Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG) and International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA) to Participate in Dubai Stem Cell Congress 2023
MIAMI, Florida, February 15, 2023 – Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG) and its educational division, the International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA), are proud to announce their participation as sponsors and co-organizers of the Dubai Stem Cell Congress 2023. The congress, endorsed by the Hortman Stem Cell Laboratory, will take place on the 27th and 28th of February 2023 at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria on The Palm in Dubai.
The congress will bring together international experts in regenerative medicine and stem cell research from around the world to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights with the academic community and the general public. The event will also provide a platform for patients to share their success stories of stem cell therapy and how it has helped them overcome various life-threatening diseases.
“We are honored to welcome you to the first edition of the Dubai Stem Cell Congress 2023, which will host international experts in the field of Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research from around the world,” said Dr. Fatma Alhashimi, Chairman of Dubai Stem Cell Congress. “We will be showcasing cutting-edge data, stem cell technologies, and advanced applications.”
GSCG will showcase its range of cellular products and equipment, including exosomes for topical and intravenous use, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC), Bone Marrow Kit, PRP Kit, Fat Kit for obtaining Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF), workstation, and laboratory equipment. ISSCA, on the other hand, will be represented with its training, congresses, conferences, and the fellowship in Cellular Therapies.
“Our mission is to make cellular therapies a reality for both doctors and patients, and we are happy to continue that mission by sharing our knowledge and showcasing our Cellgenic branded Cellular products and equipment at the congress,” said Benito Novas, Managing Director of Global Stem Cells Group and Head of Public Relations for ISSCA.
With over 25 world-class international speakers, including ISSCA-certified speakers, the congress will feature a variety of panel discussions, lectures, and presentations on the latest innovative technologies in stem cell and regenerative medicine.
ISSCA-certified speakers and experts who will be presenting lectures at the congress include the following:
- Erdinç Civelek, a brain surgeon at Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Hospital for Research and Education in Turkey.
- Dr. Serdar Kabataş, a brain surgeon at Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Research and Education Hospital in Turkey.
- Abdulmajeed Hamadi, a consultant hematologist and pioneer in transplantation and stem cell therapy with an FRCP designation in Iraq.
- Salih Yildirim, the Director of Overseas Operations of ISSCA and a member of the Board of Directors of the Global Stem Cell Group and Director of International Operations.
- Benito Novas, the Managing Director of Global Stem Cells Group and Head of Public Relations for the International Society for the Application of Stem Cells in the USA.
Among the esteemed speakers at the event are:
Prof. Anil Dhawan, Dr. Frances Verter, Dr. Masayo Takahashi, Dr. Essam Abdelalim, Prof. Shuibing Chen, Prof. John E. Wagner, Mrs. Kim Petrella, Dr. Edward Guindi, Dr. Mazaiah Yaacob, Dr. Mohammed Moulay, Mr. Oliver Papavlassopoulos, Dr. Sean Ng, Dr. Chiara Cugno, Dr. Siti Aminah, Mr. Thomas Moss, Prof. Dr. Tim Schulz, Dr. Luis Saraiva, Mrs. Renata Mihályová, Dr. Srinivasan Periathiruvadi and Dr. Ahmed Foul.
For the first time in the UAE, patients will have the opportunity to share their success stories of stem cell therapy, including the story of Mahra, a UAE national and survivor of Thalassemia, and the world’s first cord blood patient, Matthew Farrow.
Stem cell therapy is the present and future of medicine and holds the “Hope That Brings Life” to many patients in need. The Dubai Stem Cell Congress 2023 is a landmark event that will bring together leading experts, patients, and members of the academic community to share their experiences and knowledge about stem cell therapy and its advancements.
To learn more about the Dubai Stem Cell Congress 2023 and to make a reservation, visit the https://dubaistemcellcongress.com/ website, email info@stemcellsgroup.com, or call +1 305 560 5337.
About Hortman Stem Cell Laboratory
Mr. Darius Curta Managing Director of Hortman Healthcare Investment – Hortman Stem Cell Laboratory is the first state-of-the-art laboratory within the field of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, focused on providing top-notch cord blood banking solutions. Additionally, our institution will be facilitating the first ever clinical trials in stem cell research in UAE. Hortman Stem Cell Laboratory, located at Golden Mile, Palm Jumeirah, consists of GMP Laboratories & ISO Clean Rooms for stem cell isolation, culture & expansion. Such a facility enables us to provide a solid foundation for successfully establishing an awareness and understanding of stem cells within the Middle Eastern Region. Hortman is leading that charge at the forefront of the research community.
About ISSCA:
The International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA) is a multidisciplinary community of scientists and physicians who aspire to treat diseases and lessen human suffering through advances in science, technology, and the practice of regenerative medicine. ISSCA serves its members through advancements made in the specialty of regenerative medicine.
The mission of the International Stem Cell Certification Agency (ISSCA) is to establish itself as a global leader in regenerative medicine certification, education, research, and training.
ISSCA provides certification training in cities worldwide because it recognizes the importance of standards and certifications in regenerative medicine as a medical specialty. To help more people, both locally and globally, as the demand for more doctors interested in and comfortable with regenerative medicine surges. ISSCA’s mission is to advance quality and uniformity in regenerative medicine worldwide.
About Global Stem Cells Group:
The Global Stem Cell Group is a family of several companies focused on stem cell medicine and research. The company uses its network to bring leadership in regenerative medicine training, research, and patient applications.
GSCG’s mission is to allow physicians to present the benefits of stem cell medicine to patients worldwide. The company also partners with policymakers, educators, and regulators to promote regenerative medicine.
Global Stem Cells Group is a publicly traded company operating under the symbol MSSV. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/mssv/
To learn more about Global Stem Cells Group, Inc.’s companies visit our website www.stemcellsgroup.com or call +1 305 560 5331
Safe Harbor Statement:
Statements in this news release may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions, or any other information relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business based partly on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may and are likely to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release, and The Global Stem Cells Group undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release. This press release does not constitute a public offer of any securities for sale. Any securities offered privately will not be or have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
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ISSCA to Conduct Regenerative Medicine Conference in Cancún, México
Miami, FL, December 19, 2022 – The International Association for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA) has announced plans to host Applications of Stem Cell Therapies in Medicine and Aesthetic Surgery, a regenerative medicine conference, in Cancun, Mexico, April 22, 23, and 24, 2023.
Growing knowledge can turn the tide in the clinical and translational spectrum of stem-cell-based research and therapy, and several obstacles must be overcome. ISSCA’s International Conference, champions new ideas to propel the shift from traditional healthcare to regenerative medicine and therapies. The Conference will also emphasize the role of cutting technology and developments in all areas of stem cell research.
April 22nd & 23rd
The Cancun event will feature a panel of internationally renowned experts on stem cells and regenerative medicine, who will offer a two-day rigorous scientific discourse on critical topics in stem cell research and clinical applications. Topics of focus at the conference include: Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine; updates in Stem Cell research Clinical applications of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies; the latest methods of harvest and isolation, and Non-invasive surgical protocols; strategies for successful delivery of cell products; Ethical and regulatory issues in stem cell technology; and taking advantage of the latest technologies to improve marketing and networking.
April 24th
The third day of the conference (April 24th) will involve intensive hands-on training sessions with ISSCA-certified instructors on stem cell therapy’s aesthetic and clinical applications.
Participants will gain experience and access to different technologies, brands, and products for stem cell therapy.
The leading international conference offers an excellent opportunity for medical practitioners and stakeholders to network and learn from the best in the industry.
All practitioners and stakeholders in the medical sector are invited, including:
- Doctors Researchers & innovators,
- Decision-makers and funding agencies,
- Experts seeking collaborative work on stem cell technology,
- Professional bodies, and
- Marketing professionals.
To learn more about the ISSCA Cancun, Mexico conference and to make a reservation, visit the https://www.issca.us/issca-world-conferences/ website, email info@stemcellsgroup.com, or call +1305 560 5337.
About ISSCA
The International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA) is a multidisciplinary community of scientists and physicians who aspire to treat diseases and lessen human suffering through advances in science, technology, and regenerative medicine.
ISSCA updates its members on advances in stem cell research, MSC, exosomes, and regenerative medicine.
The ISSCA’s vision is to take a leadership position in promoting excellence and setting standards in the regenerative medicine fields of publication, research, education, training, and certification.
The international community provides a platform for practitioners to interact with scientists and build medical networks necessary for marketing.
As a medical specialty, regenerative medicine standards and certifications are essential, which is why ISSCA offers certification training in cities worldwide. The goal is to encourage more physicians to practice regenerative medicine and make it available to patients nationally and internationally. Incorporated under the Republic of Korea as a non-profit company, the ISSCA is focused on fostering excellence and standards in regenerative medicine.
About Global Stem Cells Group
Global Stem Cells Group is the parent company of six companies that are dedicated to stem cell research, solutions, and technology training. The group was founded in 2012 and combines dedicated researchers, patient educators, and physician trainers with the shared goal of meeting the need for high-end stem cell solutions and treatments.
Given that the group has a singular focus in this field, it is uniquely positioned to become the global leader in cellular medicine. In addition, by bringing together leading professionals in cellular medicine, it can discover issues that the industry faces and focus its research and development in this area. This specialization has, undoubtedly, enabled it to come up with solutions that address some of the significant issues that most stakeholders are facing in the industry.
Global Stem Cells Group is a publicly traded company operating under the symbol MSSV. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/mssv/
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Announcement of Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida by The Global Stem Cells Group
Recently, the Global Stem Cells Group announced plans to teach physicians the value and process behind incorporating regenerative medicine into their own clinical practices. MIAMI, 4–5 November 2022—Global Stem Cells Group, a multidisciplinary community of scientists and physicians that are working together to cure diseases and relieve human pain through the advancement of the field of regenerative medicine, announced today a plan of training in Fort Lauderdale on November 4th and 5th. This training aims to equip physicians with the value and knowledge behind incorporating regenerative medicine into their own clinical practice. Benito Novas, CEO of GSCG, is confident that the event will bring together a group of:
- Doctors are seeking training, products, and equipment in regenerative medicine.
- Doctors who care for patients with conditions that can be treated with cell therapies
- Aesthetic doctors.
- Doctors who want to be up to date with the latest technologies and protocols
- Doctors with an interest in new research on stem cells, MSC, Exosomes, and medical networks want to attract more clients.
The training course is intended to cover:
- Hands-On portion: Doctors, in a controlled environment and guided by a team of medical professionals, will have the opportunity to see procedures being performed a few feet away and then get the opportunity to try them for themselves.
- Review of stem cell biology
- Characterization of cells, cell products, cytokines, and growth factors, as well as their capacity for regeneration.
- Laboratory Processes
- Clinical applications
- Product validation
- Practice Management
- Patient acquisition
The International Society for Stem Cell Application (ISSCA) has done intensive research on this topic and the team will take a lead in educating, training, and certification during the event. As a medical speciality, regenerative standards and certification are very important, which is why ISSCA will provide certificates after the training. By the end of the training course, you will understand everything you need to know to add adult stem cellbased procedures to your existing practice. As before, the united efforts of the seven major medical corporations will provide practitioners with a one-stop hub for stem cell solutions that adhere to the highest medical standards. To find more about the courses and to make reservations for this particular event, head on to their website www.issca.us/autologous-miami-november/ .us email info@stemcellsgroup.com or dial +1305 560 5337.
About ISSCA
ISSCA is a multidisciplinary community that brings together scientists and physicians, all of whom aspire to treat diseases and relieve human pain through advances in science, technology, and the practice of regenerative medicine. ISSCA serves its members through innovations made to the speciality of regenerative medicine. The ISSCA’s vision is to take a leadership position in promoting excellence and setting standards in the regenerative medicine fields of publication, training, research, education, and certification.
As a medical speciality, regenerative medicine standards and certifications are very important, which is why ISSCA provides certification training globally. This is because they want to encourage more physicians to practice regenerative medicine and make it accessible to benefit patients both nationally and worldwide. Incorporated under the Republic of Korea as a nonprofit entity, the ISSCA’s main goal is to promote excellence and standards in the field of regenerative medicine. As a physician, missing this chance to book a personalized hands-on training session must cost you dearly. Contact + 1 305 560 5337 to book as early as possible.
About Global Stem Cells Group
Global Stem Cells Group is the parent company of six companies that are dedicated to stem cell research, solutions, and technology training. The group was founded in 2012 and combines dedicated researchers, patient educators, and physician trainers with the shared goal of meeting the need for high-end stem cell solutions and treatments.
Given that the group has a singular focus in this field, it is uniquely positioned to become the global leader in cellular medicine. In addition, by bringing together leading professionals in cellular medicine, it can discover issues that the industry faces and focus its research and development in this area. This specialization has, undoubtedly, enabled it to come up with solutions that address some of the significant issues that most stakeholders are facing in the industry.
Global Stem Cells Group is a publicly traded company operating under the symbol MSSV. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/mssv/
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Global Stem Cells Group Announces the Launch of a New Bone Marrow Harvesting Kit
The Global Stem Cells Group has announced the launch of a new bone marrow harvesting kit in response to a request for effective and accessible solutions to regenerative medicine procedures
Bone marrow is a spongy tissue that is located inside most large bones – it is essential for generating red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes), using a bone marrow aspirate needle to collect the aspirate can help physicians perform different regenerative treatments especially in osteomioarticular conditions.
Increased Stem and Progenitor Cell Concentrations in Marrow Aspiration
According to the company, the new kit for processing and extraction of pure bone marrow has demonstrated its ability to increase stem and progenitor cell concentrations in marrow aspiration compared to traditional needles. It further adds that the device overcomes the limitations of traditional needles that restrict the amount of peripheral blood that would otherwise have been aspirated by forcing aspiration flow through side ports rather than from an open cannula. This setup has been a major issue with traditional needles and often led to the extraction of excessive amounts of bone marrow as well as impure marrow.
“Cellgenic plans with this new device to position itself as a leader in the development and manufacture of single-use medical devices for a number of medical specialties, we have developed a new bone marrow aspiration and biopsy needle that is manual, sterile and disposable, allowing precise procedures to be performed” said Benito Novas C.E.O of Global Stem Cells group
The new system offers the facility for doctors to reposition the needle more precisely at different access points. Precision is vital when trying to access bone marrow from specific sections of the bone.
According to Benito Novas, CEO of Global Stem Cells Group, the product will be launched at a press conference this September in Istanbul, Turkey within the framework of the World Congress of Regenerative Medicine. Additionally, it will be available at retail for doctors and distributors worldwide from October 2022
Buyers will undergo an orientation to use the new kit. It is easy to work with and many are expected to start using it as soon as they purchase it. The stem cells group will offer all the necessary training and support for the doctors during training and thereafter to ensure that the medical practitioners enjoy the full benefits of the device.
Global Stem Cells Group has been on the frontline in offering quality devices for stem cell procedures. It aims to make procedures as simple, risk-free, and efficient as possible for the maximum benefit of patients.
About Global Stem Cells Group
Global Stem Cells Group is the parent company of six companies that are dedicated to stem cell research, solutions, and technology training. The group was founded in 2012 and combines dedicated researchers, patient educators, and physician trainers with the shared goal of meeting the need for high-end stem cell solutions and treatments.
Given that the group has a singular focus in this field, it is uniquely positioned to become the global leader in cellular medicine. In addition, by bringing together leading professionals in cellular medicine, it can discover issues that the industry faces and focus its research and development in this area. This specialization has, undoubtedly, enabled it to come up with solutions that address some of the significant issues that most stakeholders are facing in the industry.
Global Stem Cells Group is a publicly traded company operating under the symbol MSSV. https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/mssv/
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Texas Man Becomes First Adult in the U.S. to Receive Updated Stem Cell Transplant to Treat Leukemia
Chuck Dandridge, a Mansfield, Texas resident, became the first adult in the U.S. to receive a newly modified stem cell transplant that uses genetically engineered blood cells from a family member. The milestone was announced by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, where the procedure was performed.
Dandridge’s medical journey began in 2013, with a routine doctor’s visit to check his cholesterol levels; lab tests revealed low blood counts and further testing confirmed Dandridge’s diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, also called pre-leukemia or MDS. By 2014, the leukemia had progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which, according to the National Cancer Institute, affects more than 20,000 Americans annually.
Dandridge was referred to UT Southwestern’s Simmons Cancer Center, where his leukemia was tested for genetic mutations.
“We wanted to know whether he had specific mutations in his cancer cells,” says
Jon Dandridge, Madhuri Vusirikala, M.D., and Chuck Dandridge at the Simmons Cancer Center. Photo: UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Madhuri Vusirikala, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine and the primary investigator of many UT Southwestern clinical trials related to bone marrow transplantation.
“We found a mutation called IDH 2, which causes the body to produce an abnormal protein that promotes excessive cell growth. If you can target that mutation and stop the abnormal protein from being produced, then cells start behaving normally.”
Dandridge enrolled in a UT Southwestern clinical trial for a therapy called AG-221. He took four pills each morning for the next eight months. During that time, Dandridge saw marked improvement although he did not go into complete remission, according to Vusirikala.
That success made him eligible for a potentially curative stem cell transplant. But finding a donor proved challenging.
“The best chance of finding a full match is usually a full sibling; however, Chuck has no full siblings,” Vusirikala says. Additionally, Dandridge is African American, and minorities are under-represented in the National Marrow Donor Registry—about 70 percent of registry donors are Caucasian. The search for an unrelated donor was unsuccessful.
Vusirikala says that he knew Dandridge’s daughter and his son would be at least a half match. Since using a same-sex donor is preferred, as it reduces the risk of complications, his son Jon, 31, emerged as the best choice. But the risk of graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) following a transplant using a half-match is very high, so they needed a better way to deal with the GvHD risk.
Once again, Mr. Dandridge volunteered for a cutting-edge clinical trial, known as BP-001, which processed the stem cells used in the transplant to reduce the risk of rejection and engineered blood cells that can be targeted if GvHD develops after the transplant.
The processes being tested in BP-001 are in clinical development by Houston-based Bellicum Pharmaceuticals. The study is evaluating patients with blood cell cancers who have a peripheral blood stem cell transplant from a partially matched relative. Immune cells (T cells) from the related donor are separated from the rest of the stem cells and genetically engineered in the Bellicum laboratory, and then given to the patient along with the stem cell transplant.These engineered T cells are modified to include a suicide gene with the help of a retrovirus. If the patient develops GvHD after transplant, the side-effect can be treated by giving a drug called rimiducid to activate the suicide gene and cause the activated GvHD-causing cells to be eliminated. The stem cells given for the transplant were also processed prior to giving them back to Dandridge to reduce the risk of graft rejection as well as GvHD.
The genetically engineered blood cells were transplanted from Dandrige’s son, Jon, 31, to the father in three, two-hour infusions at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital in July, 2015, and today the elder Mr. Dandridge’s leukemia is in remission. His immune system is recovering, and the former Norman, Oklahoma YMCA CEO is now mentoring first-time CEOs for the YMCA.
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Amazing Stem Cell Research Breakthroughs You Never Heard of
Scientists have been studying stem cells for decades, and many of their findings, all pretty remarkable, aren’t widely circulated. Periodically, we will share one of these stem cell research breakthroughs here on this blog.
Summary: The skin renews, heals wounds, and regenerates the hair that covers it thanks to a small group of stem cells. These cells continually produce new ones, which appear on the skin surface after a few days. A 2008, released online July 28, 2016, has identified two proteins that are fundamental to conserve skin stem cells, and shows that without these proteins these cells are lost. Researchers find that these proteins, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, are altered similarly to tumor cells found in leukemia, lung cancer and colon cancer, which may help researchers discover if the proteins contribute to tumor development.
Amazing stem cell breakthroughs
Section of the epidermis showing all its layers, with cell borders in green and cell nuclei in blue (photo: Melissa Mangione)
The first amazing stem cell research breakthrough you may never heard of is a 2008 study, published online July28, 2016 in the journal “Cell Stem Cell,” titled “Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b Associate with Enhancers to Regulate Human Epidermal Stem Cell Homeostasis,” led by Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (CREA) researcher Salvador Aznar Benitah, initiated at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona).
Researchers identify two proteins— Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b—fundamental to conserving skin stem cells.
The study examines the continuous regeneration of the skin and hair that covers it, thanks to a small group of stem cells. Study researchers identified two proteins— Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b—that are fundamental to conserving skin stem cells. “Without these proteins, skin stem cells are not activated and the stem cells collapse and disappear from the tissue,” according Benitah, head of the Stem Cells and Cancer lab at IRB Barcelona.
Lorenzo Rinaldi, a la Caixa PhD student and first author of the study, identified all the regions of the genome that harbors these proteins. Rinaldi has observed that these two proteins exert their activity on gene enhancers and super-enhancers. Researchers were surprised to see that the two proteins, which had previously been associated with gene repression through DNA methylation, are activated in the most transcriptionally active regions of stem cells.
Researchers observe Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b at the genomic level for the first time
“We had never observed this activity because we were unable to study the global distribution
of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b at the genomic level,” Rinaldi says. “Thanks to advances in sequencing techniques, more researchers are observing the very mechanism that we have described.”Of the 12,000 gene enhancers in the genome, about 300 are super-enhancers related to stem cells. The two proteins exert their function in these regions in order to trigger the approx. 1,000 genes required for the self-renewing capacity of skin stem cells. By methylating the super-enhancer, these proteins trigger the first step of the machinery that leads to the amplified expression of these essential genes for the stem cell.
Link to cancer
Among the various features related to tumor cells are three components:
• these cells show altered DNA methylation.
• gene enhancers, in addition to the bodies of the genes themselves, are highly mutated. These observations have been made possible thanks to mass sequencing of tumor cell genomes.
• these two proteins, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, are altered in many types of tumors, such as those encountered in leukemia, lung cancer and colon cancer.
Each of these three components is associated with the development of various kinds of cancer. Given that these proteins activate gene expression enhancers through DNA methylation, researchers believe that further studies of them in cancer cells would be helpful in determining whether they participate in tumor development.
The study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and ERDFs. Benitah’s lab is also supported by The European Council for Research (ERC), the Worldwide Cancer Research Foundation, the Fundació Marató de TV3, the Fundación Vencer el Cáncer, the Fundación Botín and the Government of Catalonia.
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Stem Cell “Tattoo” Technology Allows Researchers to Track Cell Implants Non-invasively
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a tracer ink—a “stem cell tattoo”—that provides the ability to monitor stem cells in unprecedented detail after they’re injected.
The research findings, titled “Bifunctional Magnetic Silica Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Human Stem Cell Labeling,” was published in June in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Already emerging as an ideal probe for noninvasive cell tracking, the technology has the potential to revolutionize stem cell research by arming scientists with the ability to visually follow the pathways and effectiveness of stem cell therapies in the body, in real time.
“Tattoo” tracer can help further development of stem cell therapies
University of Toronto biomedical engineering professor Hai-Ling Margaret Cheng, a biomedical engineer who specializes in medical imaging, says the new technology allows researchers to actually see and track stem cells after they’re injected. Cheng hopes the technique will help expedite the development and use of stem cell therapies.
Working with colleague Xiao-an Zhang, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Toronto, Scarborough, Cheng developed a singular chemical compound known as a contrast agent that acts as a tracer. Composed of manganese, an element that naturally occurs in the body, this tracer compound, called MnAMP, bathes stem cells in a green solution, rendering them traceable inside the body under MRI.
Stem cell tracer ink allows long term cell tracking
The contrast agent “ink” first enters a stem cell by penetrating its membrane. Once inside, it stimulates a chemical reaction that prevents it from seeping out of the cell the same way it entered. Previous versions of contrast agents easily escaped cells. By establishing a way to contain the ink within the cell’s walls, the research team achieved the ability to track the cells long term once they are inside the body.
University of Toronto professor Margaret Cheng holds samples of a chemical compound that will create a new way to visualize stem cells inside the body. (Photo: Bernard Weil, Toronto Star)
According to Cheng, some basic contrast agents are already available for use in humans, but none are capable of tracking cells over a long period of time. Contrast agents work by illuminating the deepest and darkest corners of a person’s internal architecture so they appear clearly under X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and MRIs. An example of a currently used contrasting agent would be the barium sulfate solution given to patients to help diagnose certain disorders of the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
The thick substance coats the esophagus and other areas of the body with an illuminating compound, making them visible in an x-ray or CT scan. But the barium solution is eliminated from the body within 2 – 3 days or less. Before the stem cell tattoo tracer ink was developed, surgery was the only option for scientists to get a literal glance of a cells’ destiny after it was injected into the body. Now, researchers can track the results in real time, without resorting to any invasive procedures.
“Before, we could not visually track the cells once they were introduced into the body,” Cheng says. “Now we have the ability to view cells in a non-invasive manner using MRI, and monitor them for potentially a very long time.”
Cell tracer technology still in developmental stage
Currently the tracer ink technology is still in the early development phase and requires more animal testing. Cheng is hopeful it can proceed to human clinical trials in about 10 years. While Cheng has already proven that tattooing an animal’s embryonic stem cell doesn’t affect its ability to transform into a functional heart cell, rat, or even a pig (which better represents a human’s size), larger models are up for evaluation next.
In those test cases, researchers will cut off and reduce blood flow in the animals to mimic the effects of damage caused by a human heart attack. Cardiac stem cells pre-tagged with Cheng’s ink tracer technology will then be injected into the damaged tissue. Using MRI to monitor the luminous inked stem cells in action, researchers can non-invasively follow where in the body they’re traveling and more easily determine if the new cells are responsible for restoring normal heart rhythm.
Before it can be tested in humans, the chemical tracer will also have to pass rigorous toxicology tests to ensure its safety.
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New Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapies Aim to Protect Patients from Charlatan Quackery
Stem cell research has never been more advanced, and as a result many different types of treatments are currently offered on the market. Unfortunate
ly, some providers are practicing quackery in stem cell therapies, and an abundance of well-intentioned scientific and medical personnel are prematurely publicizing their work. These providers and publishers have cast an unfair shadow of mistrust on this very important branch of medical research and potential treatments.
On the other hand, the contributions of professional medical and stem cell societies and other organizations require self-regulation through accreditation and certification, development of standards, and creation of a platform for collaboration among stakeholders.
Professional Guidelines for responsible Stem Cell Research
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is the largest professional organization of stem cell scientists. In 2007, ISSCR impaneled a broad international taskforce to develop a set of professional guidelines for responsible translational stem cell research. Their principles include high standards of preclinical evidence, peer review, scrupulous review of clinical protocol by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), rigorous informed consent, and publication of results whether positive or negative.
The general scientific consensus is that most stem cell therapies are not ready for marketing or commercialization. But the industries that are providing these treatments are increasingly sophisticated and organized, and are challenging established regulatory frameworks.
The International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) has an interest in the promotion of stem cell research and development, but it also is interested in a broader range of cell-based interventions such as immune cell interventions, reproductive medicine, and gene therapy. The ISCT taskforce has working groups on definitions, scientific evidence and biological rationale, laboratory cell processing, clinical practice, regulation, commercial implications, communications, and policy.
Develop terminology, define levels of scientific evidence in new guidelines for stem cell research
The key goals are to develop an appropriate terminology, define the levels of scientific evidence needed to justify routine use or commercialization of a stem cell therapy, address questions of “experimental” and “innovative” use, and understand the global regulatory landscape in order to identify gaps and contradictions.
The ISSCR published revised guidelines for research and clinical translation involving stem cells on May 12, 2016. These new guidelines update and combine guidelines on stem cell research and clinical translation previously issued in 2006 and 2008 Jonathan Kimmelman, Associate Professor of Biomedical Ethics at McGill University, chaired the ISSCR Guidelines Update Task Force. The task force was made up of 25 experts in basic research, clinical research, and bioethics, and received feedback from 85 external individuals and organizations.
2016 guidelines: covering new ground in stem cell research
The 2016 guidelines cover new ground in areas such as gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cells. They introduce a new focus on the communication of results. The task force recognizes that results and potential applications can be exaggerated, leading to distorted understandings of research outcomes in the scientific community, popular press, and among potential patients. The “14-day rule” limiting experimentation on human embryos or embryo-like structures is upheld in these guidelines, although one task-force member has suggested that this may soon be open to revision.
In May, 2016 ISSCR released the following list of all of the new topics addressed in the revised guidelines as part of the announcement of its report:
- Define an Embryo Research Oversight (EMRO) process to encompass both human embryonic stem cell research and human embryo research that may not explicitly pertain to stem cells or generating new stem cell lines;
- Exclude the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from specific stem cell research oversight, and instead call on the existing human subjects review processes to oversee donor cell recruitment (iPS cells behave like embryonic stem cells but are derived by reprogramming more differentiated tissue cells);
- Support laboratory-based research that entails gene editing of the nuclear genomes of human sperm, egg, or embryos, when performed under rigorous review, but hold that any attempt to apply this clinically would be premature and should be prohibited at this time;
- Define principles for evaluating both basic and clinically applied research on mitochondrial replacement therapy, in concordance with recent deliberations in the U.K., U.S., and elsewhere;
- Determine that where there is no undue financial inducement to participate, it may be acceptable to compensate women who donate eggs for research;
- Recognize that the development of increasingly complex in vitro models of early stages of human development should undergo specialized review;
- Highlight opportunities to strengthen preclinical studies in stem cell research, including reproducibility and stringent standards for experimental design;
- Call for robust standards for preclinical and clinical research evidence as clinical trials progress and rigorous evaluation for safety and efficacy before marketing approval;
- Address the valuable contributions made by patients or patient groups to support clinical research and a framework to ensure this is achieved without compromising the integrity of the research;
- Highlight the responsibility of all groups communicating stem cell science and medicine—scientists, clinicians, industry, science communicators, and media—to present accurate, balanced reports of progress and setbacks.
The good news is that stem cell research is evolving into a highly respected and in-demand branch of healing that many consider to be the future of medicine. Since pluripotent stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell, they are used in the development of medical treatments for a wide range of conditions including physical trauma, degenerative conditions, and genetic diseases (in combination with gene therapy). Further treatments using stem cells are being developed due to stem cells’ ability to repair extensive tissue damage.
Great levels of success and potential have been achieved from research using adult stem cells. In early 2009, the FDA approved the first human clinical trials using embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, which means they can become any cell type of the body, with the exception of placental cells. More and more is being discovered about the plasticity of adult stem cells, increasing the potential number of cell types an adult stem cell can become.
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Researchers Move Closer to Lung Stem Cell Therapies to Treat Chronic Lung Diseases
Chronic lung diseases are the third leading causes of death in the U.S. Chronic lung diseases include a collection of illnesses that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues, including primarily chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, emphysema and asthma. Lung disease involves changes in cells within the lungs, and while research on lung stem cell therapies may not only shed light on their causes, it may provide the groundwork for future treatments.
Stem cells in the lung
Human lungs are hard working organs. In an average lifetime, human lungs take 20-40 million breaths and experience a daily airflow of between 1,850 and 2,640 gallons. Human lungs are made up of two distinct regions:
- The conducting airway tubes, including the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.
- The gas exchange regions, or alveolar spaces.
Medical researchers have discovered that these regions each contain unique types of stem cells and progenitor cells. In normal lungs, an abundance of progenitor cells is present in each region, which divide to replace old or damaged lung cells to keep the lungs healthy. The progenitor cells include tracheal basal cells, bronchiolar secretory cells (known as club cells), and alveolar type 2 cells. Progenitor cell division is believed to be sufficient to renew the lung’s structure throughout normal adult life.
Stem cells are far less abundant than progenitors, but are found in both embryonic and adult lungs. Some stem cells assist in initial lung development, while others help repair and regenerate the lung throughout one’s lifetime. Problematic stem cells may actually contribute to lung diseases. In mouse lungs, certain rare stem cells have been located in the conducting airway tubes after to severe injury—for example, flu infection. These rare cells can divide and produce new cells that contribute to both the airway and gas exchange regions. These cells have also been grown in vitro and used as a proof-of-concept treatment in injured mouse lungs.
Wnt2+ CPPs (green cells) populate multiple cell lineages in the developing lung including airway and vascular smooth muscle. The smooth muscle of the branching airways and large blood vessels are stained in red.
Adult mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)
Adult human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are the focus of a number of clinical applications. The advantage of hMSCs is that they are immuno-modulatory— capable of modifying or regulating one or more immune functions—and versatile due to the anti-inflammatory and regenerative bioactive molecules they secrete.
hMSCs have the potential to orchestrate reparative processes in diseased or injured tissues. Much of the diversity and uniqueness of hMSCs is defined by their response to the environment of injured tissue. hMSCs are sensitive to their site-specific microenvironment, and scientists anticipate that these cells will deliver the bioactive agents in a site-specific manner quite different from the way pharmaceutical drugs work in the treatment of lung diseases.
hMSCs are non-hematopoietic, multi-potent progenitor cells with the capacity to generate bone marrow stromal cells as well as adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes in suitable tissue and other organ sites.
Studying lung stem cells sheds light on the causes of lung disease
A better understanding of lung stem cell and progenitor cell biology can improve our knowledge of how the healthy lung works. This in turn will shed light on the causes of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Such research could lead to the development of new treatments for lung disease. In fact, lung stem cells may be used in future therapies to repair or regenerate the lungs of patients with severe lung damage or disease.
Current research
Lung stem cells have most frequently been identified and characterized in mice. Studies on mice have allowed researchers to identify the differences between embryonic and adult lung stem cells, discover the role of stem cells in lung repair, and investigate how changes to lung stem cells may lead to lung disease. A current focus of research includes testing if the same stem and progenitor cell populations can be identified in human lungs.
Identifying progenitor and stem cells before and after lung injury
Researchers are also working to determine the role of stem cells in various human lung diseases, including lung cancer and COPD. They have begun examining potential clinical applications of stem cell therapies with several ‘first-in-human’ studies to investigate whether lung stem cells might enhance organ replacement or regeneration in patients.
The future of stem cells in treating lung disease
As researchers continue to improve their understanding of the exact identity and function of human lung stem cells, the potential for clinical applications will be divulged. Researchers will identify methods to control lung stem cells, which can then be tested as treatments for lung diseases. Further research will also investigate the uses of lung stem cells for personalized medicine.
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Stem Cell Research and Stem Cell Therapy: When can stem cells be used to treat patients?
The difference between stem cell research and therapy is in the scientific evidence that supports therapeutic intervention to be beneficial for the patient.
Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues, stem cells serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the individual is alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Stem cell research on adult stem cells
Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions.
Until recently, scientists primarily worked with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans: embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells in stem cell research.
In 2006, researchers made a breakthrough by identifying conditions that would allow some specialized adult cells to be “reprogrammed” genetically to assume a stem cell-like state. This new type of stem cell is called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Stem cells are important for living organisms for many reasons. In the 3- to 5-day-old embryo, called a blastocyst, the inner cells give rise to the entire body of the organism, including all of the many specialized cell types and organs such as the heart, lungs, skin, sperm, eggs and other tissues. In some adult tissues, such as bone marrow, muscle, and brain, discrete populations of adult stem cells generate replacements for cells that are lost through normal wear and tear, injury, or disease.
Stem cell research for treating disease
Given their unique regenerative abilities, stem cells offer new potentials for treating diseases such as diabetes, and heart disease. However, much work remains to be done in the laboratory and the clinic to understand how to use these cells for cell-based therapies to treat disease, which is also referred to as regenerative or reparative medicine.
Laboratory studies of stem cells enable scientists to learn about the cells’ essential properties and what makes them different from specialized cell types. Scientists are already using stem cells in the laboratory to screen new drugs and to develop model systems to study normal growth and identify the causes of birth defects.
Research on stem cells continues to advance knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. Stem cell research is one of the most fascinating areas of contemporary biology, but, as with many expanding fields of scientific inquiry, research on stem cells raises scientific questions as rapidly as it generates new discoveries.
In 1964, the World Medical Association developed the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of
ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. It includes research on identifiable human material and data, last amended in October 2013.
According to the Helsinki Declaration, in the treatment of an individual patient where proven interventions do not exist or other known interventions have been ineffective, the physician, after seeking expert advice, with informed consent from the patient or a legally authorized representative, may use an unproven intervention if in the physician’s judgement it offers hope of saving life, re-establishing health or alleviating suffering.
Intervention should subsequently be made the object of research, designed to evaluate its safety and efficacy. In all cases, new information must be recorded and, where appropriate, made publicly available.
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