Author Dominick Dunne Dies After Experimental Overseas Stem Cell Cancer Treatments

Experimental stem cell cancer treatments in the Dominican Republic and Germany failed to stem the progress of author Dominick Dunne’s bladder cancer. The 83-year-old former Hollywood producer died August 26. Like the late actress Farrah Fawcett, Dunne was treated unsuccessfully at Germany’s Leonardis Clinic in Bad Heilbrunn. The clinic nevertheless claims a high success rate. The U.S. FDA does not yet allow the use of stem cells to treat cancer because treatments have not proven universally safe or effective. “…[T]hose [countries] that are ahead of us in this area haven’t been able to show any real benefit, and I don’t think American patients are missing out on anything in this area,” said Dr. Stan Gerson, director of the Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine of Cleveland, Ohio.

By Cathy Doheny, “Dominick Dunne dies of bladder cancer after experimental stem cell treatments”, Examiner.com, August 26, 2009, © 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com