The Pipeline for iPSC-Derived Cell Therap... - Cure Parkinson's
The Pipeline for iPSC-Derived Cell Therapeutics in 2024
Although a really small sample, the results from the Bluerock phase I study are so strong that it almost seems more like a “when” than an “if” question regarding the use of stem cells to treat Parkinson. You cant really trust a phase i study to asses eficacy but the results are really that impressive
I agree. It saddens me greatly that embryonic stem cells were used for this research. I would feel guilty benefiting from the deaths of these precious embryos.
As far as I understand they are not derived from embryos
I agree! It sounds to me like embryonic cells were used in development of the special manufactured cells that are used as stem cell transplants. Think of it this way : if they ruthlessly killed my grandma or my child to develop these cells would I want them??
It sounds like quite the logical jump to me, although i respect different moral positions on stem cell treatments
Gallowglass, I missed the part of the article that said that Embryonic Stem Cells were still being used . They were in the past but that research has mostly ceased as a result of progress and ethical concerns. To be clear, the article and almost all research is now on iPSCs - which stands for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. From Wikipedia
"Since iPSCs can be derived directly from adult tissues, they not only bypass the need for embryos, but can be made in a patient-matched manner, which means that each individual could have their own pluripotent stem cell line. These unlimited supplies of autologous cells could be used to generate transplants without the risk of immune rejection. While the iPSC technology has not yet advanced to a stage where therapeutic transplants have been deemed safe, iPSCs are readily being used in personalized drug discovery efforts and understanding the patient-specific basis of disease"
So here there are two important distinctions. Research since late 2000's has focused on reprogramming MATURE cells. These can be your own, called autologous, or from someone else (mature and living, not a blastocyst), called allogenic. This will become more important as allogenic transplants may require immunosuppression as they are not your cells. However, because they can be "mass produced", Allogenic treatments will probably be much cheaper.
iPSC cell lines do NOT use actual embryonic cells and I cant see a major player using ESC cell lines in a treatment.
I do appreciate if you feel you want to be a moral absolutist on this issue. ESCs are still used in research, particularly in understanding cell differentiation in early development and neonatal disorders. For PD, AD etc treatments, I think, IMHO, we have advanced beyond the primary ethical quandary .
Sorry I should have made a note of where I saw that.. but basically I did a deep dive on every clue in the article and ended up on a company web site where they bragged about how clever they were to have used embryonic stem cells in the development of the manufactured stem cells. I really really really hope you are right about this question. My Neuro is pushing for DBS and I said I wanted to wait for stem cells. On one of my dives I saw that stem cell transplants coukd be available in 7 years. ( sorry but once again I failed to record my source s for the 7 years number. . The Neuro Dr laughed at me and said “ no way stem cell transplants will be available that soon. “. Sigh
Embryonic stem cells are not restricted to embryos per se. They are found in amniotic fluid as well as umbilical cord blood. So they may be obtained as a by product of birthing. Our grandparents and grandchildren are safe.
Where did you see the results? Mind sharing please
Look at the press release in the first post, the improvement has gone from 13 to 23 points from the 12 to the 18 month since the grafting, thats a really big change (like several years of disease progression )
There are other companies and organizations working on stem cells in addition to the ones listed in this article
Sadly, these stem cell miracles are at least 10 years away. How many of us will live to see the day?
I don't understand. I thought plenty of stem cell transplants are already happening?
It would appear you are particularly badly informed. Which suppliers of stem cell transplants did you have in mind?
I find it interesting and somewhat disconcerting that you would personalize your comment by calling me badly informed. I mean is it possible that there is something I know of that you don't? Or is it just that other people who don't agree with you must not be very well informed in your opinion? I happen to know of places in Mexico that have done and continue to do stem cell treatments, and there are studies here in the US currently recruiting (hope biosciences is one example), based on previous years of stem cell trials. Then there is someone I met on zoom that just had a transplant. And finally, there is this stemcellofamerica.com/
There are currently no approved stem cell therapies in Europe, the USA or Japan. There are a few clinical trials in progress. The cowboy clinics do not transplant. They infuse. They have zero evidence of efficacy.
Roger Barker is a leading expert on the subject. 59 minutes in addresses your misapprehension
youtu.be/ixXDHgXcUz0?si=AfH...
I look forward to watching this and learning more. In the future, I would prefer that you share information in the spirit of camaraderie rather than calling others who may not have the same sources or be at the same level of having done research, "ill informed". That would make your valuable information more accessible and credible to me.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... Many studies linked here, among them several stem cell studies including Hope Biosciences, and a few other infusion based approaches. I believe there is also evidence of efficacy quoted here, and I don't know if the studies are "cowboy", even if they are located in Texas. 
59 minutes to about 61 minutes. And you are confusing legitimate trials with clinically available treatment.
youtu.be/ixXDHgXcUz0?si=AfH...
No. Please stop telling me what I am doing when you misunderstand what I say. I watched the entire thing last night and answered you after watching it. I appreciate you pointing to the part of the video that was salient to your point. Too bad you didn't save me the time before I watched the entire thing. There are available therapies right now. That is correct. They may not be the same or have the same effect or be as effective. But they exist. Just like with the glove research, there are those who see it as more complicated and want to be the exclusive purveyors and the ones to determine what works. That is how the world of science works. Sadly it is based on competition and mired in dogma. Imho they do not possess the facts or the only truth. We all would do well To think outside of those boxes.
Good to know.
"Too bad you didn't save me the time before I watched the entire thing."
You appear to be mistaken again
"Roger Barker is a leading expert on the subject. 59 minutes in addresses your misapprehension"
apologies for my oversight… Lucky for me. Mistakes lied to Learning.
Stem cell treatment in China
Stem Cell therapy for PD
More effective access to the brain . . . probably what Biogen sees in partnering with Denali Therapeutics
Stem cell treatment for Parkinson's Disease.
