Stem Cell Therapies

Author: Adam C. Berger
Publisher: National Academy Press
ISBN: 9780309303002
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 108

Book Description
Stem cells offer tremendous promise for advancing health and medicine. Whether being used to replace damaged cells and organs or else by supporting the body's intrinsic repair mechanisms, stem cells hold the potential to treat such debilitating conditions as Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and spinal cord injury. Clinical trials of stem cell treatments are under way in countries around the world, but the evidence base to support the medical use of stem cells remains limited. Despite this paucity of clinical evidence, consumer demand for treatments using stem cells has risen, driven in part by a lack of available treatment options for debilitating diseases as well as direct-to-consumer advertising and public portrayals of stem cell-based treatments. Clinics that offer stem cell therapies for a wide range of diseases and conditions have been established throughout the world, both in newly industrialized countries such as China, India, and Mexico and in developed countries such as the United States and various European nations. Though these therapies are often promoted as being established and effective, they generally have not received stringent regulatory oversight and have not been tested with rigorous trials designed to determine their safety and likely benefits. In the absence of substantiated claims, the potential for harm to patients - as well as to the field of stem cell research in general - may outweigh the potential benefits. To explore these issues, the Institute of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the International Society for Stem Cell Research held a workshop in November 2013. "Stem Cell Therapies" summarizes the workshop. Researchers, clinicians, patients, policy makers, and others from North America, Europe, and Asia met to examine the global pattern of treatments and products being offered, the range of patient experiences, and options to maximize the well-being of patients, either by protecting them from treatments that are dangerous or ineffective or by steering them toward treatments that are effective. This report discusses the current environment in which patients are receiving unregulated stem cell offerings, focusing on the treatments being offered and their risks and benefits. The report considers the evidence base for clinical application of stem cell technologies and ways to assure the quality of stem cell offerings.

A Stem Cell Transplant MS Recovery Story

Author: Sandi Selvi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781936214105
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 194

Book Description
After being diagnosed with MS in 1995, Sandi Selvi began to decline rapidly and quickly became frustrated with conventional medical options. The drugs had nasty side effects, and in her case, the drugs didn't work. So, in March of 2000 Sandi joined forces with the brilliant doctors at Scripp's in San Diego, to, as they so eloquently put it, "Kill her immune system and build a new one" with an autologous stem cell transplant. Theoretically her new immune system could stop the MS. During the two month medical procedure Sandi came pretty close to death, but a $10.99 box of used comedy tapes helped her through recovery, and changed her life. Laughter is indeed the best medicine -- Sandi now shares her medicine, and her medical miracle, through stand-up comedy. REVIEWS "Sandi makes the toughest journey seem refreshingly funny. Every doctor, comedian and patient should read this great book." Neil Leiberman, The Comedy Coach(R) "Love the raw honesty and humor. MS babe who got a stem cell transplant -- that alone is a miracle." Christy Evans Jordan, has MS "I dog-earred over 20 pages that made me laugh out loud or burst in tears. I was awed by your journey, uplifted by your triumphs and overwhelmed by the simple message of family forever." Melissa Berger "Spell-binding -- rings true on every level. Inspiring and empowering for anyone facing challenges they think are so insurmountable that they cannot be overcome." Lynn Ruth Miller, author of Starving Hearts "I'm so glad Sandi refuses to do stand-up in a wheelchair...because we don't have a ramp. (For giggles.) Sandi incorporates some great laughs into her MS story, proving that she's not only a funny comedian but a strong woman as well." Heather Barbieri, owner of Rooster T. Feathers "Wonderful, amazing, heartbreaking, inspiring." Britta Wilder, writer and painter "Inspiration for anyone diagnosed with a serious disease. It shows that IT IS possible to not only beat the odds, but to pursue your passion at the same time." John DeKoven, Bunjo's Comedy Club "Really good read. Thanks for the insightful look into your life. You're a brave woman." Rich Stimbra, Asst. Dir. SFCC

Autologoos Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants

Author: Susan K. Stewart
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780964735217
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 210

Book Description

This Is How I Save My Life

Author: Amy B. Scher
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780988498808
Category : Embryonic stem cells
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A fiery young woman with a debilitating and misdiagnosed disease travels to a tiny clinic in India for a controversial embryonic stem cell treatment. On the journey to save her miserably failing body, she finds a world of cultural mayhem, radical medical treatment, and most importantly, a piece of her life that she never even knew she was searching for.

Enduring the Cure

Author: Rachel Carter
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781949021547
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
"Harrowing" . . . "Gripping" . . . "A medical miracle!" How do you live when all you can feel is pain? The best word to describe Rachel Carter's life was "fearless." She rode a motorcycle in high school, she worked in a cannery in Alaska at 20, and then backpacked solo through Europe. When she finally "settled down," she married Josh and pursued a career in sales. She lived a picture-perfect life--then Multiple Sclerosis caught up with her. After two years of rapid decline, Rachel found herself lying on the floor, writhing in agony, hoping to die. In Enduring the Cure, Rachel Carter shares how she overcame her struggle with the debilitating disease. It's a story of pain, decline, an experimental treatment, and healing. But most of all, it's a story of inspiration, determination, and hope for anyone who has suffered a debilitating disease or diagnosis.

Multiple Sclerosis

Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309072859
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 457

Book Description
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic and often disabling disease of the nervous system, affecting about 1 million people worldwide. Even though it has been known for over a hundred years, no cause or cure has yet been discovered-but now there is hope. New therapies have been shown to slow the disease progress in some patients, and the pace of discoveries about the cellular machinery of the brain and spinal cord has accelerated. This book presents a comprehensive overview of multiple sclerosis today, as researchers seek to understand its processes, develop therapies that will slow or halt the disease and perhaps repair damage, offer relief for specific symptoms, and improve the abilities of MS patients to function in their daily lives. The panel reviews existing knowledge and identifies key research questions, focusing on: Research strategies that have the greatest potential to understand the biological mechanisms of recovery and to translate findings into specific strategies for therapy. How people adapt to MS and the research needed to improve the lives of people with MS. Management of disease symptoms (cognitive impairment, depression, spasticity, vision problems, and others). The committee also discusses ways to build and financially support the MS research enterprise, including a look at challenges inherent in designing clinical trials. This book will be important to MS researchers, research funders, health care advocates for MS research and treatment, and interested patients and their families.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy

Author: Lucas G. Chase
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1627032002
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 458

Book Description
Over the past decade, significant efforts have been made to develop stem cell-based therapies for difficult to treat diseases. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, also referred to as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), appear to hold great promise in regards to a regenerative cell-based therapy for the treatment of these diseases. Currently, more than 200 clinical trials are underway worldwide exploring the use of MSCs for the treatment of a wide range of disorders including bone, cartilage and tendon damage, myocardial infarction, graft-versus-host disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, critical limb ischemia and many others. MSCs were first identified by Friendenstein and colleagues as an adherent stromal cell population within the bone marrow with the ability to form clonogenic colonies in vitro. In regards to the basic biology associated with MSCs, there has been tremendous progress towards understanding this cell population’s phenotype and function from a range of tissue sources. Despite enormous progress and an overall increased understanding of MSCs at the molecular and cellular level, several critical questions remain to be answered in regards to the use of these cells in therapeutic applications. Clinically, both autologous and allogenic approaches for the transplantation of MSCs are being explored. Several of the processing steps needed for the clinical application of MSCs, including isolation from various tissues, scalable in vitro expansion, cell banking, dose preparation, quality control parameters, delivery methods and numerous others are being extensively studied. Despite a significant number of ongoing clinical trials, none of the current therapeutic approaches have, at this point, become a standard of care treatment. Although exceptionally promising, the clinical translation of MSC-based therapies is still a work in progress. The extensive number of ongoing clinical trials is expected to provide a clearer path forward for the realization and implementation of MSCs in regenerative medicine. Towards this end, reviews of current clinical trial results and discussions of relevant topics association with the clinical application of MSCs are compiled in this book from some of the leading researchers in this exciting and rapidly advancing field. Although not absolutely all-inclusive, we hope the chapters within this book can promote and enable a better understanding of the translation of MSCs from bench-to-bedside and inspire researchers to further explore this promising and quickly evolving field.

Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis

Author: George Jelinek
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 1760112550
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 478

Book Description
Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis is an established and successful program of treatment. Once a diagnosis of MS meant inevitable decline and disability. Now thousands of people around the world are living healthy, active lives on the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis recovery program. Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis explains the nature of MS and outlines an evidence-based 7 step program for recovery. Professor George Jelinek devised the program from an exhaustive analysis of medical research when he was first diagnosed with MS in 1999. It has been refined through major ongoing international clinical studies under Professor Jelinek's leadership, examining the lifestyles of several thousand people with MS world-wide and their health outcomes. Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis is invaluable for anyone recently diagnosed with MS, living with MS for years, or with a family member with MS. It makes an ideal resource for doctors treating people with MS. 'I would have no hesitation in recommending Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis to my patients, but also to my friends and colleagues.' Professor Gavin Giovannoni, MBBCh, PhD, FCP (S.A., Neurol.), FRCP, FRCPath, Chair of Neurology, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry 'Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis combines hard scientific evidence with practical advice and compassion. It will be of benefit to nearly everybody affected by MS and I heartily recommend it.' Dr Peter Fisher FRCP , Physician to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Director of Research, Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine

Quality Management and Accreditation in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy

Author: Mahmoud Aljurf
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030644928
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 181

Book Description
This open access book provides a concise yet comprehensive overview on how to build a quality management program for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and cellular therapy. The text reviews all the essential steps and elements necessary for establishing a quality management program and achieving accreditation in HSCT and cellular therapy. Specific areas of focus include document development and implementation, audits and validation, performance measurement, writing a quality management plan, the accreditation process, data management, and maintaining a quality management program. Written by experts in the field, Quality Management and Accreditation in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: A Practical Guide is a valuable resource for physicians, healthcare professionals, and laboratory staff involved in the creation and maintenance of a state-of-the-art HSCT and cellular therapy program.

The Stem Cell Cure

Author: Gaurav K. Goswami
Publisher: Humanix Books
ISBN: 1630061190
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 206

Book Description
The 150+ year lifespan of our ancient ancestors can be achieved once again by harnessing the power of our own cells with The Stem Cell Cure! Renowned regenerative and restorative sports medicine doctor Gaurav Goswami, M.D. provides advanced minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments to help his patients get back to peak performance levels – no matter their age. Harnessing the transformative power of stem cells is central to his expertise. In fact, stem cell therapy is proven to be effective in the treatment of many common conditions from arthritis and back pain to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cancer. This book is an accessible and informative introduction to the amazing powers of Stem Cell Therapy – the biggest revolution in medicine since the discovery of penicillin, and a wave of the future. Co-authored by bestselling author and popular keynote speaker Kerry Johnson MBA PhD, The Stem Cell Cure provides specific ways for readers to boost their health and vitality for a lifetime by recovering, regenerating, and repairing injuries and disease.