserted via lumbar puncture the following day (2.95 million cells). Both procedures were quick and not invasive at all. In the past 6 weeks we have seen significant improvements in our daughter’s behaviors, focus, hyperactivity, and insomnia. I would rate a general improvement of about 40% – this is HUGE for a family living with autism. Our daughter started sleeping through the night for the first time (yes, she is 10 and got up every night) since stem cells. Lauren is happier just in her own skin – so much less frustrated and just generally happier. She is getting through her one-on-one therapy more quickly, better focused, and more compliant. Of course, it amazes me that this simple, non-controversial therapy cannot be done here in the United States.

Sincerely,
Judy DiCorcia

Now, more than five months since her treatment, Mrs. DiCorcia reports that her daughter is still doing well, “Lauren is doing well. I would have to say that she ‘plateaued’ at about the 12-week mark. Her situation is stable and fortunately all positive effects have persisted. I wish the doctor could fly to the US and perform the therapy here!”

The autism treatment employs (autologous) stem cells that come from the patient’s own bone marrow. After the stem cells are separated from the bone marrow, they are implanted into the spinal canal under local or general anesthesia depending upon the specific needs of the patient. Over 1000 patients have been treated via lumbar puncture with no major complications.

For more information on the top 5% of stem cell treatment centers in the world:

http://repairstemcells.org

When anti-depression drugs cause suicides…depression diagnoses and prescriptions go down

This just goes to show you that if the drugs are made and the doctors have them, they will be distributed…regardless of whether they are truly needed or not.

And I can’t help mentioning that while trading off depression for “suicidal thoughts and behavior” seems ridiculous…it doesn’t seem any more ridiculous than the laundry list of side affects shown on tv commercials every day for “new and wonderful” drugs.  -dg

Depression Diagnoses Decline After FDA Warning Associated Press

Jun. 01, 2009 CHICAGO–A persistent decline in the rate of Americans, especially children, newly diagnosed with depression followed the first federal warning on risks connected with antidepressant drugs, a study suggests. In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration first warned about the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in young people taking the drugs. That action may have helped reverse a five-year trend of rising rates of diagnosis for depression, the researchers found. The findings, published Monday in the Archives of General Psychiatry, are based on an analysis of eight years of data from nearly 100 managed care plans and more than …