Panama City, Panama
Neil Riordan, PhD Presents at American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine’s 22nd Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Aesthetic Medicine in Orlando, May 15 (via PRWeb)
Neil Riordan, PhD will Present “Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases” at the 22nd Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging, Regenerative and Aesthetic Medicine at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando, Florida as…
Stem Cell Institute Welcomes Special Guest Speaker Roberta F. Shapiro DO, FAAPM&R to Stem Cell Therapy Public Seminar in New York City May 17th, 2014 (via PRWeb)
The Stem Cell Institute located in Panama City, Panama, welcomes special guest speaker Roberta F. Shapiro, DO, FAAPM&R to its public seminar on umbilical cord stem cell therapy on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown…
New York, NY (PRWEB) April 09, 2014
The Stem Cell Institute, located in Panama City, Panama, will present an informational umbilical cord stem cell therapy seminar on Saturday, May 17, 2014 in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Speakers include:
Neil Riordan PhD – “Clinical Trials: Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Autism and Spinal Cord Injury”
Dr. Riordan is the founder of the Stem Cell Institute and Medistem Panama Inc.
Jorge Paz-Rodriguez MD – “Stem Cell Therapy for Autoimmune Disease: MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus”
Dr. Paz is the Medical Director at the Stem Cell Institute. He practiced internal medicine in the United States for over a decade before joining the Stem Cell Institute in Panama.
Light snacks will be served afterwards. Our speakers and stem cell therapy patients will also be on hand to share their personal experiences and answer questions.
Admission is free but space in limited and registration is required. For venue information and to register and reserve your tickets today, please visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/stem-cell-institute-seminar-tickets-11115112601 or call Cindy Cunningham, Patient Events Coordinator, at 1 (800) 980-7836.
About Stem Cell Institute Panama
Founded in 2007 on the principles of providing unbiased, scientifically sound treatment options; the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) has matured into the world’s leading adult stem cell therapy and research center. In close collaboration with universities and physicians world-wide, our comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols employ well-targeted combinations of autologous bone marrow stem cells, autologous adipose stem cells, and donor human umbilical cord stem cells to treat: multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.
In partnership with Translational Biosciences, a subsidiary of Medistem Panama, SCI provides clinical services for ongoing clinical trials that are assessing safety and signs of efficacy for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis using allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC), autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and hU-MSC-derived mesenchymal trophic factors (MTF). In 2014, Translation Biosciences expects to expand its clinical trial portfolio to include spinal cord injury, heart disease, autism and cerebral palsy.
To-date, SCI has treated over 2000 patients.
For more information on stem cell therapy:
Stem Cell Institute Website: https://www.celllmedicine.com
Stem Cell Institute
Via Israel & Calle 66
Plaza Pacific Office #2A
Panama City, Panama
About Medistem Panama Inc.
Since opening its doors in 2007, Medistem Panama Inc. has developed adult stem cell-based products from human umbilical cord tissue and blood, adipose (fat) tissue and bone marrow. Medistem operates an 8000 sq. ft. ISO 9001-certified laboratory in the prestigious City of Knowledge. The laboratory is fully licensed by the Panamanian Ministry of Health and features 3 class 10000 clean rooms, class 100 laminar flow hoods, and class 100 incubators.
Medistem Panama Inc.
Ciudad del Saber, Edif. 221 / Clayton
Panama, Rep. of Panama
Phone: +507 306-2601
Fax: +507 306-2601
About Translational Biosciences
A subsidiary of Medistem Panama Inc., Translational Biosciences was founded solely to conduct clinical trials using adult stem cells and adult stem cell-derived products.
Translational Biosciences webSite: http://www.translationalbiosciences.com
Email: trials(at)translationalbiosciences(dot)com
In part 2, Dr. Riordan discusses how mesenchymal stem cells can affect tissue repair in spinal cord injury and in heart failure; benefit to heart is not the actual MSCs modeling new tissue. It is due to the trophic effects of MSC secretions; In rats, severed spinal cords re-grew after MSCs were implanted but the human MSCs did not form new cord tissue. The trophic factors secreted by the MSCs enable the spinal cord to repair itself.; Trophic factors from MSCs modulate the immune system by blocking clonal expansion of cytotoxic T-cells; There are 35 ongoing clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells for autoimmune diseases; Safety of donor MSCs; Every mother has MSCs from each baby she has carried; Mothers have a lower incidence of autoimmune disease; Lifespan of mothers increased linearly with each child up to 14; There are 85 ongoing clinical trials using donor MSCs. Allogeneic MSCs from bone marrow have been approved in Canada and New Zealand to treat graft vs. host disease; limbal cells used in corneal transplants are MSCs; MSCs are useful in preventing donated organ rejection; glioma growth was found to be inhibited by MSCs; MSCs eliminated breast cancer in rats.
Neil Riordan, PhD is the Founder of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama. He is also the Co-Founder of Medistem Inc in San Diego and the current President of Medistem Panama. Dr. Riordan is speaking at a Stem Cell Institute patient outreach event held in Miami in May 2013.
In part 1, Dr. Riordan discusses the background of Medistem Panama and the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) in Panama. He presents the types of stem cells used at SCI: Patient’s own bone marrow, Patient’s own fat tissue and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells donated from live, healthy births. Dr. Riordans goes on to discuss: collaborations with UC San Diego, Indiana University, University of Utah and University of Western Ontario; patents and publications; Medistem Panama lab, clean rooms and equipment; Why the Stem Cell Institute is in Panama; Panamanian stem cell laws; What are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ?, mesenchymal stem cell homing, how MSCs induce repair, how MSCs modulate the immune system, young vs. old MSCs, Are MSCs safe?; MSCs are actually pericytes. They are found throughout the body in all vascular tissues around blood vessels, bone marrow, umbilical cord, placental tissue, menstrual blood and teeth; Stem Cell Institute’s source of umbilical cord MSCs: live, healthy birth, mother screened for medical history, consent from family for donation, mother tested for infectious diseases, cord tested for infectious diseases and sterility; the mesengenic process; how pericytes respond to injury and form “medicinal MSCs”; MSCs are anti-apoptotic, anti-scaring, angiogenic, and mitotic.; MSCs are also immunomodulatory; MSC homing in rats; Human MSCs decline drastically with age; Stem Cell Institute uses umbilical cord-derived MSCs because they are non-tumorigenic, very robust – high number of doublings, faster doubling time,; What does ‘doubling’ mean?; Effects of aging on MSCs.
In part 5, Prof. Caplan discusses: Mesenchymal stem cells produce huge quantities of bio-molecules, some of which are immunosuppressive; MSCs put up a curtain of molecules around themselves that allows donor (allogeneic) MSCs to be transplanted into a recipient free from immune response; The bio-chemical mechanism of how MSCs shield themselves from host T Cells; Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell business model; Treatment of graft vs. host disease in children and adults; Treatment of Crohn’s disease with allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells.
Uccelli A, Prockop DJ. Curr Opin Immunol. 2010 Dec;22(6):768-74. Epub
As many readers of Cellmedicine News most likely realize, the concept of stem cell therapy is still relatively controversial. Despite the fact that clinical trials have demonstrated therapeutic signals that various stem cells are useful in treatment of diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis, to type 1 diabetes, to lupus, people, especially uninformed people in the public media, still treat the field of stem cell therapy of autoimmunity as something “controversial”. This is why we were pleasantly surprised to read the recently published paper of Dr. Darwin Prockop, from Tulane University, which actually used the word “cure” in the title.
In the paper animal and clinical data is reviewed describing effects of a particular type of stem cell, the mesenchymal stem cell, in treatment of autoimmunity. Mesenchymal stem cells were originally found in the bone marrow, and subsequently discovered in other tissues. These cells are capable of generating new tissues, but perhaps more importantly, have been demonstrated to be potent secretors of various growth factors and to modulate the immune system. We discuss some of these points on our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEJfGu29Rg8
The paper focuses much attention on multiple sclerosis and the detailed animal experimentation in the mouse model of this disease, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), which has provided some detailed clues about how these cells may work. Induction of EAE is typically performed by immunizing mice with peptides or proteins that are found in the myelin. This induces an immune response that attacks the myelin and results in a progressive degeneration of the myelin sheath, as well as loss of function which mimics the human disease. Many of the studies discussed in the paper support the general hypothesis that the mesenchymal stem cells are acting to “reprogram” the immune system in order to stop the immune attack against the myelin but preserve other components of the immune system. The authors then extrapolate how these immunomodulatory mechanisms may have activity against other types of autoimmune conditions.
Currently there are several clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells for autoimmune conditions. These may be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov if you search the words “stem cells” and “autoimmune.”
Today DARA BioSciences announced a strategic partnership with America Stem Cell Inc. (ASC) for the R&D of transplants in which the adult stem cells known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are used. The announcement represents a logical continuation of preclinical studies in which dipeptidylpeptidase (DPPIV) inhibitors were found to improve the efficacy of HSC transplantation, which is often employed in the treatment of many malignant as well as non-malignant hematological disorders.
Scientists at DARA will provide the DPPIV inhibitors to scientists at ASC, who in turn will collaborate with DARA in the further development and commercialization of the inhibitors for the clinical therapeutic treatment of patients who need HSC transplants.
Based in Raleigh, North Carolina, the pharmaceutical company DARA BioSciences specializes in the acquisition and development of "small molecule" therapeutics for the subsequent sale or out-licensing of the therapies to larger pharmaceutical companies. The company’s portfolio includes several drug candidates for the treatment of Type II diabetes, psoriasis, and neuropathic pain in cancer patients. One of DARA’s proprietary products, KRN5500, has already successfully completed a Phase II-a clinical trial for neuropathic pain that is secondary to cancer.
Founded in 2005 and located in Carlsbad, California, America Stem Cell Inc. describes itself as "a privately held biotechnology company dedicated to the development and commercialization of enabling technologies to enhance and expand the therapeutic potential of stem cell transplants." The company employs hematopoietic stem cells derived from cord blood, peripheral blood and bone marrow, from which the proprietary products ASC-101 and ASC-201 are formulated, and which, as described on the company’s website, have demonstrated "potential for many other clinical applications such as treatment of inflammation from chemotherapy/radiation, treatment of cancer tumors, autoimmune diseases and myocardial infarction." Previously, ASC has formed a number of other strategic partnerships with other organizations which include the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Vidacord Technologia Biomedica, and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Today Osiris Therapeutics announced a $750,000 milestone payment from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for progress in its Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of Type I diabetes. The clinical trial is testing the company’s proprietary product, Prochymal, which is formulated from adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The milestone payment was triggered when one-half of the patients were enrolled in the study, which has a target enrollment of 60 participants. Additionally, the clinical trial is now being expanded to include pediatric patients and is also conducting enrollment for patients between 12 and 35 years of age.
According to C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., president and CEO of Osiris, "We are proud to be working alongside the JDRF in this landmark trial to evaluate the role of mesenchymal stem cells in patients with Type I diabetes. Caring for kids with limited medical options is a very special part of life at Osiris and we take that responsibility seriously. The progress we are making in this clinical program is remarkable and would not be possible without our patients, clinical teams, and the FDA’s thoughtful and responsive assistance."
Osiris and the JDRF originally entered into the partnership in 2007, for the development of Prochymal as a therapy for Type I diabetes, especially in the early stages of the disease when it has been newly diagnosed.
One of the many autoimmune diseases, Type I diabetes is characterized by the body’s destruction of its own beta islet cells – the cells of the pancreas which produce insulin. Conventional medical therapies currently offer no known effective treatment for the disease, but adult stem cell therapy may now offer the first therapy which not only reverses the course of diabetes but also regenerates lost beta cells. MSCs were shown in a preclinical trial conducted by Genzyme to preserve beta cell function, and a number of other studies have also demonstrated that MSCs have the ability to generate new cells that resemble beta islet cells in morphology and function.
In addition to this Phase II clinical trial for Type I diabetes, Prochymal is also currently in Phase III clinical trials for acute steroid-refractory graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD), as well as Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, Crohn’s disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Prochymal is the only stem cell product currently on the market which has been granted both Fast Track and Orphan status by both the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the European Medicines Agency. The MSCs contained in Prochymal are obtained from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors and are specially formulated according to a proprietary process for intravenous infusion. Osiris is also developing another adult stem cell product, Chondrogen, which is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
A leader in adult stem cell therapies, Osiris Therapeutics is focused on the development of products for the treatment of inflammatory, orthopedic and cardiovascular diseases. In November of last year, Osiris formed a strategic alliance with the biotech company Genzyme that was valued at over $1.3 billion. In 2007, the two companies were awarded a $224.7 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense for the development of Prochymal in the treatment of radiation sickness.
(Please see a number of related news articles on this website pertaining to Osiris Therapeutics, including, "Adult Stem Cells Treat Diabetes", dated June 29, 2009).
Cris, a 5-year-old police dog in the San Francisco Bay Area, was suddenly faced with an early retirement following a muscle injury. Similarly, the 12-year-old mare and winner of the 2006 championship in Scotland, Marsh Mayfly, was incapacitated after incurring a torn tendon during a competition. But now, both animals have returned to their productive careers after having been treated with their own adult stem cells. In fact, in Cris’s case, a sonogram revealed that the dog’s previously injured hamstring muscle had been completely restored to its normal condition a mere 8 weeks after the adult stem cell therapy was administered.
Collectively, the U.S. company Vet-Stem and the U.K. company MedCell Biosciences have treated over 5,500 horses and 1,700 dogs with their respective autologous adult stem cell therapies, for which veterinarians usually charge around $3,000 per procedure. According to Dr. Hubert Kim, orthopedic surgeon and director of the Cartilage Repair and Regeneration Center at UC-San Francisco, "The results in animals provide an exciting look forward into what human therapies might look like. It gives you a snapshot of what may be possible."
As Dr. Gregory Ferraro, director of the Center for Equine Health at UC-Davis, explains, "Stem cell therapeutics is the most exciting development that has occurred in the 38 years I’ve been a veterinarian. By treating animal disease with stem cells, we can learn to treat animals better and find new ways to help humans."
The University of California at Davis boasts an impressive veterinary adult stem cell program which was funded in part by a $2.5 million donation from Dick Randall, a former real estate executive who now owns and breeds competition horses. When Hustlers Starlight, one of Randall’s horses, suffered a ligament injury, the veterinarian recommended Vet-Stem’s services. Within 2 months after treatment, the horse was exercising with a rider once again. Since then, Randall has had 8 other horses treated with Vet-Stem’s procedure. Similarly, Tim McQuay, who operates the 200-horse facility at McQuay Stables in Tioga, Texas, has had 50 horses treated by Vet-Stem, 90% of whom have shown dramatic improvement. Not only do the autologous adult stem cells regenerate damaged tissue, but they also exhibit important immunomodulatory properties that reduce inflammation. A number of clinical trials in horses and dogs have been published in the veterinary literature and are believed to be directly translatable to human therapies. As Sean Owens, assistant director of the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory at UC-Davis, points out, "Sometimes things get driven along because the public wants it. We want to show if this is as effective as the public thinks."
According to Linda Powers of Toucan Capital in Bethesda, Maryland, which provided $2.4 million in start-up funding for Vet-Stem in 2002, "The market is gigantic. We Americans are crazy for our pets." This year Vet-Stem expects to report around $4.5 million in revenue.
Indeed, the U.S. veterinary market is one of the largest in the world, which is precisely why MedCell of the U.K. entered the U.S. market last year by opening a branch in Florida, from which its VetCell unit has treated around 2,500 horses thus far. Additionally, the company also treats between 80 and 100 dogs per month.
While Vet-Stem’s procedure takes less than 48 hours to produce a ready-to-deliver therapy from adipose-derived stem cells, MedCell’s procedure takes 3 to 4 weeks to produce a stem cell therapy from bone-marrow-derived stem cells. In either case, the results are directly translatable to humans, and MedCell has received authorization from British regulators to begin human clinical trials during the first quarter of 2010 for the use of bone-marrow-derived autologous adult stem cells in the treatment of torn Achilles tendons and rotator cuffs. Results of the clinical trial are expected to be available in time for promotion of the treatment during the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Jan Nolta, director of the human stem cell program at the UC-Davis medical school, estimates that at least 1,000 people have participated in U.S. FDA-approved clinical trials in which adult stem cells were used as therapies for a wide variety of medical conditions which include not only orthopedic problems but also heart disease and autoimmune disorders, among others. By sharp contrast, not one person has yet received human embryonic stem cells in any clinical trials. As Robin Young, an investment analyst who follows stem cell companies, points out, "Orthopedics will be the sector of medicine where new technologies like stem cells will find their first utilization."
According to Dr. Gary Brown, the veterinarian who treated Cris the police dog as well as two other dogs, all 3 dogs "have done fantastic. We’ve got reason for hope here. We can take dogs that would go into early retirement and keep them fighting bad guys for many years."
