Stem Cell Debate – 2001 – A blast from the past
Steve Carell would rather debate over Dutch prostitutes than stem cell research.
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Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Viable for Children and Adolescents with Relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
In SCIENCE & STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 11:01 pmBrowse > Home / Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, News, Progressive Relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma / Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Viable for Children and Adolescents with Relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Viable for Children and Adolescents with Relapsed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
September 24, 2009
Children and adolescents with relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma respond well to allogeneic stem cell transplantation, according to the results of a study published in Blood.[1]
Although children and adolescents with Hodgkin’s lymphoma have an excellent prognosis, some do relapse. These patients may benefit from stem cell transplantation, which involves the delivery of high doses of chemotherapy, followed by the infusion of stem cells, which serve to “rescue” bone marrow and hasten blood cell production and immune system recovery. Autologous stem cell transplants involve the patient’s own stem cells, whereas allogeneic stem cell transplants require the collection of donor stem cells.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation has not been widely used in children and adolescents with Hodgkin’s lymphoma because of a high rate of nonrelapse mortality (NRM), which is mainly caused by acute and/or chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD); GVHD occurs when the patient’s body rejects the donor cells. Researchers from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation conducted a study that involved 91 children age 18 or younger with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma who were treated with an allogeneic stem cell transplant between 1987 and 2005. Fifty-one patients received reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) (lower doses of chemotherapy), and 40 patients received myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (higher doses of chemotherapy). (Of the 40 patients who had failed a prior autologous transplant, 32 received RIC.) The results of the study indicated the following:
- Non-relapse mortality at one year was 21%, with similar results for RIC or MAC.
- The two-year relapse rate was 36%.
- The five-year relapse rate was 44%.
- There were more relapses in the RIC group than the MAC group.
- Progression-free survival was 40%.
- Overall survival was 54%.
The researchers concluded that allogeneic stem cell transplantation “is a viable treatment strategy for children and adolescents with relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma who failed most if not all other options available.” Reference: [1] Claviez A, Canals C, Dierickx D, et al. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children and adolescents with recurrent and refractory Hodgkin’s lymphoma: An analysis of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Blood. 2009; 114: 2060-2067.
TOP OTC STOCK PICKS
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 9:50 pmSTEM CELL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL (OTCBB: SCII)
“Up 41.54% on Friday”
Stem Cell Therapy International, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Stem Cell Therapy International Corp., engages in licensing of stem cell technology and the sale of stem cell products, as well as the provision of information, education, and referral services. It provides allo stem cell biological solutions that are used in the treatment of patients suffering from degenerative disorders of the human body, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, leukemia, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, brain injury, stroke, heart disease, liver and retinal disease, and diabetes, as well as certain types of cancer. The company’s stem cell biological solutions can be used to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy. Its principal stem cell products are solutions containing allo stem cell biological solutions, either adult stem cells, and stem cells that are extracted from umbilical cord blood. It intends to offer biological solutions containing stem cell products primarily in the United States to universities, institutes, and privately funded laboratory facilities for research purposes and clinical trials. The company was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.
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Excellent SC Mobilization + Safety Profile for TG-0054
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Excellent SC Mobilization + Safety Profile for TG-0054
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced today that in a phase 1 study in healthy volunteers TG-0054, a chemokine receptor CXCR4 antagonist, was well tolerated and rapidly mobilized stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells from bone marrow into peripheral blood. The number of CD34+ stem cells in circulation after one dose of TG-0054 was equal or higher than reported cell numbers needed for stem cell transplantation in cancer patients. The observed AEs were all mild and transient. A phase 2 study in stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin disease patients is currently being initiated.
The trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single intravenous dose study including 64 healthy volunteers in US, to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of TG-0054 in 8 cohorts. The mobilized stem and progenitor cells peaked at 4-6 hours following one single intravenous dose.
“We are greatly encouraged by the phase 1 study results which indicates that TG-0054 has the potential to be used alone, not in combination with G- CSF, for allogenic or autologous stem cell transplantation in cancer patients. This should greatly reduce the hospital and other associated cost for such a procedure. Importantly, the activity and safety profile in the phase 1 study will support our future development of TG-0054 in chemosensitization and tissue ischemia, including myocardial infarction, stroke and severe intermittent claudication. Our preclinical animal disease models and the phase 1 study results lend strong support to clinical development for these clinical indications,” said Dr. Ming-Chu Hsu, Chairman & CEO of TaiGen.
via Excellent Stem Cell Mobilization and Safety Profile for TG-0054.
U. expert to lead stem cell research panel
In ALL ARTICLES on September 28, 2009 at 9:20 pm
U. expert to lead stem cell research panel
University of Utah medical ethics expert Jeffrey R. Botkin has been named chairman of a new nine-member group that will act as a clearinghouse for science research project requests for embryonic stem cells.
Requests for the cells are expected to increase significantly with the lifting of restrictions imposed by the Bush administration on National Institutes of Health research guidelines that all but prohibited embryonic stem cells to be used in scientific research.
via Deseret News | U. expert to lead stem cell research panel.
NIH EXPANDS SC RESEARCH FUNDING
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 9:19 pmNIH moves forward with expanded funding for stem cell research
September 21, 2009 | 12:25 pm
The National Institutes of Health moved closer today to fulfilling President Obama’s pledge to expand the number of stem cell lines eligible for use in federally funded research projects.
Dr. Francis Collins, the NIH’s new director, named members of a working group that will vet applications from researchers who want to add specific lines of human embryonic stem cells to the agency’s official stem cell registry. The group’s analysis will go to an NIH advisory committee, which will make recommendations to Collins, who will make the final decision about whether a particular cell line is acceptable.
To be eligible for federal funding, embryonic stem cell lines derived since July 9 – when the new rules went into effect – must meet strict ethical rules for embryo donation and informed consent. For instance, fertility clinic patients who are interested in donating their excess embryos to medical researchers must give their consent on two separate occasions. It must also be made explicit that their embryos will be destroyed if they are used to make stem cell lines.
via NIH moves forward with expanded funding for stem cell research | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times.
Glasses could help stroke victims
In OFF THE BEATEN PATH on September 28, 2009 at 9:17 pmGLASSES TO HELP STROKE VICTIMS
Spectacles that help rewire the brain are being used to help frail and elderly patients walk again.
The specs, which cost around £1,600 and were developed in Israel, are designed for those who are unsteady on their feet.
They work by prompting the brain to send signals to nerves in the legs and feet to get moving.
Specs appeal: Glasses that help rewire the brain are being used to help frail and elderly patients who are unsteady on their feet
Specs appeal: Glasses that help rewire the brain are being used to help frail and elderly patients who are unsteady on their feet
One of the most effective ways of doing this is to project an image of a tiled black and white floor in front of the patient’s eyes.
As the patient steps forward, this image appears in the corner of each eyepiece. The floor appears to move towards them as their body advances. This provides a continuous brain prompt to stimulate movement.
Boosting activity in the elderly can improve muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls and fractures.
S Dakota Voters Ballot Prop for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 9:15 pmSouth Dakota Voters Could Face Ballot Prop for Embryonic Stem Cell Research – by Steven Ertelt – LifeNews.com Editor – September 28, 2009
Pierre, SD (LifeNews.com) — When voters in South Dakota head to the polls next November, they could face a statewide ballot measure that would force taxpayers to pay for embryonic stem cell research. That is the science that has yet to provide any cures for patients and has had problems in animal studies.
Former state Treasurer David Volk of Sioux Falls, who is a cancer survivor, says he doesn’t like the current state restrictions against funding the controversial research.
He says he wants the regulations thrown out so taxpayer dollars can flow to embryonic stem cell research involving cancer, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s and other diseases — even though the use of adult stem cells is already helping patients now.
Volk has created a new group called South Dakotans for Lifesaving Cures that will file papers with the Secretary of State for the ballot measure. It will need to obtain 6,776 valid signatures by April 6 to get the measure on the November 2010 ballot…
via South Dakota Voters Could Face Ballot Prop for Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
Pitt Researchers Grab $5M in Grants
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 9:14 pmScience Pitt Researchers Grab $5M in Grants for Stem Cell Research
Shane McGlaun (Blog) – September 28, 2009 11:30 AM
Researchers working on growing tissues inside of lymph nodes from stem cells
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have received two grants that total over $5 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore new methods for cultivating replacement cells from inside the body and organs. The grant will be used to study ways to coax stem cells to grow into specific types of tissue inside the lymph nodes of the body.
One of the grants was for $2.9 million and was awarded to Eric Lagasse, a professor of pathology in Pitt’s School of Medicine. Lagasse is also a researcher in the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He will use the funds on research to use the many lymph nodes in the body as sites for growing replacement cells for other tissues. His research will use the lymph nodes as bioreactors to grow cells within the body.
via DailyTech – Pitt Researchers Grab $5M in Grants for Stem Cell Research.
TOP STEM CELL STOCK NEWS TODAY
In BUSINESS OF STEM CELLS on September 28, 2009 at 4:04 pmSWVL, EVFL, GOIG, SCII, September 28 Stocks to Watch from otcpicks.com
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