September 28, 2010 by

Stem Cell Institute Stem Cell Clinic Publishes Successful Treatment of Heart Failure Patient

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – The Stem Cell Institute reported today publication in the peer reviewed journal, International Archives of Medicine, of a heart failure patient who underwent profound recovery after receiving adult stem cell therapy. The publication is freely available at www.intarchmed.com.

“Stem cell therapy is experimental, and although the results discussed in the paper are promising, only the conduct of double-blinded, placebo controlled trials, will allow definitive conclusions to be drawn”, said Dr. Paz Rodriguez, Medical Director of the Cellmedicine Panama clinic and coauthor of the study.

The heart failure patient described in the study received stem cell therapy on November 2007, presenting with an ejection fraction of 25-30%. At follow-ups on June 2008, August, and Oct 2009, the ejection fraction stabilized at 40%. A major improvement in quality of life was reported. Biochemical markers of heart failure decreased. No treatment associated adverse reactions were noted.

“To date our group has published results on multiple sclerosis, non-ischemic heart failure, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients in collaboration with major American Universities including University of California San Diego, Indiana University, and University of Utah. By publishing our data in a scientific forum, we welcome discussion and interaction, which will lead to advanced patient care not only in Panama City but internationally.” Concluded Dr. Paz Rodriguez.

The Cellmedicine Institutes offer adult stem cell therapy for patients suffering from a variety of degenerative conditions. More information is available at www.cellmedicine.com.

Filed Under: Heart Disease, News, Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , ,
May 17, 2010 by

Stem Cell Institute Panama Clinic Case Report of Successful Treatment of Heart Failure Patient Published

Adult stem cell therapy is currently in numerous clinical trials in the United States and Internationally. A sample of ongoing trials can be seen at
www.clinicaltrials.gov if you search for the words "stem cell". In clinical trials the objective is to determine safety (in Phase I), efficacy in an unblinded manner (Phase II) and efficacy in a blinded manner (Phase III). Numerous stem cell clinical trials are in Phase II, meaning that although safety has been established there is a question of efficacy. Patients with terminal
diseases sometimes make the informed decision not to wait until efficacy trials are completed and to go to stem cell clinics that offer similar procedures being
performed in clinical trials, but without the risk of offering the patient a placebo. The additional benefit to patients of making this choice is that they are offered treatment rapidly, whereas getting into a clinical trial could mean months on a waiting list.

The stem cell clinic Cellmedicine has been offering this choice to patients. Unlike other stem cell clinics, Cellmedicine has made it a priority to publish its protocols, scientific rationale, and outcomes in the peer reviewed literature. This means that all the scientists and doctors in the world can learn about the work being performed at Cellmedicine and offer comments/suggestions on it.

Today Cellmedicine announced publication of a paper in the peer reviewed journal, International Archives of Medicine, of a patient with terminal heart failure who underwent profound recovery after receiving adult stem cell therapy. The publication is freely available at

http://www.intarchmed.com/content/pdf/1755-7682-3-5.pdf.

The patient discussed in the report was administered adult stem cells in November 2007, when his heart had an ejection fraction of 25-30%. The ejection fraction is a quantitative measurement of the heart’s pumping activity. On June 2008, August, and Oct 2009, this marker of function increased to 40%. The patient reported a major improvement in quality of life. Additionally, proteins in the blood associated with heart failure were decreased.

Given that the report was based on only one patient, doctors at the clinic are excited but still caution in their statements.

"Stem cell therapy is a new science, and although the results discussed in the paper are promising, only the conduct of double-blinded, placebo controlled trials will allow definitive conclusions to be drawn," said Dr. Paz Rodriguez, Medical Director of the Cellmedicine Panama clinic and coauthor of the study.

In the publication, Cellmedicine provides detailed rationale for how the stem cell therapy may be affecting the process of heart failure. Data from other studies was described which states that stem cells can:

a) Directly differentiate into new heart cells

b) Stimulate the body’s ability to generate new heart muscle by activating dormant stem cells that already exist in the heart

c) Cause formation of new blood vessels that accelerate the healing process.

Heart failure is only one of the conditions that Cellmedicine treats.

"To date our group has published results on multiple sclerosis, non-ischemic heart failure, and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients in collaboration with major
American Universities including University of California San Diego, Indiana University, and University of Utah. By publishing our data in a scientific forum, we welcome discussion and interaction, which will lead to advanced patient care not only in Panama City but internationally," concluded Dr. Paz Rodriguez.

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, Heart Disease, Heart Disease, News, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , ,
May 7, 2010 by

Biomedical Ethics in a Brave, New World

Dennis Trammell Pastor of the First Baptist Church at
Possum Kingdom Lake, near Graford was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999
when his vision decreased in one eye, a symptom of multiple sclerosis called
optic neuritis. Over the years he has been receiving numerous conventional
medications that dealt with the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However in July
2008, his illness advanced to the secondary progressive phase of the disease.
Having no treatment options available, two months later, he went to the
Cellmedicine clinic to receive adult stem cell therapy.

To date over 200 patients with multiple sclerosis have been
treated with adult stem cells by Cellmedicine. Adult stem cells such as those
derived from the patient’s own fat have the ability to help the nervous system
heal itself from damage, as well as "reprogram" the immune system to stop
attacking the body. This is explained in a scientific publication that
Cellmedicine and collaborators from the University of California San Diego have
written

www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-7-29.pdf and is
explained in this video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC0VkR3gRoA.

Alluding to the controversy surrounding stem cells, which
was particularly relevant to Pastor Trammell, he stated, "I really questioned
before agreeing to take part in the treatments what type of stem cells were
used". Several stem cell clinics use fetal-derived stem cells. Pastor Trammell
highly objected to this possibility based on moral principal. From a medical
perspective fetal stem cells are dangerous given the possibility of cancer
formation. Accordingly, he was pleased to learn that that Cellmedicine clinic
uses only stem cells from adult sources.

The Pastor reports a significant increase in his energy
level, "I had gotten to the point where a nap was needed on a regular basis. But
since the treatment, a daily nap is no longer needed," he said. Other multiple
sclerosis patients treated at Cellmedicine have reported similar beneficial
effects. Holly Huber from San Diego suffered from loss of balance,
incontinence, fatigue and like Pastor Trammell, optic neuritis. Here is a video
of Holly describing her story
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqtBfArn1I0.

The issue of using stem cells is considered by many
stakeholders in the religious community. "We’re still dealing with the age-old
question: "Given what can be done, ought we?’ But the list of ‘can-do’ options
in health care get longer each day; hence, also the ‘ought’ questions and the
complexities of knowing right from wrong, good from bad," said Tarris Rosell,
professor at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Rosemary Flanigan
Chair in the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City, Mo.

However, it seems like adult stem cells are not only
acceptable, but in some cases endorsed as an alternative to embryonic stem
cells. This is highlighted by the recent funding of adult stem cell research by
the Vatican

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/23/world/main6424439.shtml

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, News, Stem Cell Research Tagged With: , ,
February 27, 2010 by

Coach’s fight a team effort

Sam Harrell is a well-known Ennis football coach and father of Texas Tech’s former quarterback Graham Harrell. Steve Betik has worked in construction for decades. Both of them suffer from multiple sclerosis. When they asked the Ennis chiropractor Dr. William Davis about using stem cells for their condition, his reaction was that it would be expensive, but if they wanted to go for it, he would help raise the needed funds. Both of them have registered for an experimental stem cell therapy offered in Central America by Cellmedicine. This is the same stem cell treatment that allowed Texas Fort Worth Police Sergeant Preston Walker, a patient with multiple sclerosis be able to
return to work after failing to respond to the medication given by his neurologist.

Treatment for multiple sclerosis generally addresses symptoms, but when conventional approaches stop inducing responses, there are very little options left. One area of active investigation has been stem cell therapy. Although very new, a small three-year study by the Northwestern University School of Medicine concluded last year that stem cell transplants from the patients’ own bodies might help control or even reverse symptoms.

Unfortunately, FDA approval of such methods, even if documented in larger research, is years away. Specifically, three phases of clinical trials have to be conducted. Phase I involves testing of safety. Phase II clinical trials
test whether there is a therapeutic effect, however these are “unblinded” in that the patients know that they are receiving an experimental treatment, thus the possibility exists of placebo effect. Phase III clinical trials are performed at multiple hospitals in a “double blinded” manner so that neither the doctor, nor patient knows whether they are receiving the treatment or the placebo. At present stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis has only reached
Phase I/II clinical trials.

Companies such as www.cellmedicine.com offer stem cell therapy based on the same science and medical practices used in the United States. To date over 200 patients with multiple sclerosis have been treated by Cellmedicine, however they openly state that the procedure is experimental. This did not deter Sam Harrell and Steve Betik.They are scheduled to fly together in June to the Cellmedicine clinic in Central America, where Harrell is expected to remain two weeks; Betik, a month.

In order to raise funds to support their treatment, the Ennis football boosters club, in conjunction with the town’s chamber of commerce, is hosting a dinner and auction April 10. Davis and others hope that any excess funds they raise through the Foundation for Hope will be applied to an annual fundraiser for anyone with special needs.

“We’re like babies crawling,” Davis said of their efforts. “Who knows what the future will hold?”

Patients interested in learning more about Cellmedicine can go to the website www.cellmedicine.com or view videos at www.youtube.com/cellmedicine

Filed Under: Multiple Sclerosis, News, Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , ,