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Stem Cells Question

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Posted 12/9/2007 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
A question that popped into my head the first time I heard of stem cell research for treating various conditions was whether they carried genes.

For instance, could they pass on deleterious genes for genetic diseases? Genetic diseases that can't be tested for at this point. The donor or donor parents appear to be healthy from all appearances and testing, yet could the stem cells whether embryonic, skin, bone marrow or whatever, pass on an unknown genetic disease? Has anyone ever seen this addressed?

Posted 12/9/2007 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
I think stem cells are the KEY to curing many many illnesses. Stem cells are basically blank and can turn into any kind of cell. This is from the National Institute of Health:

"Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either 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."

According to the American Acedemy of Anti-Aging Medicine, "Ten sufferers of the deadly Crohn's disease have been cured by stem cell transplants that regenerate the damage to their intestines and immune system. The article focuses on the young man who will hopefully be number 11 and live to see a full life. This is the sort of amazing application of stem cell medicine, like recent advances in regenerating normally fatal heart damage, that we hope will become commonplace. Being able to regenerate any part of the body in this fashion will lead to large gains in healthy lifespan."

I have no idea how accurate and reliable the info is from the AAAAM, but it's interesting. I'm skeptical when someone refers to Crohn's as "the deadly Crohn's disease."

According to Science Daily, there's going to be a massive clinical trial in the UK about this. More can be found out at

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071130223834.htm

Thank you for bringing up this topic, as it has been on my mind. I know that many people are passionate about the use (or not) of stem cells, but people need to educate themselves thoroughly before forming an opinion!

Claudia

PS.  Northwestern University in Illinois is recruiting for a stem cell clinical trial involving Crohn's.

Post Edited (Smrtgrl96x) : 12/9/2007 11:37:26 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/9/2007 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone else contacted Northwestern University?

It will be interesting, with this in mind, to see how Prochymal fares... without the moral issue that comes along with fetal stem cells. If the same effect can be attained, we're on our way.
Posted 12/9/2007 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
The article was fascinating! Hookworms?!! Oh great. First I have ouchy intestines and now I have worms!! ;-)
Posted 12/10/2007 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, if one is sick enough and in enough pain, worm eggs or hookworm doesn't sound so bad.

I still see nothing about the genetic potential of stem cells.
Posted 12/10/2007 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Good question CrohnieToo- I'm sorry to say I haven't found the answer either but your question is very valid to me in a big way too!
Posted 12/10/2007 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Crohnie, I read your initial post more thoroughly and I see what you mean about the genes. It's a very interesting question!

I know there is a lot of research taking place about embryonic stem sells vs. adult stem sells. Hopefully research will be less restricted and cures for numerous diseases can be found!
Posted 12/10/2007 3:06 AM (GMT 0)

No worries C2, read the link I posted regarding CD and stem cells.

Stem cells hold a potential solution to this problem. As the body's 'master' cells, which can be directed to form any type of tissue, they will be extracted from patients and then re-established in their bone marrow to 're-boot' the immune system, taking it back to a state before Crohn's symptoms were triggered.

:)


Posted 12/10/2007 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
THANKS, PB4. I kinda figgered it would be you who would come up w/any type of answer to that question!!!

Using our own stem cells sounds more comforting, at least I wouldn't get any worse genes than I've already got! It was the embryonic stem cells I had the most problem with - and not on any "moral" grounds but just the "unknown" genes.

Speaking of "our own" vs someone elses' .... I haven't heard a word about Aloquel in quite a while. Have you?

Posted 12/10/2007 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
LOL, you're welcome...I just wish I knew how it was done, at this point I'd give it a go at home but am afraid I might not have the right equiptment and instructions....not a very patient gal am I.

Aloquel?

:)
Posted 12/10/2007 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
The Israelis have been experimenting w/taking some tissue/contents/whatever from our own colons, mixing it w/some medium and then presenting it back to us as an autologous vaccine. In effect, vaccinating us w/a vaccine specifically made for us. Each crohnie would receive their own specific vaccine.
Posted 12/10/2007 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
So much for my memory - and spelling. The correct spelling is Alequel.

Oral immune regulation using colitis extracted proteins for treatment of Crohn's disease.

I remember one of the companies involved was Enzo. And the research was being done at Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. This was back about 2001 or so.

There was a phase I trial w/10 patients and a phase II trial w/31 patients.
Posted 12/10/2007 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Alequel  PMID: 16542292

and

http://www.ccfa.org/about/news/ddwclinical2005

http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/24D63A.htm

Posted 12/10/2007 8:15 PM (GMT 0)
Havn't seen any new info on the outcome of this (Alequel), very interesting though...I still like the idea of using our own stem cells and I'm anxiously awaiting for this to quickly become an accessible cure for us and others suffering with chronic illnesses.

:)
Posted 12/10/2007 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
My biggest reservation is why take extracts from the colon if there is no colon involvement? I know easier to reach. But since most cases of Crohn's begin in the terminal ileum/ileocecal valve area it would make more sense to me to only use those patients in clinical trials whose TI/ICV area could be reached, was found inflamed or other signs of active disease present and the biopsies taken from those affected/inflamed areas. I'd feel more confident of my own specific vaccine if done in that manner.

The scarey thing about the stem cells is the introduction into the bone marrow. And if they are using our own stem cells do they still have to knock our immune system down to nothing before introducing them?
Posted 12/10/2007 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Here's the latest on Alequel:

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-technology/Enzo-Biochem-Individualized-Oral-Immune-Regulation-Therapy-May-Be-0AEffective-Approach-to-Treating-Crohns-Disease-634-1/

Looks like they've been in Phase II trials for almost 4 years now! Looks like it'll take forever to get on the market.

As for the stem cells, yes they have to knock out the immune system first to get rid of the defective cells. Otherwise it's just like Prochymal. However, the transplants are becoming safer all the time. They've just found out how to perform the transplant without chemo in mice by injecting the mice with molecules that latch on to specific proteins on the surface of the stem cells, effectively destroying the cells. This eminates the old stem cells without otherwise harming the mice.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/90621.php

If only we could be living 10 years into the future right now, I don't think we'd have to worry much about Crohn's.
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