Expecting Post-Stimulus Catalyst for Stem Cell Research Companies

The accompanying table (click to enlarge) includes 26 companies in the ETF Innovators Emerging Stem Cell Index, which lost 7% of its market value in the past week (at 1,148 today) and posted a 15.2% loss over the past year on an equal-weight basis.

Results for benchmark indexes and ETFs include gains of 1.5% for the Cosmetic and Restorative Medicine Index and losses of 1.2% for SPDR S&P Biotech (XBI), 18.7% for Healthcare Sector SPDR (XLV), 7.2% for iShares Nasdaq Biotech (IBB), and 17.7% for PowerShares Biotech & Genome (PBE).

The next catalyst expected for stem cell and regenerative medicine companies is federal funding for stem cell research, which has been blocked by the previous administration for the past eight years. Look for an announcement soon to provide an upside catalyst for these companies now that the economic stimulus plan is expected to be finalized by Tuesday.

The decline in stem cell stocks over the past week was led by Geron (GERN), which declined by nearly 20% on Friday after the Company sold over 7M shares in a financing deal that will close on 2/19/09. Below is a summary and website links for the 26 companies included in the ETF Innovators Emerging Stem Cell Index, which are now featured at here.

StemCells (STEM) engages in clinical and preclinical research and development for human neural stem cells and liver engrafting cells. Earlier stage preclinical work is focused on spinal cord injuries, myelin, and retinal disorders.

BioMimetic Therapeutics (BMTI) develops regenerative medicine device/therapeutic combination products for bio-therapeutic applications for orthopedic/spine, sports medicine, and dental procedures.

RTI Biologics (RTIX) is a provider of bio-implants and grafts to promote healing and repair for orthopedic/spinal applications, sports medicine, bone graft substitutes, and cardiovascular applications.

Cytori Therapeutics (CYTX) is a commercial-stage regenerative medicine company which is developing the Celution System to process a patient's own fat (adipose) tissue in about one hour for a variety of reconstructive and cosmetic medicine therapeutic applications.

CYTX also offers StemSource Cell Banking for a patient to preserve their own adipose-derived stem + regenerative cells (ADRCs) for use in the future as ongoing clinical trials establish the safety and effectiveness for cardiovascular disease, breast reconstruction/augmentation, liver disease, kidney failure, orthopedic/spinal disc regeneration, and gastrointestinal disorders.

CYTX currently offers its products and services in Japan and Europe along with two key strategic partners – Olympus Corp. (OCPNY.PK) (a strategic investor + medical device partner for Celution System) and Green Hospital Supply (GHSPF.PK) (a strategic investor + partner for StemSource Cell Banking, initially targeting hospitals in Japan).

Aastrom Biosciences (ASTM) is developing autologous (derived from the patient) cell products for the repair and regeneration of human tissue. Aastrom's Tissue Repair Cell (TRC) technology utilizes a patient's own bone marrow as the source of progenitor and stem cells for use in cardiac and vascular tissue regeneration.

Mesoblast (MBLTY.PK) (Australia: MSB.AX) is an adult stem cell company focused on commercializing RepliCart for bone and cartilage repair and regeneration, with recent approval to conduct a Phase 2 clinical trial for knee osteoarthritis. Mesoblast also has a U.S. subsidiary focused on cardiovascular applications for its regenerative medicine technology.

BioTime (BTIM.OB) offers blood plasma expanders such as Hextend along with its Embryome Sciences subsidiary, which includes 11 new cell lines that will be marketed to universities and bio-pharma companies for use in research programs focused on developing new cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative disease, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis, as well as other potential applications in the emerging field of regenerative medicine.

Osteotech (OSTE) provides OsteoBiologic solutions for regenerative medicine applications to repair and replace bone loss caused by trauma or disease, augment prosthetic implant procedures, facilitate spinal fusion, and replace/repair damaged ligaments and tendons.

Neuralstem (CUR) manufactures human neural stem cells for research grant and collaborative programs and outsources the manufacturing and storage of its stem cells for use in pre-clinical studies to Charles River Labs (CRL).

RegeneRx Biopharma (RGN) has developed three drug product candidates based on a peptide molecule (Thymosin beta 4), which demonstrates promise for a variety of tissue and organ repair applications. RGN-137 is a topical gel product for healing chronic dermal wounds. RGN-259 is an eye drop for ophthalmic injuries. RGN-352 is an injectable treatment for heart attacks.

ThermoGenesis (KOOL) is a commercial-stage provider of systems for the storage and processing of adult stem cells derived from cord blood and bone marrow. KOOL offers the AutoXpress Platform (AXP) (cord blood processing) as a family of automated devices which includes the MarrowXpress (bone marrow processing) and related disposables as a closed system to process and collect adult stem cells.

The CryoSeal FS System produces fibrin sealants from blood in about one hour for use in liver resection surgeries. KOOL also expects to enter the veterinary stem cell market under the Vantus brand and plans to launch Res-Q (a system for real-time processing of bone marrow and platelet rich plasma processing) during its fiscal 4Q09 as the Company hopes to achieve profitability during 2010.

Athersys (ATHX) collaborates with Angiotech Pharma (ANPI) to develop MultiStem for the treatment of damage caused by heart attacks, peripheral vascular disease, and strokes in addition to support for stem cell transplants.

Advanced Cell Technology (ACTC.PK) focuses on human embryonic and adult stem cell technology, with FDA approval to begin Phase 2 clinical trials for adult stem cell technologies, which are focused on cardiovascular disease and transplants.

International Stem Cell Corp (ISCO.OB) offers a unique technology technology, Parthenogenesis, which results in the creation of pluripotent (ability to differentiate into a variety of unique cell types) human stem cell lines from unfertilized human eggs. ISCO's technology has the potential to eliminate the rejection of stem cell transplants, avoid ethical issues by eliminating the need for fertilized embryos, and produce specialized cells for research applications.

Bioheart (BHRT) recently secured private financing commitments for up to $7M and recently announced a grant-funded study in Italy for the Bioheart A&C Bio Science Twin-Pulsatile Life Support System which is expected to be completed within just 45 days with the potential for $2.1M in contract sales if results are positive.

BHRT develops devices and biological therapeutics for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cardiovascular disease and heart failure. MyoCell is the Company's lead product candidate, which represents a muscle-derived stem cell therapy designed to improve heart function by replacing scar tissue with living cells to restore function.

Pluristem Therapeutics (PSTI) has developed a pipeline of product candidates derived from the human placenta and processed by the Company's PluriX bio-reactor as allogeneic (ready-to-use, non-personalized cell therapy products). The Company's pipeline includes product candidates for the treatement of peripheral artery disease (PLX-PAD), inflammatory bowel disease (PLX-IBD), multiple sclerosis (PLX-MS), bone marrow transplants (PLX-BMT), and ischemic stroke (PLX-STROKE).

HepaLife Technologies (HPLF.OB) cell-based technologies under development include an artificial liver device (HepaMate), in-vitro toxicology and pre-clinical drug testing platforms, and cell-culture based vaccine production methods for the manufacture of vaccines against H5N1 avian influenza and other viruses.

Stem Cell Innovations (SCLL.PK) is a develop-stage company focused on its C3A human liver cell line for the production of human serum proteins, including the clotting factors, Factor VIII and Factor IX, used by hemophiliacs to allow their blood to clot.

Isolagen (ILE) develops products for skin and tissue rejuvenation which are designed to improve the appearance of skin injured by the effects of aging, sun exposure, acne, and burn scars using a patient’s own (autologous) fibroblast cells produced by its Isolagen Process for therapeutic and cosmetic medicine applications.

CellCyte Genetics (CCYG.OB) is a development-stage company focused on cell expansion and cell maintenance through the use of its patented bioreactor technology. The Company’s therapeutic focus is on investigative collaborations to research and develop compounds to allow the safe and efficient non-invasive delivery of stem cells through the patient’s own circulatory system to a diseased or damaged organ.

Cryo-Cell (CCEL.OB) offers cellular processing and cryogenic storage, with a focus on the collection and preservation of umbilical cord blood stem cells as a family cord blood stem cell bank and preserves the specimens in commercially available cryogenic storage equipment.

Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics (BCLI.OB) is a development-stage company focused on focused on using a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells to generate neuron-like cells that provide treatment for Parkinson’s Disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injuries.

Opexa Therapeutics (OPXA) develops autologous (patient-derived) cell-based therapies to treat multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and diabetes based on the Company’s T-cell and adult stem cell technologies. Opexa's lead product candidate is Tovaxin (a T-cell based therapeutic vaccine) for MS which is in a Phase 2b clinical trial.

Neostem (NBS) operates a commercial, autologous (patient-derived) adult stem cell bank for the pre-disease collection, processing and long-term storage of stem cells from adult donors that they can access for their own future medical treatment. The Company manages a network of adult stem cell collection centers throughout the U.S. and conducts research to identify and isolate rare stem cells from bone marrow.

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group (BMSN.OB) is a provider of disposable instruments and medical devices which are used in stem cell extraction and tissue transfer procedures and also operates cryogenic stem cell banking facilities.

Cord Blood America (CBAI.OB) preserves umbilical cord blood stem cells through a quick and non-invasive procedure at the time of birth. CBAI is focused on marketing initiatives to increase awareness of their services, which literally represent a once in a lifetime opportunity to collect and preserve cord blood stem cells which can be used in the future to treat dozens of conditions with the promise of even more medical breakthroughs with the FDA ruling to allow human stem cell testing and pending federal funding for stem cell research.

Comments

[User 357932:]

You should point out that ACTC is the only company with a method for harvesting embryonic stem cells that does no harm to the embryo.

Feb 16 12:05 PM

[Stem cell C:]

Thermogenesis (KOOL) is the best stem cell therapy play, it's growing fast and no real competition. This will be one of the best buys for 2009 and beyond.

Feb 16 12:25 PM

[Stem cell C:]

There are now 194 KOOL's BioArchives in use all over the world and increasing fast every quarter....

Who were the buyers of bio-Archive? Bio-Archive preserve stem cells in little bags within a small stainless steel cassette, operated by a robotic arm and those little bags are part of the bigger disposable bags....Therefore anyone who bought Bio-Archive had to be the buyer of either AXP Xpress, MXP or the coming Res-Q line of products.

And those AXP and MXP and Res-Q buyers have been the non-stop consumers of the disposable bags. SO DO the buyers of future Res-Q line of products.

This is like a snow-ball rolling business, very interesting and if you consider how big the market for Res-Q's is, it's at least a staggering 100 times of the cord blood business.

Now we're just at dawn of entering Res-Q market and the BOD wanted them to get profitable from cord blood business alone first because it's a market that we can dominate now and it will guarantee us a "sustainable profitability" no matter how fast or slow they can kick Res-Q line of products up in high gear.

Most people only look at KOOL for cord blood business, I think they saw trees but they did not see the forest behind the front row of trees.

Feb 16 01:00 PM

[Rage1979:]

Intellectual Property controls and drives this sector (and will for the foreseeable future). By that analysis there are only two real players in the broader stem cell market (GERN/ACTC). Some others are niche plays within the market, but almost all other companies will need to license one or more patents from GERN or ACTC.

Dont be fooled by companies that trend water off their fancy "stem cell" related names...

Feb 17 03:05 AM

[User 358420:]

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Scientists at NY University College of Medicine have shown that Niacinamide is superior to antibiotics such as Clindamycin in controlling acne.
Try "Niapads" (it contains Niacinamide) for controlling your acne. It’s Simple for Pimple(C). One step process provides exfoliation, skin lightening, pore cleansing and prevention of acne.
Visit niapads.com for details. Available on Amazon and EBay. (Amazon for worldwide shipping).

Feb 17 07:00 AM

[USisCorrupt:]

ACTC & Dr. Lanza is 2nd to NO other Stem Cell Company that is out there now. I am expecting very good things from Advanced Cell going forward. It would not surprise me at ALL for Obama to appoint Dr. Lanza to his team on the stem cell issue.

Feb 17 08:07 AM

[fran2961:]

SCLL has patents for pluripotent stem cells that does no harm to the embryo as well and that is the only 0.01 stock with ps.


On Feb 16 12:05 PM User 357932 wrote:

> You should point out that ACTC is the only company with a method
> for harvesting embryonic stem cells that does no harm to the embryo.

Feb 17 08:51 AM

[fran2961:]

SCLL
Germ cells and stem cells that they extract from aborted fetuses rather than from, destroyed embryos (bypassing the limitations on funding).
They also have numerous patents that protect the techniques for extracting and producing such stem cells, which means that the company will either receive funding from the research labs that utilize their cells or royalties from any commercial lab that obtains a license to produce such cells. Upon Obama‘s administration that lift the previous hold accounted by Bush on Stem Cell development. They have recently filed a new patent for pluripotent stem cells which is a must have to get $ from Obama.
SCLL is the only one with a solid foundation and pillars to build upon at 0.01. They have secured and implemented interesting and advancing patents.

Feb 17 09:13 AM

[CLH:]

Dont waste your money on stem cell companies. So far nothing of value has come from this research. Let the govt. waste their money. They are good at it.

Feb 17 03:18 PM

[Vladimir:]

With Pres. Obama now lifting the veil on stem cell therapy and the like, I wonder how far high the stocks will soar in the next six months. I purchased over 2000 shares of of ACTC late December, and I watched it got up from seven cents to almost thirty in a few weeks! This costs chump change (.18/share) to the real investors out there, however, anyone out there that is like me, put your pocket change toward the bright future. Stemcell research and therapy is where your money will grow exponentially!

Feb 17 04:34 PM

[valueinvest...:]

ATHX Athersys is the only stem cell company trading at below cash. Has $35 million in cash a $16 million market cap. Very similar to Osiris(OSIR) platform. Research from Lazard Lerrink and cowen. Orbimed is their biggest investor. This is a real company. Most of the ones u have listed are crap and never will make it. ATHX has an off the shelf adult stem cell drug

Feb 19 11:55 PM

[bobby joe:]

when is the ban going to be lifted? ACTC has made a remarkable move higher. Does anyone think it has any further upside from here? does it have a sustainable future? i.e. getting to the 2.51 price target?

Feb 20 09:54 AM

[wholesalecd:]

WTF....You people will do anything to advertise CRAP!

Get a life and get a real job


On Feb 17 07:00 AM User 358420 wrote:

> Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), applied topically, is beneficial for reducing
> Acne, skin hyper-pigmentation (acne scars), increasing skin moisture
> and reducing fine wrinkles.
> Scientists at NY University College of Medicine have shown that Niacinamide
> is superior to antibiotics such as Clindamycin in controlling acne.
>
> Try "Niapads" (it contains Niacinamide) for controlling your acne.
> It’s Simple for Pimple(seekingalpha.com/symbo...). One step
> process provides exfoliation, skin lightening, pore cleansing and
> prevention of acne.
> Visit niapads.com for details. Available on Amazon and EBay.
> (Amazon for worldwide shipping).
>

Mar 07 10:23 PM

[Maximoh:]

It was only just about 3 weeks ago that James H. Kelly, CEO of SCLL
stated: "We are exploring ways to fund our activities in this area
through a spin out or an acquisition,"

I believe that an important move as the one stated above takes time to
happen. It seems, that many SCLL investors, just want this to happen
NOW. I am certain that a lot of good news will come our way on due
time, but I hope that important decisions will not be made on the spur
of the moment.


If you read this Mr. Kelly, I hope you take your time and do the right
thing at the right time. Good things will come to those that learn to
wait.

Mar 15 10:36 AM

[quiact:]

Over 100 years ago, a Russian histologist suggested stem cells be applied for scientific research. They are the human body’s equivalent of a generator, as they can renew, regenerate, and replicate under the right conditions.

The apex of cellular therapy and regenerative/reparative medicine has been reborn after an 8 year moratorium that basically halted federal funding for stem cell research with most states in the U.S.

Now the NIH can award grants to scientists involved with biomedical research involving stem cell therapy through the CMS to each state in the U.S.

While never banned, stem cell research had limited funding during this time. And this was unfortunate, because there are several likely uses of stem cells.

These uses include the replacement of tissues in the human body, as well as repairing cell types that are defective. Also, stem cells can deliver genetic therapies that are needed in certain patients.

ESCs are totiplotent if obtained from the morula which is a pre-blastocyst stage. Normally, the stem cells are acquired from the blastocyst itself. From this source, the stem cells can be any cell in the human body except for the placenta, and are pluripotent.

Embryonic stem cells are obtained from a 4 day old embryo called a blastocyst, and are pluripotent from this source. The blastocyst contains about 100 cells, and is not suitable at this stage for implantation into the uterine wall.

The inner core of the blastocyst has about 20 cells, and this is where stem cells are obtained.

These cells are unspecialized cells that can be developed or morphed into the over 200 cells available in the human body through differentiation, as ESCs are undifferentiated by nature.

As such, they can become any human cell, as long as they are prevented from clumping or crowding together when explanted into cultures as they are propagated. After stem cells are cultured, they are moved to what are called stem lines.

Until recently, ESCs were believed to be most beneficial instead of the adult stem cell alternative (ASC), as these stem cells are limited to application to the tissue the stem cells were obtained from only. However ASCs (somatic stem cells) now can be coerced into differentiation through plasticity (trans-differentiation). This likely will reduce if not eliminate those opposed to stem cell therapy because of moral and ethical reasons related to the utilization of ESCs.

Thanks to molecular biology, four transcription factors control the transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNAS to regulate gene expression. So ASCs can have the same beneficial qualities as ESCs.

In the past, viral vectors and exotic genes interfered with the purity of ASCs. Now ASCs are re-programmed using plasmids instead of viruses and oncogenes that can become detrimental for the patient treated.

So now, ASCs can safely become induced pluripotent cells with the same potential as ESCs. As a result, the ASCs are free of genetic artifacts that potentially can interfere with transgene sequences.

They are capable of, and are able to renew and reproduce with minimal effort, stem cells, under the right laboratory conditions.

Human blood can be reproduced with stem cells under the right conditions, it has been shown by researchers.

SCT can also be used to investigate disease states for better treatment options.

Disease-specific stem cell lines, which are those cells that are pluripotent and are created with the same genetic errors of certain diseases, are studied for this reason.

So there clearly is a huge potential for stem cell-based therapies. The first FDA approved clinical trial occurred early in 2009. This human trial will involve evaluating primarily the safety of ESCs designed to be used as treatment for spinal cord injury patients. The trial was submitted by Geron Corp.

Pfizer, the largest drug company, has implemented stem cell research, as they are an asset to drug discovery by creating within the organization a regenerative medicine unit. Other large pharma companies are implemented similar research protocols for the same reasons.

Geron Corp. in California is the world’s leading esc developer, and financed researchers at Univ. of Wisconsin, who isolated the first human esc in 1998.

Stem cell therapy potentially can cure multiple sclerosis, among other disases and those with damaged human tissue. The therapy prevents the advancement of disease, as well as reverses the neurological dysfunctions associated with MS. Patients are injected with their own stem cells obtained from their bone marrow, which are called haemopoietic stem cells.

These particular stem cells are the origin of all blood cells. Further large clinical trials are needed to support these results. Studies have shown between 70 and 80 percent of MS patients who received stem cell therapy did not relapse afterwards.

Allogenic, or donor transplants, have a risk of graft versus host disease. Autologous, which is the patient’s own stem cells, are preferable and most beneficial. Similar results from this autologous bone marrow transplant cellular therapy are seen with Chron’s disease as well.

During the procedure, the immune system is reset so it is not in an autoimmune state where it attacks the human body. The process lasts about 2 months, and consists of 6phases:

1. Initial chemo
2. Release of stem cells
3. Acquisition of stem cells
4. Cells are then frozen until ready for transplant
5. Second chemo to reduce leukocytes
6. Autologous stem-cell transplant. Immune system is reset.

Positive results from stem cell therapy are seen usually within a month, and patients can request another treatment about 6 months after the first treatment presently. This stem cell paradigm of therapy addresses the etiology of a disease state, instead of focusing on the symptoms only. As such, this is the practice of regenerative medicine with the implementation of SCT.

Some believe ethical restraints are needed regarding the use of ESCs for therapeutic reasons. Yet they improve the quality of life of those with devastating diseases which involves suffering without any relief.

So stem cell therapy and research may be the most right and ethical thing to do for such patients. Not only is the tremedous suffering relieved with those possessed with devistating diseases, their functional ability is restored for those who receive stem cell therapy.

Embryos are acquired from fertility clinics (IVFs) that have thousands routinely stored and are abnormally fertilized. This means that they could never go on to become a human, and would be destroyed otherwise.

Ironically, one could argue it is inappropriate to discard what may be valuable and ethical for others, potentially.

Most couples with frozen embryos would gladly give them to such research, surveys have concluded.

These embryos are believed by many to not be morally equivalent to human life, but only have the potential for life. And they are used for therapeutic cloning, known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, and not reproductive cloning.

Ten states have banned this cloning out of ignorance, it seems. Bioethic principles, which are beneficience, or physician-centered decisions, as well as non-maleficence, which is first do no harm, are not corrupted.

Furthermore, autonomy, which is the patient’s right to determine their health, and justice or fairness remain intact.

Stem cells should be utilized for those terminally ill as well, many believe. Many are seeking stem cell therapy overseas due to retrictions that exist in the U.S. presently. The United Kingdom is believed to be the leader in stem cell research p

Apr 02 12:02 AM

[Mike Havrilla:]

Please visit my website and let me know if you would like to contribute articles such as your reply below. [e-mail]


On Apr 02 12:02 AM quiact wrote:

> Over 100 years ago, a Russian histologist suggested stem cells be
> applied for scientific research. They are the human body’s equivalent
> of a generator, as they can renew, regenerate, and replicate under
> the right conditions.
>
> The apex of cellular therapy and regenerative/reparative medicine
> has been reborn after an 8 year moratorium that basically halted
> federal funding for stem cell research with most states in the U.S.
>
>
> Now the NIH can award grants to scientists involved with biomedical
> research involving stem cell therapy through the CMS to each state
> in the U.S.
>
> While never banned, stem cell research had limited funding during
> this time. And this was unfortunate, because there are several likely
> uses of stem cells.
>
> These uses include the replacement of tissues in the human body,
> as well as repairing cell types that are defective. Also, stem cells
> can deliver genetic therapies that are needed in certain patients.
>
>
> ESCs are totiplotent if obtained from the morula which is a pre-blastocyst
> stage. Normally, the stem cells are acquired from the blastocyst
> itself. From this source, the stem cells can be any cell in the human
> body except for the placenta, and are pluripotent.
>
> Embryonic stem cells are obtained from a 4 day old embryo called
> a blastocyst, and are pluripotent from this source. The blastocyst
> contains about 100 cells, and is not suitable at this stage for implantation
> into the uterine wall.
>
> The inner core of the blastocyst has about 20 cells, and this is
> where stem cells are obtained.
>
> These cells are unspecialized cells that can be developed or morphed
> into the over 200 cells available in the human body through differentiation,
> as ESCs are undifferentiated by nature.
>
> As such, they can become any human cell, as long as they are prevented
> from clumping or crowding together when explanted into cultures as
> they are propagated. After stem cells are cultured, they are moved
> to what are called stem lines.
>
> Until recently, ESCs were believed to be most beneficial instead
> of the adult stem cell alternative (seekingalpha.com/symbo...),
> as these stem cells are limited to application to the tissue the
> stem cells were obtained from only. However ASCs (somatic stem cells)
> now can be coerced into differentiation through plasticity (trans-differentiation).
> This likely will reduce if not eliminate those opposed to stem cell
> therapy because of moral and ethical reasons related to the utilization
> of ESCs.
>
> Thanks to molecular biology, four transcription factors control the
> transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNAS to regulate gene
> expression. So ASCs can have the same beneficial qualities as ESCs.
>
>
> In the past, viral vectors and exotic genes interfered with the purity
> of ASCs. Now ASCs are re-programmed using plasmids instead of viruses
> and oncogenes that can become detrimental for the patient treated.
>
>
> So now, ASCs can safely become induced pluripotent cells with the
> same potential as ESCs. As a result, the ASCs are free of genetic
> artifacts that potentially can interfere with transgene sequences.
>
>
> They are capable of, and are able to renew and reproduce with minimal
> effort, stem cells, under the right laboratory conditions.
>
> Human blood can be reproduced with stem cells under the right conditions,
> it has been shown by researchers.
>
> SCT can also be used to investigate disease states for better treatment
> options.
>
> Disease-specific stem cell lines, which are those cells that are
> pluripotent and are created with the same genetic errors of certain
> diseases, are studied for this reason.
>
> So there clearly is a huge potential for stem cell-based therapies.
> The first FDA approved clinical trial occurred early in 2009. This
> human trial will involve evaluating primarily the safety of ESCs
> designed to be used as treatment for spinal cord injury patients.
> The trial was submitted by Geron Corp.
>
> Pfizer, the largest drug company, has implemented stem cell research,
> as they are an asset to drug discovery by creating within the organization
> a regenerative medicine unit. Other large pharma companies are implemented
> similar research protocols for the same reasons.
>
> Geron Corp. in California is the world’s leading esc developer, and
> financed researchers at Univ. of Wisconsin, who isolated the first
> human esc in 1998.
>
> Stem cell therapy potentially can cure multiple sclerosis, among
> other disases and those with damaged human tissue. The therapy prevents
> the advancement of disease, as well as reverses the neurological
> dysfunctions associated with MS. Patients are injected with their
> own stem cells obtained from their bone marrow, which are called
> haemopoietic stem cells.
>
> These particular stem cells are the origin of all blood cells. Further
> large clinical trials are needed to support these results. Studies
> have shown between 70 and 80 percent of MS patients who received
> stem cell therapy did not relapse afterwards.
>
> Allogenic, or donor transplants, have a risk of graft versus host
> disease. Autologous, which is the patient’s own stem cells, are preferable
> and most beneficial. Similar results from this autologous bone marrow
> transplant cellular therapy are seen with Chron’s disease as well.
>
>
> During the procedure, the immune system is reset so it is not in
> an autoimmune state where it attacks the human body. The process
> lasts about 2 months, and consists of 6phases:
>
> 1. Initial chemo
> 2. Release of stem cells
> 3. Acquisition of stem cells
> 4. Cells are then frozen until ready for transplant
> 5. Second chemo to reduce leukocytes
> 6. Autologous stem-cell transplant. Immune system is reset.
>
> Positive results from stem cell therapy are seen usually within a
> month, and patients can request another treatment about 6 months
> after the first treatment presently. This stem cell paradigm of therapy
> addresses the etiology of a disease state, instead of focusing on
> the symptoms only. As such, this is the practice of regenerative
> medicine with the implementation of SCT.
>
> Some believe ethical restraints are needed regarding the use of ESCs
> for therapeutic reasons. Yet they improve the quality of life of
> those with devastating diseases which involves suffering without
> any relief.
>
> So stem cell therapy and research may be the most right and ethical
> thing to do for such patients. Not only is the tremedous suffering
> relieved with those possessed with devistating diseases, their functional
> ability is restored for those who receive stem cell therapy.
>
> Embryos are acquired from fertility clinics (IVFs) that have thousands
> routinely stored and are abnormally fertilized. This means that they
> could never go on to become a human, and would be destroyed otherwise.
>
>
> Ironically, one could argue it is inappropriate to discard what may
> be valuable and ethical for others, potentially.
>
> Most couples with frozen embryos would gladly give them to such research,
> surveys have concluded.
>
> These embryos are believed by many to not be morally equivalent to
> human life, but only have the potential for life. And they are used
> for therapeutic cloning, known as somatic cell nuclear transfer,
> and not reproductive cloning.
>
> Ten states have banned this cloning out of ignorance, it seems. Bioethic
> principles, which are beneficience, or physician-centered decisions,
> as well as non-maleficence, which is first do no harm, are not corrupted.
>
>
> Furthermore, autonomy, which is the patient’s right to determine
> their health, and justice or fairness remain intact.
>
> Stem cells should be utilized for those terminally ill as well, many
> believe. Many are seeking stem cell therapy overseas due to retrictions
> that exist in the U.S. presently. The United Kingdom is believed
> to be the leader in stem cell research p
>

Apr 05 08:19 AM