The Future is Bright for Stem Cell Treatments
Considering the many emerging research studies on possible cord blood and cord tissue stem cell use, the future of stem cell treatments is very bright. Only the surface has been scratched when it comes to discovering the potential of these cells to treat diseases and disorders. New technologies that allow for the expansion of cord blood cells means that effective autologous therapy will be achievable well into adulthood. Additionally, research has shown that cord blood stem cells can also be effectively used for regeneration or repair, of non-hematopoietic tissues, such as the repair of joint damage through cartilage regeneration. Studies have also demonstrated that these cells are effective at modulating/reducing inflammation, and in the treatment of neurological disorders (ie. ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, Stroke) that can occur later in life. Keeping up with the latest news inspires hope in the future.
Latest News
Stem Cells Restore Motor Function to Stroke Patients
Researchers at Stanford reported that they are “stunned” by the results of an experimental treatment to treat stroke patients. The study in which stem cells were injected directly into the brains of stroke patients, resulted in motor function being restored in some of the patients. Though designed initially to look at the safety of such a procedure as opposed to its effectives, nonetheless, it is creating significant buzz in the neuroscience community because the results appear to contradict a core belief about brain damage — that it is permanent and irreversible.
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How a clinical trial could change the face of Parkinson's Disease
The use of stem cells to treat diseases has gained enormous traction over the past decade. These cells, taken from umbilical cord blood and bone marrow are special because they can be manipulated into other cells: a heart, blood or brain cell. They can replace damaged tissue with healthy tissue, and that's essentially what these scientists are trying to do in this clinical trial; replace the nerve cells that die off when someone gets Parkinson's disease.
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Stem cells from cord tissue may be able to treat osteoporosis in the future
Osteoporosis affects over 200M people worldwide and, unlike post-menopausal (type-I) osteoporosis, both women and men are equally susceptible to developing the age-related (type-II) form of this chronic disease. Research published this week in Stem Cells Translation Medicine indicates that an injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could restore normal bone structure in people suffering from type-II osteoporosis. Umbilical cord tissue is a readily available source of MSCs.
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Umbilical Cord Tissue for Tough to Treat Wounds
Unfortunately, it is common for diabetic patients to get wounds on their feet. In fact, amputation is a big risk for diabetics. Fortunately, stem cells from umbilical cord tissue are being used to treat these and other wounds. “We’re using the stem cells and the growth factors of this tissue together to make a graft for a patient,” says Foot Surgeon Dr. Andrew Rice at Fairfield County Foot Surgeons.
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Recent Trial Shows the Promise of Cord Blood Stem Cells to Treat Parkinson’s
Umbilical cord blood stem cells continue to be at the forefront of treating neurological disorders. These powerful stem cells have already been shown to have a restore varying degrees neurological capacity for a number of disorders such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. Now, a recent study suggests that cord blood stem cells can improve motor dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease.
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Umbilical cord blood stem cells kill cancer quicker than adult cells
New research results suggest that stem cells in umbilical cord blood are better at destroying leukemia cells than adult stem cells. Umbilical cord blood is increasingly being used instead of bone marrow transplants because the risk of rejection is lower with the immature cells. While cord blood stem cells haven’t had the “training” that adult stem cells have had, “it seems they can pitch straight in without practice,” says research team member Paul Veys of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. “The implication is that using cord blood may be a better choice to mop up leukemia,” he says.
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Stem Cells Offer New Ways to Repair Joints
The normal tendon, when we repair it, heals with scar tissue. That’s where the stem cells come in. Instead of scar tissue taking over, the hope is that the stem cells, which have the ability to differentiate, will help generate more normal anatomy.
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Congress Approves Stem Cell Act Reauthorization
Legislation reauthorizing the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act has been overwhelmingly passed by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The bill authorizes $23 million per year for the next five years for cord blood inventory growth and diversity. The Cord Blood Association, together with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), worked tirelessly with members of Congress this year and testified in support of the legislation that totals $115 million for five years for the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) and $150 million in that same period for blood and marrow transplant programs through the C.W. Bill Young Transplantation Program.
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Umbilical Stem Cells Help Retinal Neurons Grow
Stem cell therapy has shown immense potential for the treatment of neurological disorders. Now, research has shown that stem cells found in human umbilical cord tissue could one day be used to treat degenerative eye diseases.
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Blood of world's oldest woman hints at limits of life
Researchers have now examined her blood and other tissues to see how they were affected by age. What they found suggests, as we could perhaps expect, that our lifespan might ultimately be limited by the capacity for stem cells to keep replenishing tissues day in day out.
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