Here is a synopsis on a story regarding stem cell therapy for stroke victims...
Detroit Red Wings hockey legend Gordie Howe is reported to be making a dramatic recovery after undergoing stem cell therapy in December, 2014. He reportedly had the treatment performed in Tijuana, Mexico. His health had been declining over the past many months due to a series of strokes.
The 86 year old legend actually attended a dementia fundraiser in Canada over the weekend of February 6, 2015, a trip that his family had previously said he was too ill to make. However, he has had such a dramatic improvement in his health since the stem cell therapy that he was able to make the long trip.
His son, Mark Howe, publicly stated that prior to December his father had almost completely stopped functioning in any normal manner. He noted an almost immediate improvement after the treatment, with his father now able to walk on his own, feed himself, and help fold laundry, all of which he was previously unable to do.
The therapy were performed in Mexico where there are less restrictions on stem cell treatments. Gordie was interested in a study in the US but one of the criteria is waiting until at least 6 months after the stroke. There is some preliminary data suggesting that the earlier the treatment after a stroke, the better. Thus the Howe family elected to have treatment sooner in Mexico.
To see more from an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune updated on Feb. 7, 2015, please follow this link:
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/dec/25/gordie-howe-stem-cell-stemedica-novastem-hockey/
Monday, February 23, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
The Obesity - Cancer Connection
A team of researchers from Tulane University published a very intriguing report in the February 2015 issue of Stem Cells that focuses on the manner in which stem cells directly influence obesity-associated cancers.
These findings have profound effects in our understanding of adipose (fat) cells, adipose stem cells (ASC's), and cancer cells specifically related to obesity. The interplay between these is not only fascinating, but also may lead to future treatments for a variety of these types of cancer.
This study is especially important at a time when the obesity rates globally continue to increase. It is estimated that one third of American adults are obese, meaning over 80 million people in this country alone. The World Cancer Research Fund used meta-analysis research in 2007 to study the effects of obesity on incidence of cancer and the associated mortality. They found that as fat levels increase, so do the rates of colorectal, renal, and postmenopausal breast carcinomas. See the website at http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/link-between-lifestyle-cancer-risk/cancers-linked-greater-body-fatness. A number of other studies have also shown increases in cancer among obese patients - this includes prostate, endometrial, liver, ovarian, and esophageal cancers, along with hematological malignancies, and certain lymphomas and melanomas.
Here are some more links in regards to specific cancers:
General obesity - http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(02)00849-5/abstract?cc=y ; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19824817
Prostate cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17507151
Endometrial cancer - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.12106/abstract ;
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ogi/2011/308609/
Liver cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15508109
Ovarian cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23402904
This is only a very small amount of data in regards to this topic, as a complete list of the studies is too numerous to provide here.
This previous research found a link between obesity and certain cancers, yet the actual causal mechanism had not been found. The just-published study suggests that stem cells are altered by obesity and integrate into the tumors themselves, providing support for tumor growth. Genes from ASC's in obese patients are expressed differently from those in normal wight individuals, and the data gathered tends to imply that the ASC's from obese patients have an increased propensity to assist cancer cells and further their survival. The number of stem cells in circulation was significantly greater in obese patients, even further increasing the likelihood of these ASC's having the opportunity to migrate to the tumor site and encourage further cancer growth. And finally, the ASC's from the obese population expressed a greater amount of certain chemical factors that aid cancer cell proliferation and even migration/metastasis.
These findings are just the beginning in terms of research on obesity-linked cancers. Future investigation will focus on how obesity changes our stem cells and predisposes to an increased incidence of cancer, and will also hopefully lead to information that might help eventually reduce cancer risk. Also, as growing research is showing, there will be ways to use stem cells to fight various cancers, by changing how the stem cells work and making them actually inhibit growth and even destroy cancer cells.
These findings have profound effects in our understanding of adipose (fat) cells, adipose stem cells (ASC's), and cancer cells specifically related to obesity. The interplay between these is not only fascinating, but also may lead to future treatments for a variety of these types of cancer.
This study is especially important at a time when the obesity rates globally continue to increase. It is estimated that one third of American adults are obese, meaning over 80 million people in this country alone. The World Cancer Research Fund used meta-analysis research in 2007 to study the effects of obesity on incidence of cancer and the associated mortality. They found that as fat levels increase, so do the rates of colorectal, renal, and postmenopausal breast carcinomas. See the website at http://www.wcrf.org/int/cancer-facts-figures/link-between-lifestyle-cancer-risk/cancers-linked-greater-body-fatness. A number of other studies have also shown increases in cancer among obese patients - this includes prostate, endometrial, liver, ovarian, and esophageal cancers, along with hematological malignancies, and certain lymphomas and melanomas.
Here are some more links in regards to specific cancers:
General obesity - http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(02)00849-5/abstract?cc=y ; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19824817
Prostate cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17507151
Endometrial cancer - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.12106/abstract ;
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ogi/2011/308609/
Liver cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15508109
Ovarian cancer - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23402904
This is only a very small amount of data in regards to this topic, as a complete list of the studies is too numerous to provide here.
This previous research found a link between obesity and certain cancers, yet the actual causal mechanism had not been found. The just-published study suggests that stem cells are altered by obesity and integrate into the tumors themselves, providing support for tumor growth. Genes from ASC's in obese patients are expressed differently from those in normal wight individuals, and the data gathered tends to imply that the ASC's from obese patients have an increased propensity to assist cancer cells and further their survival. The number of stem cells in circulation was significantly greater in obese patients, even further increasing the likelihood of these ASC's having the opportunity to migrate to the tumor site and encourage further cancer growth. And finally, the ASC's from the obese population expressed a greater amount of certain chemical factors that aid cancer cell proliferation and even migration/metastasis.
These findings are just the beginning in terms of research on obesity-linked cancers. Future investigation will focus on how obesity changes our stem cells and predisposes to an increased incidence of cancer, and will also hopefully lead to information that might help eventually reduce cancer risk. Also, as growing research is showing, there will be ways to use stem cells to fight various cancers, by changing how the stem cells work and making them actually inhibit growth and even destroy cancer cells.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Cancer-Killing Stem Cells
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have engineered cancer-killing stem cells in laboratory mice. These scientists, working specifically at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital, released the results of this pioneering study in the February 2015 issue of Stem Cells. Through experiments on mice, stem cells were genetically altered to produce and secrete toxins that specifically target brain tumors while causing no harm to themselves or normal brain cells in the process.
Genetic engineering allowed these researchers to develop a strain of stem cells that are resistant to the toxins they produce, while also secreting specific cytotoxins that kill glioblastoma tumors in the brain. The toxins are specifically a Pseudomonas exotoxin, which has previously been used as an antitumor agent. However, there had always been problems in the past with using this toxin clinically on patients; some of the issues encountered include difficulty reaching the tumor itself/off-target delivery, a short lifespan, and systemic toxicity. By altering the stem cells to overcome these issues, it has allowed for a novel approach to using this type of technology in a meaningful way. In the tests themselves, the stem cells were placed in a biodegradable synthetic gel and then placed at the site of the tumor, after it had been excised from the mouse brain. The cancer cells were then exposed to the toxins and died, while leaving the stem cells and normal tissue unharmed.
The next step in this research will be to test other therapies on the glioblastoma cancer cells in mice using the same delivery method. Then, eventually this technique will have to be tested on humans. Glioblastoma is the most common brain tumor in human adults, so this research is very relevant to survival of these patients.
This type of research also opens the door to using similar techniques to treat a wide array of solid tumors. Once again, this highlights the amazing abilities of stem cells in the future of modern medicine.
Genetic engineering allowed these researchers to develop a strain of stem cells that are resistant to the toxins they produce, while also secreting specific cytotoxins that kill glioblastoma tumors in the brain. The toxins are specifically a Pseudomonas exotoxin, which has previously been used as an antitumor agent. However, there had always been problems in the past with using this toxin clinically on patients; some of the issues encountered include difficulty reaching the tumor itself/off-target delivery, a short lifespan, and systemic toxicity. By altering the stem cells to overcome these issues, it has allowed for a novel approach to using this type of technology in a meaningful way. In the tests themselves, the stem cells were placed in a biodegradable synthetic gel and then placed at the site of the tumor, after it had been excised from the mouse brain. The cancer cells were then exposed to the toxins and died, while leaving the stem cells and normal tissue unharmed.
The next step in this research will be to test other therapies on the glioblastoma cancer cells in mice using the same delivery method. Then, eventually this technique will have to be tested on humans. Glioblastoma is the most common brain tumor in human adults, so this research is very relevant to survival of these patients.
This type of research also opens the door to using similar techniques to treat a wide array of solid tumors. Once again, this highlights the amazing abilities of stem cells in the future of modern medicine.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Stem Cells for Knee Pain
Case Report #2 - M.W.
This patient is a 48 year old female who presented complaining of pain in both knees due to arthritic changes. An orthopedic surgeon had suggested to her that she would need bilateral total knee replacement surgery. She did not want to undergo such drastic surgeries at this stage in her life and was eager to avoid it by trying an alternate therapy.
She had been active and athletic for most of her life, until a few years ago when her knees started giving her pain. As the pain worsened, she gradually had to give up her normal exercise routine and over the past couple of years had gained weight as well. She is otherwise in good health with no other medical issues. Unfortunately, she had been rather dependent upon non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) to control her pain, typically taking ibuprofen daily.
Her radiology studies showed bilateral medial compartment osteoarthritis, or degenerative changes in both knee joints, especially the inner portion on each leg. This is also consistent with where she experienced her pain. She actually had good range of motion when I saw her, and her pain was only evident when walking up or down steps. She had no evidence of ligament or tendon involvement.
I have all patients fill out a comprehensive pain questionnaire that involves three different types of assessments for pain. These include the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF-MPQ), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Present Pain Inventory Score (PPI). Her answers to these questions on the day of surgery were scored as 20, 67, and 3.5 respectively (for a total score of 91).
We developed a personalized pre-op plan involving supplements that appear to help viability of stem cells, along with her ceasing to take pain medications for the week prior to surgery.
She underwent manual liposuction and stem cell harvesting/isolation. We also drew blood and obtained platelet-rich plasma (PRP). I injected both knees with a mixture of stem cells and PRP, and she left our office with a plan to start physical therapy and also seek metabolic nutrition counseling through her medical plan. She went to the physical therapist 2 days after the procedure.
I saw her back in the office on post-op day #8. She stated that she felt less pain and that the exercises from the therapist seem to be helping strengthen her legs as well. Her pain scores were as follows: SF-MPQ = 14, VAS = 28, and PPI = 1.5, for a total of 44. This is roughly a 50% drop in her pain over one week. She had also avoided using NSAID's since the procedure. More impressive was the fact that in the past she had to help pull herself up her stairs at home by using the hand rail, due to knee pain. Over the past 3 days, she had been walking up the stairs without requiring assistance.
She will continue with physical therapy and her selected supplements, and is awaiting the nutritional service consult as well. This case just serves to illuminate the multiple factors that are involved in successful stem cell therapy. First and foremost, it takes a motivated patient who is willing to actually put in the time and effort necessary to make success happen. And it takes adjustments in diet and exercise to help augment the results.
This patient is a 48 year old female who presented complaining of pain in both knees due to arthritic changes. An orthopedic surgeon had suggested to her that she would need bilateral total knee replacement surgery. She did not want to undergo such drastic surgeries at this stage in her life and was eager to avoid it by trying an alternate therapy.
She had been active and athletic for most of her life, until a few years ago when her knees started giving her pain. As the pain worsened, she gradually had to give up her normal exercise routine and over the past couple of years had gained weight as well. She is otherwise in good health with no other medical issues. Unfortunately, she had been rather dependent upon non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's) to control her pain, typically taking ibuprofen daily.
Her radiology studies showed bilateral medial compartment osteoarthritis, or degenerative changes in both knee joints, especially the inner portion on each leg. This is also consistent with where she experienced her pain. She actually had good range of motion when I saw her, and her pain was only evident when walking up or down steps. She had no evidence of ligament or tendon involvement.
I have all patients fill out a comprehensive pain questionnaire that involves three different types of assessments for pain. These include the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire(SF-MPQ), the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Present Pain Inventory Score (PPI). Her answers to these questions on the day of surgery were scored as 20, 67, and 3.5 respectively (for a total score of 91).
We developed a personalized pre-op plan involving supplements that appear to help viability of stem cells, along with her ceasing to take pain medications for the week prior to surgery.
She underwent manual liposuction and stem cell harvesting/isolation. We also drew blood and obtained platelet-rich plasma (PRP). I injected both knees with a mixture of stem cells and PRP, and she left our office with a plan to start physical therapy and also seek metabolic nutrition counseling through her medical plan. She went to the physical therapist 2 days after the procedure.
I saw her back in the office on post-op day #8. She stated that she felt less pain and that the exercises from the therapist seem to be helping strengthen her legs as well. Her pain scores were as follows: SF-MPQ = 14, VAS = 28, and PPI = 1.5, for a total of 44. This is roughly a 50% drop in her pain over one week. She had also avoided using NSAID's since the procedure. More impressive was the fact that in the past she had to help pull herself up her stairs at home by using the hand rail, due to knee pain. Over the past 3 days, she had been walking up the stairs without requiring assistance.
She will continue with physical therapy and her selected supplements, and is awaiting the nutritional service consult as well. This case just serves to illuminate the multiple factors that are involved in successful stem cell therapy. First and foremost, it takes a motivated patient who is willing to actually put in the time and effort necessary to make success happen. And it takes adjustments in diet and exercise to help augment the results.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Stem Cells to Improve Failing Vision
In yet another amazing story in regenerative medicine, a woman in Japan received a retinal stem cell graft as therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), as first reported in September, 2014. She is the first of six patients who are to have this treatment, being performed at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan.
AMD is a major cause of visual loss and blindness in adults over the age of 50. The most common type is known as "dry" AMD (or central geographic atrophy), wherein vision loss occurs due to the loss of the photoreceptors known as rods and cones. There is no recognized medical or surgical treatment for this condition, although certain vitamin and supplement regimens may help. About 90% of cases are "dry" AMD. (The other type is known as "wet" AMD where vision loss occurs due to the abnormal growth of blood vessels. There are multiple medications that can help with this condition, although some require direct injections into the eye on a routine basis. The goal is to reduce the growth of these blood vessels and eliminate them.)
The woman mentioned earlier had skin cells harvested and then reprogrammed into specialized retinal pigment epithelial cells. This is a type of induced pluipotent stem cell (iPS), wherein a patient's own cells are induced into a stem cell line that is wanted for a particular type of tissue therapy. These cells were then grafted into her eye as a patch with the hope of allowing these cells to maintain her own rods and cones.
Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues at Kyoto University first discovered iPS cells in 2006; Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize for this work in 2012.
Mike Cheetham of the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (another site researching human embryonic stem cells and AMD) had this to say in regards to the Japanese trial - "If it goes well, it could be the start of a new era in personalized medicine."
AMD is a major cause of visual loss and blindness in adults over the age of 50. The most common type is known as "dry" AMD (or central geographic atrophy), wherein vision loss occurs due to the loss of the photoreceptors known as rods and cones. There is no recognized medical or surgical treatment for this condition, although certain vitamin and supplement regimens may help. About 90% of cases are "dry" AMD. (The other type is known as "wet" AMD where vision loss occurs due to the abnormal growth of blood vessels. There are multiple medications that can help with this condition, although some require direct injections into the eye on a routine basis. The goal is to reduce the growth of these blood vessels and eliminate them.)
The woman mentioned earlier had skin cells harvested and then reprogrammed into specialized retinal pigment epithelial cells. This is a type of induced pluipotent stem cell (iPS), wherein a patient's own cells are induced into a stem cell line that is wanted for a particular type of tissue therapy. These cells were then grafted into her eye as a patch with the hope of allowing these cells to maintain her own rods and cones.
Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues at Kyoto University first discovered iPS cells in 2006; Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize for this work in 2012.
Mike Cheetham of the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London (another site researching human embryonic stem cells and AMD) had this to say in regards to the Japanese trial - "If it goes well, it could be the start of a new era in personalized medicine."
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
PRP, Microneedling, and Acne Treatment
Today I want to discuss a patient who came to see me for help in treating her acne scarring. She is a beautiful young woman who has been very self-conscious due to acne scars on her cheeks. The treatment that we chose was microneedling with a Dermapen, combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This is essentially a variation of what is known as a "vampire" treatment, as we take a patient's own blood to isolate the PRP and then use it to treat the damaged skin.
This therapy can be used for a so-called "facelift", or as a tool for rejuvenating the skin.
The Dermapen uses multiple ultra-thin surgical needles that rapidly and repeatedly puncture the skin to make thousands of tiny wounds as the device passes over the treated area. There is no long-term damage, and relatively minimal discomfort. This device alone provokes the body's natural healing response, in effect leading to the production of collagen and elastin. There is also stimulation of new capillary growth. Healthy new skin is produced during this healing response. In the specific case of acne scarring, these tiny needles also help to break up the fibrous and uneven scar tissue, again providing a healthy foundation for new cells.
The addition of PRP is designed to even further enhance cellular growth. I use a combination technique, injecting some of the PRP under the skin while also applying a PRP gel topically to the affected areas. I will not go into detail regarding how PRP works - please see some of my earlier blog entries for more information [PRP (Plasma Therapy) @ http://coloradostemcelltherapy.blogspot.com/2012/05/prp-plasma-therapy.html, and Skin Rejuvenation @ http://coloradostemcelltherapy.blogspot.com/2014/04/skin-rejuvenation_6980.html].
I truly believe that there are improved results by using the combination of the Dermapen with PRP. This mode of therapy can also with other types of scarring, again by breaking up the fibrous scar tissue; it is also useful for reducing fine lines of the face, helping eliminate stretch marks, and in treating sun damage.
This patient has granted permission for me to show her before and after pictures. She originally saw another doctor for 2 microneedling treatments, although these were not very aggressive. She then had a total of 4 procedures with me - 2 microneedling alone, and 2 with PRP. She is still continuing to receive treatments, as she has been very happy so far but wants even more improvement. She is actually seeing me again today for another treatment with PRP.
This therapy can be used for a so-called "facelift", or as a tool for rejuvenating the skin.
The Dermapen uses multiple ultra-thin surgical needles that rapidly and repeatedly puncture the skin to make thousands of tiny wounds as the device passes over the treated area. There is no long-term damage, and relatively minimal discomfort. This device alone provokes the body's natural healing response, in effect leading to the production of collagen and elastin. There is also stimulation of new capillary growth. Healthy new skin is produced during this healing response. In the specific case of acne scarring, these tiny needles also help to break up the fibrous and uneven scar tissue, again providing a healthy foundation for new cells.
The addition of PRP is designed to even further enhance cellular growth. I use a combination technique, injecting some of the PRP under the skin while also applying a PRP gel topically to the affected areas. I will not go into detail regarding how PRP works - please see some of my earlier blog entries for more information [PRP (Plasma Therapy) @ http://coloradostemcelltherapy.blogspot.com/2012/05/prp-plasma-therapy.html, and Skin Rejuvenation @ http://coloradostemcelltherapy.blogspot.com/2014/04/skin-rejuvenation_6980.html].
I truly believe that there are improved results by using the combination of the Dermapen with PRP. This mode of therapy can also with other types of scarring, again by breaking up the fibrous scar tissue; it is also useful for reducing fine lines of the face, helping eliminate stretch marks, and in treating sun damage.
This patient has granted permission for me to show her before and after pictures. She originally saw another doctor for 2 microneedling treatments, although these were not very aggressive. She then had a total of 4 procedures with me - 2 microneedling alone, and 2 with PRP. She is still continuing to receive treatments, as she has been very happy so far but wants even more improvement. She is actually seeing me again today for another treatment with PRP.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After 6 treatments, 4 @ MEND |
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Stem Cells and Multiple Sclerosis
A new Phase I trial involving the use of stem cells in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients is underway in a study by the Cleveland Clinic, Case Western Reserve University, and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, wherein the immune system attacks the central nervous system (CNS), both the brain and spinal cord.
So far, 2 patients have undergone the complete process, with another patient expecting to start the process soon. In all, 24 patients with relapsing or progressively worsening MS will be in the trial over the next 2 to 3 years. The protocol calls for harvesting of their own stem cells from bone marrow at the University Hospital, cultivating those cells at a Case Western laboratory, and then returning the stem cells to the patient intravenously at the Cleveland Clinic.
The primary focus of this study is to determine both the feasibility and the safety of such a treatment process. In the process, the researchers will also be looking for any evidence of improvement in the patients, although the trial is not set up to actually gauge either subjective or objective endpoints. This is a conservative study that will only look at safety parameters. If the trial goes well, further Phase II trials would likely follow, with actual treatment endpoints as the focus.
The first patient treated in the trial, Bill White, was first diagnosed with MS about 6 years ago. His first symptoms were fatigue and balance problems. After a while, exercise and even walking became problematic for him, and he eventually had to stop working. The reason for these issues is that in MS, the immune system abnormally attacks the CNS, leading to damage in the protective myelin sheaths, followed by irreversible damage to the axons and even neuronal death. The damage builds up and can progressively worsen over time, or can occur in a relapse and remission format. The process leads to noticeable changes on MRI and the diagnosis can be confirmed by looking at the spinal fluid. Mr. White had the characteristic changes on a scan of his brain in 2007. He has also since undergone treatment with 2 different drugs without seeing much benefit, if any, while subjecting him to a variety of side-effects.
After enrolling in this trial, his stem cells were harvested in March. The stem cells were cultured in the lab for months, and they were eventually injected into his bloodstream in June. Mr. White saw changes very quickly. He stated that "I used to have to use my left arm to lift my left leg up. Now I can lift it up on my own", meaning without the assistance of his arm. And although he still tires when walking, he does so less quickly now. In addition, his vision has improved from 20/50 to 20/20. Objectively, a recent MRI showed no new lesions in his brain. The proposed mechanism of action for the stem cells is in modulating the immune system, causing a decrease in the immune attack on the CNS. Also, the stem cells may be promoting the healing and regrowth of damaged tissues.
Other Phase I trials looking at stem cells and MS will soon be underway in Spain, China, and Iran. These are exciting times for sure, and the idea that a patient's own stem cells could help with the treatment of MS is truly amazing!
So far, 2 patients have undergone the complete process, with another patient expecting to start the process soon. In all, 24 patients with relapsing or progressively worsening MS will be in the trial over the next 2 to 3 years. The protocol calls for harvesting of their own stem cells from bone marrow at the University Hospital, cultivating those cells at a Case Western laboratory, and then returning the stem cells to the patient intravenously at the Cleveland Clinic.
The primary focus of this study is to determine both the feasibility and the safety of such a treatment process. In the process, the researchers will also be looking for any evidence of improvement in the patients, although the trial is not set up to actually gauge either subjective or objective endpoints. This is a conservative study that will only look at safety parameters. If the trial goes well, further Phase II trials would likely follow, with actual treatment endpoints as the focus.
The first patient treated in the trial, Bill White, was first diagnosed with MS about 6 years ago. His first symptoms were fatigue and balance problems. After a while, exercise and even walking became problematic for him, and he eventually had to stop working. The reason for these issues is that in MS, the immune system abnormally attacks the CNS, leading to damage in the protective myelin sheaths, followed by irreversible damage to the axons and even neuronal death. The damage builds up and can progressively worsen over time, or can occur in a relapse and remission format. The process leads to noticeable changes on MRI and the diagnosis can be confirmed by looking at the spinal fluid. Mr. White had the characteristic changes on a scan of his brain in 2007. He has also since undergone treatment with 2 different drugs without seeing much benefit, if any, while subjecting him to a variety of side-effects.
After enrolling in this trial, his stem cells were harvested in March. The stem cells were cultured in the lab for months, and they were eventually injected into his bloodstream in June. Mr. White saw changes very quickly. He stated that "I used to have to use my left arm to lift my left leg up. Now I can lift it up on my own", meaning without the assistance of his arm. And although he still tires when walking, he does so less quickly now. In addition, his vision has improved from 20/50 to 20/20. Objectively, a recent MRI showed no new lesions in his brain. The proposed mechanism of action for the stem cells is in modulating the immune system, causing a decrease in the immune attack on the CNS. Also, the stem cells may be promoting the healing and regrowth of damaged tissues.
Other Phase I trials looking at stem cells and MS will soon be underway in Spain, China, and Iran. These are exciting times for sure, and the idea that a patient's own stem cells could help with the treatment of MS is truly amazing!
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