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Hi Barbara: Interested in finding out if there are any Drs. treating or pursuing treatments for Transverse Myelitis. I had a single episode back in 2009. I was told that it occurred secondary to a strep infection in my spinal cord, actually had 3 different strains of strep in spinal fluid. Lesion is C6 incomplete. Very rare disease and I haven't had much luck finding a clinic familiar with it. Thanks so much! Tim
Thank you so much, Barbara. I appreciate all of your great effort, especially the coordination with the doctors, and your editing of the questions!
Sincerely,
Mike
Cburg - The next host (August) will be discussing cell banking. Your question on SDF-1 was addressed by Dr. Walpole this month. You can find the current Ask the Doctor in the Spotlight section. I will hold onto your info on the ultrasound until we have a doctor host.
Dear Barbara,
I have found yet another very interesting method for stem cell delilvery: “Kidney-Targeted Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction”

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2013/526367/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22393225

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822907/#!po=8.33333

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jgm.2755/abstract

Can you please ask the doctor to comment on this?

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,
Mike
An extensive body of research has demonstrated that increasing transient SDF-1 expression post-tissue injury promotes tissue repair after acute organ injury by preventing cell death and recruiting stem cells to the damaged region. Recent articles from several laboratories have demonstrated SDF-1 therapeutic potential for treatment of stroke, wound management, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, critical limb ischemia, ischemic kidney disease, and spinal cord repair. The tissue-preserving and reparative effects of SDF-1 led Juventas to develop potential therapies utilizing SDF-1 to treat ischemic cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and hard-to-heal wounds. Juventas has demonstrated that therapeutic interventions which prolong or re-establish the ability of SDF-1 to stimulate the stem cell homing process and activate tissue protective mechanisms may be beneficial for patients that have suffered tissue damage, such as after a heart attack.
SDF-1 stimulates the natural healing process by recruiting endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to the site of injury to induce neovascularization and angiogenesis. This is a critical element of healing, as sustained vessel formation is necessary for adult tissue to become fully re-vascularized, particularly after ischemia. A unique aspect of wound healing in adult tissue is that regeneration is generally driven by localized tissue trauma, such local release of chemokines. SDF-1 has been shown to mobilize and recruit EPCs to injured tissue sites and promotes permanent EPC engraftment. Unfortunately, natural SDF-1 expression lasts for less than a week, and therefore the induced stem cell homing signals it creates quickly fades.
Dear Barbara,

I have been researching more, and have found a very interesting mode of treatment that permits and enhances homing of stem cells to a target area.

It involves the use of DNA genes from SDF-1 (something like that). From the Juventas website: http://www.juventasinc.com/science/sdf1.html

Stromal cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1) is a naturally-occurring chemokine that is over-expressed in response to tissue injury. SDF-1 is a strong chemo-attractant of stem cells and progenitor cells that promote tissue preservation and increased and sustained healing of wounded tissue. SDF-1 induction stimulates a number of protective anti-inflammatory pathways, causes the down regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, and can prevent cell death. Furthermore, SDF-1 recruits stem cells to the site of tissue damage, which promotes tissue preservation and blood vessel development.
Dear Barbara,
Please ask the doctor to reply to these questions:
Stem Cell treatment seems to hold great promise for organ regeneration, but it seems traditional methods for administration of the cells falls prey to the cells not reaching their desired location, and end up lodged in the lungs.
Is it understood why the lungs attract the cells, and if this attraction can be disabled?
Are there ways to attract the cells to the desired targets?
Are there studies underway to address these problems?
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/sci/2013/130763/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961213014804
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20965212
http://beyondthedish.wordpress.com/2014/07/09/preserving-heart-tissue-after-a-heart-attack-umbilical-cord-coated-stem-cell-spheres/
Thank you so much for your insights!
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Edmonds
Gus - If the study is simply an adipose treatment with nothing else, chances are it will be of minimum value to you. It might reduce inflammation temporarily, but that's probably the extent of it. If they are also using additional components such as growth factors, cytokines, etc. then it might be something to consider. You should ask exactly what the protocol involves. This is not an FDA approved clinical trial. It is simply a protocol that was approved by an IRB (Investigational Review Board). You must be given informed consent to participate. Having said that, the study is to see if the treatment is safe and produces any results, so if there is any claim now that it does, then that would certainly be strange since the study is to establish whether or not it does.
Barbara,
Hope this email finds you well. I have been reading about a clinical trial for copd through Bioheart. The cost is $5000.00. It takes stem cells from fatty tissue and then IV's back into me. It says it has some FDA recognition, to what extent is questionable. I was wondering if you heard of this trial or Kristin Comella. If you have seen it do you have any pros or cons on it?
Thanks,
Gus
Nassin I don't know how often you check this site, but I have lost your e-mail address and can't reach you by phone. Please contact me via -e-mail if you read this message. It is pmosss@knololgy.net. Thanks Pat
Gus - RSCI is a for profit site that gets commissions from the clinics they represent. There is nothing wrong with that, however, where is the 70% success rate figure coming from? To my knowledge, Dr. Vina is not conducting any measurable studies to verify how successful his treatments are. How is the success measured? What patients usually gain from stem cell therapy are quality of life improvements. Some gain more than others. Some unfortunately don't seem to get any improvement. A patient needs to be totally realistic and not get carried away by claims of success that are as vague as what you have stated. Find out what success means to Dr. Vina and RSCI. Is it an increase in lung function that they have verified or is it something that they have decided boosts sales based on a few patients that said they "felt" better. I really get put off by such claims as I think you can tell. Dr. Vina is a good doctor, but 70% - No way to verify it without published data.
Hi Barbara,
I am a new member and wanted to say hello to all. I have copd and it is starting to slow me down, as of lately. I have read many of your posts and articles. I would like to know if you have heard of Dr. Roberto Fernando Vina and his success with stem cell therapy for copd? You have recommended Dr. Fiennerman previously to me, being he is in Tampa and I am in Tarpon Springs, Fl. I see that RSCI states that Dr. Vina has a 70% rate of success for copd patients? I know it is not a guarantee for everyone but it does sound promising. I am looking to get a stem cell treatment and need to feel comfortable with the clinic and Dr. I hope stem cell pioneers can be a support for me as it has been for others. Thanks for the support. Gus
I'm not sure what he's talking about. He doesn't need to access the forum. I guess he got confused. I will e-mail him.
Barbara,
I received a message from Dr. Malan's office. You need to contact him at the office. He doesn't know how to access stem cell pioneers forum to answer the questions for the stem cell doctor of the month. You may also want to tell members that Dr. Malan is also board certified ob/gyn in addition to being a cosmetic surgeon. With my neuropathic pelvic pain condition, seeing that credential was the reason I selected him as my stem cell physician. You can discuss that with him in your call to him. Take care........Peg
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