Article Date: 02 Apr 2009
TCA Cellular Therapy's Medical Director Gabriel Lasala, M.D. presented preliminary results of an adult stem cell treatment for severe limb ischemia Sunday at the American College of Cardiology's first annual i2 Summit.
Lower limb ischemia is a condition where plaque build-up causes decreased circulation in the lower leg. Symptoms of the condition include intense pain and swelling.
Lasala, together with the company's Scientific Director Jose Minguell, Ph.D., treated ten patients during the Phase I safety/efficacy clinical trial using a combination of the patient's own endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mesenchymyal stem cells (MSCs). The cells, obtained through bone marrow aspiration, were mixed and infused into damaged veins.
According to Lasala, there were no adverse effects as a result of the infusions. More importantly, their patients experienced a progressive improvement in all clinical parameters which are still persisting a year after treatment.
"All patients experienced improvement in their walking tests, ankle brachial pressure index, oxygen pressure, angiography and quality of life," Lasala said. "These findings, coupled with increase of blood flow in collateral vessels suggest that the therapy is both safe and effective."
The researchers believe that the use of adult stem cell therapy in ischemia patients allows for the development of new mature and stable capillaries.
"The similarity in the recovery of our patients is promising," said Lasala. "We find that the stem cells, once re-injected, go about forming new blood vessels, thus increasing circulation dramatically."
About TCA Cellular Therapy
TCA Cellular Therapy is the only private company in the United States that is participating in FDA protocols related to stem cell research. Under the direction of Medical Director Gabriel Lasala, M.D. and Scientific Director Jose Minguell, Ph.D., TCA Cellular Therapy is undergoing pioneering research with stem cell therapy for limb ischemia. Its affiliated company, LifeSource Cryobank, LLC is a state of the art laboratory committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of stem cells derived from both umbilical cord blood and adult bone marrow in a totally secure environment. Both companies are located in Covington, Louisiana.
TCA Cellular Therapy's Medical Director Gabriel Lasala, M.D. presented preliminary results of an adult stem cell treatment for severe limb ischemia Sunday at the American College of Cardiology's first annual i2 Summit.
Lower limb ischemia is a condition where plaque build-up causes decreased circulation in the lower leg. Symptoms of the condition include intense pain and swelling.
Lasala, together with the company's Scientific Director Jose Minguell, Ph.D., treated ten patients during the Phase I safety/efficacy clinical trial using a combination of the patient's own endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and mesenchymyal stem cells (MSCs). The cells, obtained through bone marrow aspiration, were mixed and infused into damaged veins.
According to Lasala, there were no adverse effects as a result of the infusions. More importantly, their patients experienced a progressive improvement in all clinical parameters which are still persisting a year after treatment.
"All patients experienced improvement in their walking tests, ankle brachial pressure index, oxygen pressure, angiography and quality of life," Lasala said. "These findings, coupled with increase of blood flow in collateral vessels suggest that the therapy is both safe and effective."
The researchers believe that the use of adult stem cell therapy in ischemia patients allows for the development of new mature and stable capillaries.
"The similarity in the recovery of our patients is promising," said Lasala. "We find that the stem cells, once re-injected, go about forming new blood vessels, thus increasing circulation dramatically."
About TCA Cellular Therapy
TCA Cellular Therapy is the only private company in the United States that is participating in FDA protocols related to stem cell research. Under the direction of Medical Director Gabriel Lasala, M.D. and Scientific Director Jose Minguell, Ph.D., TCA Cellular Therapy is undergoing pioneering research with stem cell therapy for limb ischemia. Its affiliated company, LifeSource Cryobank, LLC is a state of the art laboratory committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of stem cells derived from both umbilical cord blood and adult bone marrow in a totally secure environment. Both companies are located in Covington, Louisiana.