Prochymal Stem cells

This is the latest I've heard on stem cell research...

Researchers find safer way to make stem cells
Ben Hirschler, Reuters
Published: Monday, March 02, 2009
LONDON (Reuters) - Researchers said on Sunday they had found a safer way to transform ordinary skin cells into powerful stem cells in a move that could eventually remove the need to use human embryos.


It is the first time that scientists have turned skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells -- which look and act like embryonic stem cells -- without having to use viruses in the process.


Ampoules containing a medium for stem cell storage are displayed at the UK Stem Cell Bank in London, England. Researchers say they have found a safer way to transform ordinary skin cells into powerful stem cells.
Peter Macdiarmid


The new method also allows for genes that are inserted to trigger cell reprogramming to be removed afterwards.


Stem cells are the body's master cells, producing all the body's tissues and organs.


Embryonic stem cells are the most powerful kind, as they have the potential to give rise to any tissue type. However, many people object to their use, making iPS cells an attractive alternative, provided they can be made safely.


Researchers have known for some time that ordinary skin cells can be transformed into iPS cells using a handful of genes.


But to get these genes into the cells they have had to use viruses, which integrate their own genetic material into the cells they infect. This can cause cancer.


The alternative approach, described in the online edition of the journal Nature by two teams of researchers from Britain and Canada, appears to avoid the risk of such abnormalities.


"PIGGYBAC" RIDE


The researchers harnessed a little piece of DNA called a transposon -- sometimes known as a "jumping gene" because of its ability to move around inside the genetic code -- to carry four genes.


The version used is dubbed "piggyBac" and has been used by researchers to genetically modify a range of organisms.


"It is a step toward the practical use of reprogrammed cells in medicine, perhaps even eliminating the need for human embryos as a source of stem cells," said Keisuke Kaji from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Center for Regenerative Medicine in Edinburgh.


He and Andras Nagy from the University of Toronto used the technique in both mouse and human skin cells and found the reprogrammed cells behaved just like embryonic stem cells.


Ian Wilmut, head of the MRC center and one of the scientists who cloned the first mammal, Dolly the sheep, said it would take time before the new iPS cells could be given to patients, but the new technique was an important step forward.


"Combining this work with that of other scientists working on stem cell differentiation, there is hope that the promise of regenerative medicine could soon be met," he said.


Doctors hope one day to use stem cells to treat diseases such as Parkinson's, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injuries.

:)

How can you tell how the trials are going? Do they release some results before the study is published?

Hi all I haven't posted in a long time now but was just going to give an update.
I will be going down to Minneapolis , MN for my one year follow up visit in the
Prochymal study. I wish they would hurry up and approve it already. I did work
for me , there is no other way that i could have just gained like 20 pounds or so in
a months time without being on any other therapy. I did notice that it wore off after
about a month and a half , so i was put into the second arm of the study and was
randomized again. I did not get any benefit off of the second arm but am still completing
the one and two year follow ups. Anyways, I wish more people would know about this trial or
actually enroll in it if they were aware. It needs to get approved , wonder when that will be though????

I'm currently in the study but I'm ready to drop out.  I went thru two colonoscopies, cat scan, upper endoscopy, countless blood work (I think we're up to 25 vials so far) the four infusions and got worse.  During the prep last week for the colonoscopy, I had dry heaves until I finally vomited diarrhea!  An all time low.  Do you think they care...they took their 50 biopsies and more blood even though I couldn't even walk or talk due to being so anemic and dehydrated.  I'm a walking specimen to them, thats it.

they told me that the open label wouldn't be available to us for two years. Is that your understanding?

northernguy said...
Hi , is there anybody out there that has had any similiar success in the Prochymal phase III trial.
i posted the previous comment but there wasnt any response. Also, ( onebloodonelife)/ Is your GI doc
Dr. Chris Shepela in Minneapolis? Thats who I have and he was also my doc at the U of M while I was
getting the Prochymal. Hes a really good doc in my opinion!


Cole

Hi Cole! Yep, you're correct, I do see Dr. Chris Shepela. Did you move to Healthpartners with him when he switched practices? He's absolutely fantastic, I agree! He definitely knows what he's doing, and he's so nice and helpful all the time.

I've got until April 14th before I can actually start the screening for the trial...that'll be the 90 day mark since my last Tysabri infusion. What was your experience doing all of that? I spoke to Jen, the nurse at the U, already, and she seemed to be very nice as well, and she was extremely excited to get a referral to the trial, especially from Dr. Shepela.

Does anyone know how long after open label a drug is approved for the general market? Also, does anyone know approximately when we might expect Prochymal to be FDA approved?