November 14, 2013 by

Stem Cell Therapy for Relapsing-Remitting MS

Bonnie, who suffers from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) received a combination of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived cells administered daily over the course of 5 days.

Just wanted to send an update as I am really excited! I received my very first stem cells on 10/22/13, it has been less then a month and I am happy to report that I have tons more energy by balance is improving every day, I have no more foot drop and not even a healing I was looking for but I put my glasses on the other day only to find they made my vision blurry I didn’t need them, I am already saving for my next treatment! I can’t thank you all enough as I feel like I have a future with my 5 small children now, if you ever need someone to talk to future patients I would be happy to scream my praises! Looking forward to more and more improvement!

Sincerely,
Bonnie Barrington

For more information about MS clinical investigations at the Stem Cell Insitute: Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Filed Under: Multiple Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Patient Stories, Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
July 31, 2013 by

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: Regeneration, Repair, Inflammation and Autoimmunity – Neil Riordan PhD (Part 2 of 2)

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.

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, Autoimmune Disease, Heart Failure, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Multiple Sclerosis, neil riordan, Neil Riordan PhD, News, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Cord Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Stem Cell Lecture Videos, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
June 19, 2013 by

VIDEO – The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine – Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 5)

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.

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, Arnold Caplan PhD, Autoimmune Disease, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, News, Stem Cell Lecture Videos, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cells, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
December 5, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: Bryan Gamez

Bryan-Gamez Stem Cells Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

Bryan Gamez – Stem Cell Recipient and Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject

I have been asked to speak about the treatment and my experience with people in my community.

I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 23 and received the the therapy at the age of 25.

I was working out at the gym 3 times per week until my ankle started hurting. Eventually, I had to stop all activity involving my ankle.

In the morning, I suffered from stiffness and limited flexibility in my joints: wrist, fingers, ankles, knees and hip. My fingers were swollen. I also had trouble kneeling down and gained a lot of weight as a result of my reduced physical activity.

“I could see myself in a wheelchair if I had not received this treatment. I think it saved my life.”

As things progressed, I could not even go for a leisurely walk and if I did manage to go, I couldn’t get out of bed the next morning. My daily work routine became more difficult as time went on. It was hard just to kneel down to pick up my pen. I had stopped doing pushups due to wrist pain.

My doctor prescribed Celebrex for pain and inflammation. I started taking Humira until I went for a jog one day. The next day, I had a major flare up throughout my body. It never worked again after that so I stopped taking it. The Celebrex helped me get through the day at work but I was still in pain.

Then by chance, my mom read about a stem cell therapy seminar being hosted by Dusty Durrill at Del Mar College and my dad went to it. I was skeptical but decided to go since someone like Dusty, whom we knew from our community went himself and spoke so highly of it.

The doctors at the Stem Cell Institute were very professional and nice. They immediately established a close relationship with me and made me feel like a person, not just a number. It was very personal . They were open and answered all of my questions. They treated me like “Bryan”.

Even the office staff was very helpful with non-medical issues. I do customer service all day and while in Panama, I received much more than just “customer service”.

I also got to go on a tour of the laboratory. I found the Q&A particularly helpful. It was nice to have an opportunity to have all issues regarding stem cells addressed.

Since receiving stem cell therapy, my pain level has gone way down. I noticed changes the first day. My hands became less stiff and the pain I usually felt when clenching my hands was reduced.

Now, I still have a little morning stiffness but it goes away quickly. Before treatment, it would linger for an hour or two. My joints are still a little inflamed but I have so much less pain. I just bought a new gym membership. I play racquetball and work out on the elliptical machine. I can bend down and pick up a pencil again and I am still improving! I still take Celebrex for inflammation due to the amount of exercise I am doing but its effect on me is 10-fold since I got the stem cells.

I feel very blessed to have found this treatment because it has done wonders for me and I will continue to recommend the therapy to anybody that may benefit from it.

I could see myself in a wheelchair if I had not received this treatment. I think it saved my life.

Bryan Gamez
bjgamez@gmail.com

Filed Under: Patient Stories, Rheumatoid Arthritis Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
December 5, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis: Dr. Janet Vaughan

Pro/Am Dancer is “Dancing with the Stars” Again After Stem Cell Therapy in Panama

Corpus Christi, TX (PRWEB) February 01, 2012

Stem Cell Recipient Janet Vaughan and Eddie Sutts

Dr. Janet Vaughan and Professional 10-Dance World Champion Eddie Stutts

Pro/Am ballroom dancer and orthodontist, Dr. Janet Vaughan, is once again slated to compete on the professional dance circuit with her current professional partner, Mr. Eddie Stutts (Professional 10-Dance World Champion) following a successful stem cell procedure on her knee in Panama.

From 2007-2009, Dr. Vaughan partnered with World Champion Tony Dovolani and competed extensively in the U.S., winning a National Reserve Pro/Am Rhythm title. Tony Dovolani is best known for his appearances on ABC’s hit reality series, “Dancing with the Stars”, and has teamed up with Chynna Phillips, Wendy Williams, Audrina Partridge, Kate Gosselin, Kathy Ireland, Susan Lucci, Jane Seymour and other celebrities on the show.

Dr. Vaughan and Mr. Stutts are slated to compete in the Heritage Classic Dancesport Championships in Asheville, North Carolina next month. This will be the first time Dr. Vaughan has been able to compete since 2010 when she sustained a dancing related knee injury.

Dr. Vaughan also suffered from chronic neck pain resulting from injuries sustained in a car crash twenty years ago. Her neck injury culminated in a natural fusion of the c5-c6 vertebrae, scoliosis and extreme pain when her neck slipped out of alignment.

In an attempt to repair her knee and get her dancing career back on track, Dr. Vaughan decided to undergo stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama. “I was basically removed from competitive dance work because I could not rise or squat without extreme pain. I had also resigned myself to enduring chronic neck pain from my past accident and painful hand joints due to generalized arthritis,” said Dr. Vaughan.

Janet-Vaughan-and-Tony-Dovolani

Dr. Janet Vaughan and “Dancing with the Stars” Tony Dovolani

Dr. Vaughan ‘s knee was treated with stem cells that were harvested from her own adipose (fat) tissue.

The fat tissue sample is collected via mini-liposuction, which is performed by a certified plastic surgeon under light, general anesthesia. Mesenchymal stem cells and T regulatory cells reside within this tissue.

Adipose-derived cells are then separated from the fat at Medistem Panama’s state-of-the-art laboratory at the prestigious City of Knowledge. This entire process is subjected to stringent quality control. Before they can be administered back into the patient, these adipose-derived stem cells are tested for quality, bacterial contamination (aerobic and anaerobic) and endotoxin.

All patients treated with adipose stem cells at the Stem Cell Institute wait about one week before the stem cells can be re-implanted to minimize the probability of the cells migrating back to the liposuction injury site. This essential procedural step separates treatment in Panama from “same-day” protocols offered elsewhere.

The adipose-derived stem cells are administered by a highly-qualified physician into the affected joint(s) (intra-articular injection) and intravenously (IV).

“It’s taken about 6 months but I am amazed at the results I’ve gotten with my knee. Even my neck is better. I used to spend almost $1,000 per month on a neuromuscular massage therapist but I haven’t needed any neuromuscular massages for the past 6 months. I wasn’t counting on that. Even my doctors say that the dense scar tissue in my neck has changed in texture from grizzly to smooth, supple tissue,” exclaimed Dr. Vaughan.

She continued, “I just danced 6 hours in Houston preparing for the upcoming competition in Asheville and my knee isn’t even sore.”

Dr. Vaughan is planning to return to Panama for a follow-up treatment this summer

Filed Under: Osteoarthritis, Patient Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
December 5, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for Osteoarthritis: Sheri Nahan

Where do you live and when were you diagnosed with osteoarthritis

I live in Stamford, CT. My osteoarthritis was diagnosed in the last two years but I have had pain in the bursa – periformis and lower back, off and on for many years and tried many treatments.

How did your arthritis progress and what were your symptoms before coming to Panama for stem cell therapy?

I was told in May of 2009 – after x-rays, that I have severe arthritis in the right hip and bad arthritis in the left hip. However, by taking Advil I was able to play golf throughout the summer of 2009, but the pain became too intense in 2010 to play golf and do other tasks. Even putting on socks was a problem. I had to physically pull my leg up with my hands. I had pain in the bursa – periformis – gluteus maximus and other muscular areas which was about an 8 on a scale from 1-10. Some days were better than others and the weather was also a factor. It was especially difficult on stairs and inclines. In addition, there was sometimes lower back pain of differing intensities but not as bad as the pain in my hip region. I tried many therapies, injections, and topical medications, some of which had short term response and others that did nothing.

“I have seen very good improvement since my stem cell treatment and I continue to improve.”

How has your condition improved since undergoing stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis?

I have seen very good improvement since my stem cell treatment and I continue to improve. I can put my shoes and socks on with a minimum of discomfort. I can sit at the computer for long periods of time with no pain. Walking up the steps is much improved. I am beginning to use both feet to step up instead of using just one and dragging the other. My energy level is very good.

Has your doctor confirmed your improvements?

So far, Dr. Zabrecky (my doctor) is pleased with my progress. He has had to adjust my back and neck the last few weeks because I have had aching in my lower back and tightness in my neck and shoulders.I was very pleased with the staff and doctors at the clinic. I was treated very well by the staff with special commendation to Dr. Paz and Dr. Caballero.

What did you think about the clinic? The doctors? The Staff? Panama in general?

I was very pleased with the staff and doctors at the clinic.

It is intimidating to go to another country for a medical treatment. Since you ask these kinds of questions, I am sure you will continue formulating the best procedures to make the patients even more comfortable. I believe it takes a lot of belief in the doctor or friend who recommends using stems, in my case Dr. George Zabrecky, to believe that this treatment will work. I think that the more data and testimonials that you collect, the more confidence a patient will have.

As we have discussed before, there are many patients who do not speak Spanish and there are some instances where it is necessary to have a translator which will greatly ease the stress level of being in a foreign country. This is more than doubly stressful because it involves medical treatments. We enjoyed being in Panama and would gladly visit again.

Would you recommend this to other patients?

I would definitely recommend others for treatment.

Filed Under: Osteoarthritis, Patient Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
December 5, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis: Juan Gramage

Reactive arthritis

“I could tell you a long story because the experience of having a chronic illness is a tragic and distasteful novel. Almost 4 years ago I began to feel fatigue and pain in my peripheral joints, especially the big ones. The pain was migrating and intensifying every day. I tried many ways to cure myself: synthetic drugs, natural drugs, special diets…

Three or four months ago I received the stem cell treatment and the results have been positive. My pain hasn´t disappeared completely buy I feel that the improvements I felt initially is continuing to strengthen, I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and today I can go out. Also I have the confidence that this is the ultimate solution to the pain in my joints.

“I saw the light at the end of the tunnel and today I can go out…”

The first weeks after the injections I felt that the strong pains were decreasing day by day and a month later I felt no more discomfort, the episodes have almost disappeared and I am working with the body feeling new, or at least 75%. I feel better, much better and I believe that if there exists a treatment that is cohesive and successful and still doesn´t harm your health, this is it.

I am deeply touched that new technologies can cure and alleviate the suffering of so many people and at the same time the researches that control the funds of investigation and treatments of these technologies, accountants, administrators and funding-related policy research and treatments, to make this treatment accessible the majority. I have no doubt that health should be a universal right.

If you don´t believe me, talk to be after you suffered through a similar illness. Thanks to all the restless minds that have contributed to these advances.”

Filed Under: Osteoarthritis, Patient Stories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
November 30, 2012 by

Stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis: scientific rationale

Neil Riordan PhD presents the scientific rationale for using adipose tissue-derived stem cells and T-regulatory cells to treat MS and rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Riordan is the Founder and President of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama.

Filed Under: Neil Riordan PhD, Stem Cell Lecture Videos, Video - Stem Cell Therapy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
December 29, 2010 by

Enhancing Efficacy of Bone Marrow Transplant

Huang et al. Blood. [Epub ahead of print]

Bone marrow transplantation has cured many patients of hematological diseases such as leukemias and lymphomas. Additionally, bone marrow transplantation is becoming used more and more in treatment of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, there are still numerous limitations to this procedure. One of the biggest ones is that occurrence of graft versus host disease, in which the transplanted stem cells produce immune cells that attack the recipient. The other major problem is graft failure, in which the transplanted stem cells do not “take”.

The group of Dr. Ildstad from the University of Louisville has been working on enhancing bone marrow transplantation by co-administration of other cells called “facilitator cells.” In a recent publication (Huang et al. CD8{alpha}+ plasmacytoid precursor DC induce antigen-specific regulatory T cells that enhance HSC engraftment in vivo. Blood. 2010 Dec 29) it was shown that a type of dendritic cell, called the plasmacytoid dendritic cell, is capable of promoting bone marrow transplant efficacy through stimulation of T regulatory cells.

The scientists demonstrated that after bone marrow transplant from mismatched donors, there are immune suppressive cells, called T regulatory cells, that develop under specific conditions that stop the new (donor derived) immune system cells from attacking the recipient. When a mismatched bone marrow transplant is performed together with plasmacytoid dendritic cells, these cells “instruct” the donor immune system to generate T regulatory cells, which prevent graft versus host disease.

Implications of this research may be profound in areas outside of bone marrow transplantation for leukemias. In solid organ transplants, patients are required to take life-long immune suppressants to prevent the transplanted organ from being rejected. If donor bone marrow transplantation is performed with the donor organ, then the body does not reject the organ. Unfortunately this is not possible because bone marrow transplantation has a high risk of graft versus host disease. If the discovery of Dr. Ilstad’s group can be translated to humans, it may be possible to induce “immunological tolerance”, which is a state of immune un-responsiveness to the transplanted organ, while maintaining a functioning immune system towards pathogens and bacteria.

Filed Under: Adult Stem Cells, Bone Marrow, News, Stem Cell Research Tagged With: , , , ,