Installment 30 - Ask the Doctor with Dr Geeta Shroff
Q: If a person has small cell lung and bone cancer, but it is in full remission as of 4 months and emphysema would a stem cell treatment be feasible for the emphysema or could it cause the cancer to start growing again?
A: Our experience with treating cancer patients is limited. We do know that our therapy has not shown any adverse effects. Emphysema involves anatomical changes in the body which are difficult to change with stem cells.
Q: My son is suffering from a type of muscular dystrophy of which the responsible gene has not been discovered yet. Have you treated patients with muscular dystrophy and if so with what type of success? Could your method regenerate muscles? How many treatments would be required and what is the cost per treatment?
A: We have treated patients with muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder and our effort is to first halt the progression of the disease and stabilize the patient?s condition. How far we can achieve this depends on how fast the disease is progressing (since stem cells need time to take effect) and at what stage of the disease treatment begins. We have seen reversal of symptoms (including muscle regeneration) in many patients. However long-term therapy is essential as the expression of the disease is over a period of time. The treatment duration (and cost) varies from case to case.
Q: If hematopoietic cells from bone marrow are transported through the cerebrospinal fluid and find their way into the brain - How long would it take for these cells to transform into nerve cells? Is there a theory for this or any study results?
A: I cannot answer, as we do not work on bone marrow stem cells.
Q: How many (if any) lung patients have you treated with embryonic stem cell therapy? If you do treat this condition, how do you target the organ directly so the cells do not go all over the body and create unneeded tissues?
A: We have treated a few patients with interstitial lung disease. We have used nebulizers as well as systemic routes, with no unneeded tissues seen anywhere, which are documented by various scans. The treatment for such condition such as a chronic lung disorder is long term and our goals are to stop the progression and then improve the patient?s condition such that the quality of life is maintained.
Q: Have you done any clinical trials with your cells? Why does it seem that you are so far ahead of the rest of the world when other countries are not even doing adult stem cell treatments yet?
A: There is no straightforward answer to this question. All I can say is that someone is always the first to make a breakthrough. In this case it happens to be yours truly. I am a qualified medical practitioner, an IVF (infertility) specialist, and a trained embryologist. My medical experience and my understanding of the human body, specially the embryo, have played a significant role in my achievements. After the initial breakthrough, my background & experience coupled with a conducive regulatory environment in my country, allowed further development of the technology and its clinical applications. Our unique cell culture methodology and a totally human product have translated into several advantages at the clinical application stage. The cell line is chromosomally stable and the cells do not invite any antigen-antibody reaction when transplanted. We, therefore, do not need to administer any immune-suppressants. All our patients are evaluated before, during and after the therapy. We have a treatment protocol which defines the cell type, no. of cells, routes of transplantation, dosages, and schedules. The treatment module is further individualized as required.
Q: I have a spinal cord injury (spinal cord bruise from C5-C7) which has resulted in quadriplegia. I am paralyzed from the armpits down with limited use of my arms. I'm very interested in this field of therapy for sci and want to learn as much as I can from people who have had it done as well as doctors who provide the treatments. Can you share some experiences?
A: We have treated a number (around 200) of chronic spinal cord injuries which includes quadriplegics. I can direct you to some blog sites of spinal cord injury patients which will allow you to share their experiences.
Amanda Boxtel http://www.amandaboxtel.wordpress.com
Leah Potts http://www.leahpotts.com
Perry Cross http://www.perrycross.com.au or http://www.perryx.com Rusty Leech http://www.rustywithoutwheels.com
Louis Miceli http://www.loumiceli.com
Q: How long will the stem cell therapy benefits last from the date of implantation, especially for those who were class three heart failure cases? It seems to me that the best estimate that I can find is that after 12 months there can be a down-turn. I realize that the time mode can be different for each type and degree of heart failure. Much of the time line seems to depend on the heart's pumping factor. If it starts a decline then apparently that is a major factor determining if the stem cells are also declining in the useful functioning of the heart. What are your thoughts?
A: We have worked in cardiac conditions not amenable to surgery and have presented a Paper on the ?Role of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Non Revascularizable Myocardium? at the World Congress of Cardio Thoracic Surgery held at Latvia, Europe, June, 2005.
The two main conditions of cardiac involvement with low LVEF are (a)post MI and (b) due to cardiomyopathy. We have seen improvement in the LVEF which ranged between15-20% before treatment to 50-60% after treatment and this has been maintained over a period of time. The improvements are maintained provided there are no fresh insults to the heart.
Q: I researched some clinics in India and they charge much less than other places for treatments (8-10K U.S.) I noticed on some online forums that you charge 60K. Can you tell me why?
A: We offer a package depending on the condition of the patient, type and severity of the disease and the length of the treatment. This package also includes medical care, physiotherapy, accommodation and meals for the patient and attendant. Also, patients sometimes include other expenses like airfare, attendants costs etc. in the treatment cost
Q: One more question that was submitted several times in different form, but the gist of the questions were all the same. All we hear is how embryonic stem cells are not yet safe to be used in humans because they can cause cancer. Please comment on how your treatment is safe when there is so much negative information out there on embryonic stem cell treatment.
A: As mentioned earlier, our cell culture methodology does not involve use of any animal products. Nor do the cells invite any antigen-antibody reaction. We are able to maintain the chromosomal stability of the cell line. Our cell line is totally human and all these factors make the cells safe for transplantation. No immune suppression is required. The cells, once transplanted, home in to the damaged area, and start the repair process by reviving dormant cells and regenerating new cells. In the last 7 years, more than 700 patients have been treated and no adverse effects have been seen.
Further information can be obtained from my patent application which is available online at
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/fr/ia.jsp?ia=IB2007/002292&IA=IB2007/002292&DISPLAY=DESC
Our entire working is under WHO compliant GMP, GLP & GCP conditions. ISO certifications are in place for each process. The hospital has been awarded Platinum Grading for excellence in medical care.
For more information please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HZsIJJA0hY
About Dr. Geeta Shroff
Medical Education
Dr. Geeta Shroff has developed the technology to isolate human embryonic stem cells, culture them, prepare them for clinical application and store them in ready-to-use form with a shelf life of 6 months. Further, this technology is being used clinically to treat patients suffering from various conditions-spinal cord injuries, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cardiac conditions & many more- all presently categorized as incurable and/or terminal. In more than 7 years of clinical application in over 700 patients, the results are nothing short of astounding-patients paralyzed neck downwards have resumed full function of their arms and are taking steps with support, diabetics on high doses of insulin are leading lives insulin free. Embryonic stem cell therapy is changing the face of modern medicine as we know it.
The technology involves the use of only ONE EMBRYO. Once the cells are isolated, they can be cultured indefinitely. We have isolated the cell lines from a single spare throwaway embryo after an IVF cycle. The embryo was used with full consent and was discarded in any case. There is no repeated need for embryos. Theoretically, one cell line can treat the entire human population.
Q: If a person has small cell lung and bone cancer, but it is in full remission as of 4 months and emphysema would a stem cell treatment be feasible for the emphysema or could it cause the cancer to start growing again?
A: Our experience with treating cancer patients is limited. We do know that our therapy has not shown any adverse effects. Emphysema involves anatomical changes in the body which are difficult to change with stem cells.
Q: My son is suffering from a type of muscular dystrophy of which the responsible gene has not been discovered yet. Have you treated patients with muscular dystrophy and if so with what type of success? Could your method regenerate muscles? How many treatments would be required and what is the cost per treatment?
A: We have treated patients with muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder and our effort is to first halt the progression of the disease and stabilize the patient?s condition. How far we can achieve this depends on how fast the disease is progressing (since stem cells need time to take effect) and at what stage of the disease treatment begins. We have seen reversal of symptoms (including muscle regeneration) in many patients. However long-term therapy is essential as the expression of the disease is over a period of time. The treatment duration (and cost) varies from case to case.
Q: If hematopoietic cells from bone marrow are transported through the cerebrospinal fluid and find their way into the brain - How long would it take for these cells to transform into nerve cells? Is there a theory for this or any study results?
A: I cannot answer, as we do not work on bone marrow stem cells.
Q: How many (if any) lung patients have you treated with embryonic stem cell therapy? If you do treat this condition, how do you target the organ directly so the cells do not go all over the body and create unneeded tissues?
A: We have treated a few patients with interstitial lung disease. We have used nebulizers as well as systemic routes, with no unneeded tissues seen anywhere, which are documented by various scans. The treatment for such condition such as a chronic lung disorder is long term and our goals are to stop the progression and then improve the patient?s condition such that the quality of life is maintained.
Q: Have you done any clinical trials with your cells? Why does it seem that you are so far ahead of the rest of the world when other countries are not even doing adult stem cell treatments yet?
A: There is no straightforward answer to this question. All I can say is that someone is always the first to make a breakthrough. In this case it happens to be yours truly. I am a qualified medical practitioner, an IVF (infertility) specialist, and a trained embryologist. My medical experience and my understanding of the human body, specially the embryo, have played a significant role in my achievements. After the initial breakthrough, my background & experience coupled with a conducive regulatory environment in my country, allowed further development of the technology and its clinical applications. Our unique cell culture methodology and a totally human product have translated into several advantages at the clinical application stage. The cell line is chromosomally stable and the cells do not invite any antigen-antibody reaction when transplanted. We, therefore, do not need to administer any immune-suppressants. All our patients are evaluated before, during and after the therapy. We have a treatment protocol which defines the cell type, no. of cells, routes of transplantation, dosages, and schedules. The treatment module is further individualized as required.
Q: I have a spinal cord injury (spinal cord bruise from C5-C7) which has resulted in quadriplegia. I am paralyzed from the armpits down with limited use of my arms. I'm very interested in this field of therapy for sci and want to learn as much as I can from people who have had it done as well as doctors who provide the treatments. Can you share some experiences?
A: We have treated a number (around 200) of chronic spinal cord injuries which includes quadriplegics. I can direct you to some blog sites of spinal cord injury patients which will allow you to share their experiences.
Amanda Boxtel http://www.amandaboxtel.wordpress.com
Leah Potts http://www.leahpotts.com
Perry Cross http://www.perrycross.com.au or http://www.perryx.com Rusty Leech http://www.rustywithoutwheels.com
Louis Miceli http://www.loumiceli.com
Q: How long will the stem cell therapy benefits last from the date of implantation, especially for those who were class three heart failure cases? It seems to me that the best estimate that I can find is that after 12 months there can be a down-turn. I realize that the time mode can be different for each type and degree of heart failure. Much of the time line seems to depend on the heart's pumping factor. If it starts a decline then apparently that is a major factor determining if the stem cells are also declining in the useful functioning of the heart. What are your thoughts?
A: We have worked in cardiac conditions not amenable to surgery and have presented a Paper on the ?Role of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Non Revascularizable Myocardium? at the World Congress of Cardio Thoracic Surgery held at Latvia, Europe, June, 2005.
The two main conditions of cardiac involvement with low LVEF are (a)post MI and (b) due to cardiomyopathy. We have seen improvement in the LVEF which ranged between15-20% before treatment to 50-60% after treatment and this has been maintained over a period of time. The improvements are maintained provided there are no fresh insults to the heart.
Q: I researched some clinics in India and they charge much less than other places for treatments (8-10K U.S.) I noticed on some online forums that you charge 60K. Can you tell me why?
A: We offer a package depending on the condition of the patient, type and severity of the disease and the length of the treatment. This package also includes medical care, physiotherapy, accommodation and meals for the patient and attendant. Also, patients sometimes include other expenses like airfare, attendants costs etc. in the treatment cost
Q: One more question that was submitted several times in different form, but the gist of the questions were all the same. All we hear is how embryonic stem cells are not yet safe to be used in humans because they can cause cancer. Please comment on how your treatment is safe when there is so much negative information out there on embryonic stem cell treatment.
A: As mentioned earlier, our cell culture methodology does not involve use of any animal products. Nor do the cells invite any antigen-antibody reaction. We are able to maintain the chromosomal stability of the cell line. Our cell line is totally human and all these factors make the cells safe for transplantation. No immune suppression is required. The cells, once transplanted, home in to the damaged area, and start the repair process by reviving dormant cells and regenerating new cells. In the last 7 years, more than 700 patients have been treated and no adverse effects have been seen.
Further information can be obtained from my patent application which is available online at
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/fr/ia.jsp?ia=IB2007/002292&IA=IB2007/002292&DISPLAY=DESC
Our entire working is under WHO compliant GMP, GLP & GCP conditions. ISO certifications are in place for each process. The hospital has been awarded Platinum Grading for excellence in medical care.
For more information please see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HZsIJJA0hY
About Dr. Geeta Shroff
Medical Education
- MBBS (1988) U.C.M.S, University of Delhi.
- DGO (1991) I.C.N.C.H University of Calcutta
- Internship in SAFDARJUNG HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI (1988)
- House Job in SAFDARJUNG HOSPITAL, NEW DELHI (1989)
- Resident, Dept. of Gynae.&Obs. Batra Hospital, New Delhi (1990-92)
- Research Officer, Dept. of Gynae. & Obs., Batra hospital, New Delhi(1993-96)
- Director, NU- TECH MEDIWORLD (Since 1996)
- ?HOW TO CHOOSE THE SEX OF ONE?S CHILD AT CONCEPTION IN A NATURAL WAY?
- The Annual Conference of the Association of Gynecologists & Obstetricians, Delhi (A.O.G.D), held at New Delhi, 1991. The paper won an award.
- The International Conference of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, held in Montreal, Canada, September 1994.
- The International Conference on Mother and Child Care, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, November 1994.
- The International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 50 Supply. 2 (1995) S169-S171, held in Montreal, Canada, October 1995, of the International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics: ? Natural Sex Selection for Safe Motherhood and as a Solution for Population Control?, by Prof. Vera Hingorani and Dr. Geeta Shroff.
- The Conference for International Committee for Prevention of Infanticide & Dowry Deaths, held at Boston, U.S.A.
- The Asian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice, Volume 1, No.1. December ? February, 1996-97, Clinical Practice, ?Natural Sex Selection-A Solution for Population Control. By Dr. Vera Hingorani and Dr. Geeta Shroff.
- The Second World Congress on Voluntary Sterilization & Family Welfare-October 1993, held at Mumbai (Bombay). ?Pre-selection of the Sex of a Child by Natural way-Timing of Coitus in relation to Ovulation?, by Dr. Geeta Shroff.
- VI International Conference on Maternal and Neonatal Health, 1-5 November 1997, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, ?Choose the Sex of Your Child by Natural Way for Safe Motherhood,? by Dr. Geeta Shroff.
- Eighty Fourth Session of the Indian Science Congress, Delhi January 1997.
- Under the Indian Medical Association, South Delhi Branch, the presentation was made (1997) to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences,
- The theory and its clinical success was presented to the Indian Council of Medical Research, on 21 September 1995, by Dr. Inderjit Barthakur, Prof. Dr. Vera Hingorani, and Dr. Geeta Shroff, (from New Delhi); Prof. Dr. Indira Hinduja and Associate Prof. Dr. Kusum Zaveri (from Mumbai
- 1999: 11th World Congress on In Vitro Fertilization and Human Reproductive Genetic Sydney, Australia.
- 2000: XVI FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Washington DC
- Paper on the ?Role of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in Non Revascularizable Myocardium ? at the World Congress of Cardio Thoracic Surgery held at Latvia, Europe, June, 2005.
- ?Human Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation in Paralytic Patients? poster presented at the Annual Conference of American Society of Gene Therapy at St. Louis, U. S. A. June, 2005.
- ?Human Embryonic Stem Cells-Therapeutic Applications and Results?
- Annual AAPI Convention, Las Vegas, June 2008
- ?Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy-A New Era in Medicine?
- BIOLOGIC India 2009, Mumbai, December 2009
Dr. Geeta Shroff has developed the technology to isolate human embryonic stem cells, culture them, prepare them for clinical application and store them in ready-to-use form with a shelf life of 6 months. Further, this technology is being used clinically to treat patients suffering from various conditions-spinal cord injuries, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cardiac conditions & many more- all presently categorized as incurable and/or terminal. In more than 7 years of clinical application in over 700 patients, the results are nothing short of astounding-patients paralyzed neck downwards have resumed full function of their arms and are taking steps with support, diabetics on high doses of insulin are leading lives insulin free. Embryonic stem cell therapy is changing the face of modern medicine as we know it.
The technology involves the use of only ONE EMBRYO. Once the cells are isolated, they can be cultured indefinitely. We have isolated the cell lines from a single spare throwaway embryo after an IVF cycle. The embryo was used with full consent and was discarded in any case. There is no repeated need for embryos. Theoretically, one cell line can treat the entire human population.
- The culture methodology does not use any animal products and a totally human product is available for transplantation.
- The cell line is chromosomally stable.
- The therapeutic product can be stored and transported in ready to use form with a shelf life of 6 months and therefore amenable to global marketing and use.
- The entire technology platform including therapeutic applications has patents applied for.
- Results in over 700 patients from across the world are documented and are reproducible.
- All patients have been followed up from the beginning of their treatment till date, their progress monitored and documented.
- State of the Art is underscored by GLP, GCP, GMP, BS EN ISO 9000:2001, BS EN ISO 13485 and BS EN ISO 14971 certification of the quality and safety management systems of the laboratory and clinic.