The Stem Cell Trekker » Heart Disease

Stem Cell Therapy Gaining Ground in Asia

Executive Editor — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:29:17 +0000

Asians are beginning to warm up to the idea of using their own stem cells to treat a host of illnesses such as heart disease, cystic fibrosis or leukemia. Some parents are preserving their babies’ umbilical cords, hoping that as technology advances their children can use the umbilical blood to cure future illnesses.

It is a nightmare for parents to hear their child has developed a disease that requires a bone marrow transplant. For instance, patients with leukemia, a type of blood cancer, sometimes have a hard time finding a bone marrow match.

Scientists say the umbilical cord that attaches a baby to its mother is a rich source of stem cells, which can treat diseases like leukemia. They can be collected immediately after birth and stored in freezers by companies such as Cordlife, which operates cord blood banks in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, India and the Philippines. If a child needs it, doctors can retrieve cord blood for treatment.

“We’re seeing an explosion umbilical cord blood banking as a source of biological insurance for parents in Asia and their children,” said Andrew Wu, Cordlife’s technical and laboratory director.

Read the full article at VOANews.com.

New Prayer Book For Stem Cell Patients

Paul — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:30:48 +0000

Are you a patient thinking about stem cell treatment? Or in the middle of it? Or at home recovering from it? Now there is a prayer book that is specifically written for you.

First, stem cells are immature cells that renew themselves for long periods through cell division.

Also, under certain conditions, they can be “tricked” chemically to become cells that do special things, like become the beating cells of the heart muscle or the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

Doctors around the world are already using stem cells to treat diseases. No one is really sure if the treatments are safe and effective (by scientific standards). But many desperately ill and disabled patients travel many miles and spend many thousands of dollars to obtain these treatments.

This book of prayers is for those patients. But it is also for all patients now and in the future who seek relief from their diseases and disabilities through stem cell-based therapeutics.

Each day, people all over the world are moved to worship and adore God, and to acknowledge that they are dependent upon God.

The Gospels mention many times that Jesus himself often withdrew to quiet, desolate places to pray.

As St. Augustine once wrote, “He wishes our desires to be expressed in prayers so that we may be able to receive what he is ready to give.”

This Treasury of Prayers has four inspiring sections:

● Prayers Before Stem Cell Treatment (Contemplation and Decision);

● Prayers While at the Hospital or Clinic;

● Prayers for Patients with Specific Diseases, Conditions and Disabilities

● Scriptural Readings for the Spiritual Comfort of Stem Cell Patients.

To purchase at Amazon.com, click here.

For more information about “And I Shall Be Healed,” click here.

U.S. Heart Patient Sees Improvement After FDA-Approved Experimental Stem Cell Treatment

Paul — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:45:35 +0000

An Alexandria, Va. (USA), resident diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2007 underwent successful treatment using his own stem cells in an FDA-approved procedure that has improved his heart’s ability to pump blood and boosted his energy level for the first time in years. The patient agreed to try the stem cell procedure as part of a special Phase II test after heart catheterization, as well as pacemaker and defibrillator implants, failed to improve his condition. He was also rejected for a heart transplant. Physicians injected the patient’s own (autologous) specially-processed bone marrow-derived stem cells directly into the heart muscle. Researchers will monitor the patient’s condition, along with that of others in the test, for a year before expanding the testing to wider populations.

By David Dinsmore, “Patient No. 1: Alexandria man first to receive new stem cell heart treatment in U.S.”, August 25, 2009, © TheTowntalk.com (Alexandria, Va.)

Researchers See Stem Cell-Based Heart Treatments In 2-5 Years

Paul — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:23:29 +0000

The U.S. FDA could approve stem cell-based heart treatments in two to five years, scientists predict. Most likely source of stem cells will be a person’s own adult cells and will be used to regenerate damaged heart tissue or prevent scarring. Baxter is sponsoring a Phase II clinical trial in Chicago that will report one-year results next month. If successful, the tested treatment could be available in four years. Patients should be hopeful, but should not expect miracles anytime soon. “This is a good idea, but patients and families should not expect immediate results,” Dr. Ronald Crystal of New York-Presbyterian Hospital says.

Volunteer For Stem Cell Therapy In UK?

amyryan — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:32:15 +0000

The UK’s first large-scale adult stem cell trial to revolutionize heart treatment is looking for volunteers. Eighty-nine patients from across Britain have been enrolled for the trial at Barts and The London Heart Attack Centre in Bethnal Green. This has included a man from East Ham. A further 90 volunteers are needed. To find out more, call +(020) 8983 2216 or +(020) 8983 2213.

Stem cell therapy gives folk singer his voice back

amyryan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:30:17 +0000

AHMEDABAD: It’s heartening to see Baba Anand (65), the noted folk singer of the state, who had fallen seriously ill one-and-a-half-years ago, singing straight from his heart again. Thanks to Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Centre (IKDRC), Anand’s recovery has been quick enough. The centre pioneered in locally producing cardiac stem line from fat extracted from the singer’s abdominal wall and improved his heart function by treating him with stem cell therapy!

Director of IKDRC Dr HL Trivedi said the hospital locally manufactured cardiomyocytes or cardiac stem cells from the fat of Anand. The singer has shown a significant 10 per cent improvement in his heart pulsation in just 10 days.

“This is a very encouraging sign for us. We want to take stem cell research forward by using it on patients suffering from serious health problems, especially heart ailments,” said Trivedi.

Trivedi said Anand was brought to IKDRC after he suffered severe fungal infection in his throat and chest. He also suffered from kidney and heart problem.

The veteran singer was treated for nearly three months and sent home after his condition stabilised. He, however, continued to suffer from a weak heart which led to weakness in his body. Anand was also finding it difficult to sing.

“Anand’s heart pulsation was 30 per cent which was half the normal rate. We decided to treat him with stem cell therapy wherein mesenchymal cells were developed from the fat taken out from his abdominal wall. These were then grown on a special media to develop into cardiomyocytes and processed with stem cells with CD 34 markers, which are obtained from the bone marrow.

“Nearly 100 cc of this mix of stem cells was injected into his heart circulation in the right artery. The results are encouraging as he his heart pulsation is 40 per cent,” said Trivedi.

Trivedi said this therapy is expected to help Anand for the next three months after which doctors will consider giving him yet another dose of stem cells to further improve the singer’s heart functioning.

“I feel good that I can sing,” said Anand.

More information on stem cell treatments and therapies around the world can be found here.