Monthly Archives: April 2012

Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mononuclear Cell Transplants Can Reduce Diabetic Amputations

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Reprinted from: Cell Transplantation Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair

Tampa, Fla. (April. 18, 2012) – Autologous (self-donated) mononuclear cells derived from bone marrow (BMMNCs) have been found to significantly induce vascular growth when transplanted into patients with diabetes who are suffering from critical limb ischemia caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD), a complication of diabetes. The team of researchers in Seville, Spain who carried out the study published their results in a recent issue of Cell Transplantation (20:10), now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/.

“Critical limb ischemia in diabetic patients is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality; however, neovascularization induced by stem cell therapy could be a useful approach for these patients,” said study corresponding author Dr. Bernat Soria of the Andaluz Center for Biologic and Molecular Regenerative Medicine in Seville, Spain. “In this study we evaluated the safety and efficacy of inter-arterial administration of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells with 20 diabetic patents with severe below-the-knee arterial ischemia.”

The researchers noted that surgical or endovascular revascularization options for patients such as those in the study are limited because of poor arterial outflow. Although optimum dose, source and route of administration were outstanding questions, proper BMMNC dose for best results was an issue that the researchers hoped to clarify. They subsequently used a dose ten times smaller than other researchers had used previously in similar studies.

According to the authors, the rationale for their study was that intra-arterial infusions of autologous BMMNCs contain endothelial progenitors that are locally profuse at severely diseased vascular beds in the lower limb. Their hope was that the BMMNCs could promote early and effective development of new vascularization.

Patients were evaluated at three months and twelve months post-transplantation.

“As previously reported, the one-year mortality rate for diabetic patients with PAD – most of which are associated with cardiac complications – has been found to be 20 percent,” explained Dr. Soria. “Our study documented significant increases in neovasculogenesis for the majority of our study patients and a decrease in the number of amputations. However, overall PAD mortality for our patients was similar to that generally experienced.”

The researchers concluded that BMMNC therapy for lower limb ischemia was a “safe procedure that generates a significant increase in the vascular network in ischemic areas” and promotes “remarkable clinical improvement.”

“While this study did not demonstrate a significant effect on mortality, it does suggest an improvement in the quality of life based on limb retention as shown by the significant reduction in the number of amputations”, said Amit N. Patel, director of cardiovascular regenerative medicine at the University of Utah and section editor for Cell Transplantation.

Citation: Ruiz-Salmeron, R.; de la Cuesta-Diaz, A.; Constantino-Bermejo, M.; Pérez-Camacho, I.; Marcos-Sánchez, F.; Hmadcha, A.; Soria, B. Angiographic demonstration of neoangiogenesis after intra-arterial infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia.Cell Transplant. 20(10):1629-1639; 2011.

The editorial offices for Cell Transplantation are at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, College of Medicine, the University of South Florida and the Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Contact, David Eve, PhD. at celltransplantation@gmail.com or Camillo Ricordi, MD at ricordi@miami.edu

News release by Florida Science Communications www.sciencescribe.net

Your Emails & Stories

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Every week, thousands of you visit our blog, facebook page and website at stemcellresearchfacts.org, looking for hope. Often times, you’re desperately seeking an answer to a medical condition. Sometimes, you just want to share a story or experience.

We are touched and inspired by all the emails we receive and we try to respond to each one. Here’s a sample of some of the emails we’ve received over the past few weeks:

Name: Isabelle – Honolulu|Hawaii
Comments: I live in Honolulu, Hawaii and was diagnosed in 2004 with scleroderma, by a clinic in Idaho, since I couldn’t find out what was wrong with me. I had an internist, a rheumotologist, a pulmonologist, a skin specialist, a rare disease specialist, but had to go out of state to get a diagnosis. Since then, I’ve been very frustrated and just stopped going to see the doctors, even though my lungs have gotten much worse. After praying very hard about it, I started to do some research on the internet and I came across your website. I’m almost afraid you will say nothing can be done. I hope I can get some info. I am otherwise very healthy and before I got the scleroderma, I never got sick. Please help.

Name: Judy – Waynesville|NC
Comments: I am a 51 year old female with Rheumatoid Arthritis. It has crippled my hands and is working on my feet. I have two teenagers at home, ages 18 and 14. I am divorced and receive little help from their father. My daughter is graduating in June and is going to be working part-time as she needs further education to get a self sufficient job.  I work everyday that I can in order to maintain a home for us. Some days are unbearable with the pain that I suffer. I was wondering if their are any clinical trials close to my location that may be interested in using me in their trial? I would like to thank you in advance for any assistance or information that you may give me.

Name: Valerie – Huron Township|MI
Comments: Hello, I have Multiple Sclerosis and am very interested in the Adult Stem Cell treatment.  I have Relapsing Remitting MS and have had it since 1997.  I walk with a limp due to Drop Foot on the left side, and I take multiple medications.

Can you please provide me with some information (i.e., cost, where this can be done, how to get started, etc)?

Thank you!
Name: Jaclyn – phoenix|az
Comments: hi, i suffered a stroke after the birth of my daughter a year ago. my leftside is still dead. i continue to hear theres nothing i can do.most likely ill never have both arms again or be able to walk or run normal again. im 35 and want to try anything possible before i just except that.how can i get envolved with any studys or trails or just getting stemcell therapy? i dont know if insurance covers this if not how much would it cost to try?  please let me know

Dear SCRF,
I can’t tell you how much admiration I have for your dedication in the work
you are doing.  Some are motivated by fame and some for wealth.  I assume
your dedication is primarily to make a contribution to knowledge.
Thanks again for your genius and dedication.

Anonymous

Name: Anonymous – Rockford|Michigan
Comments: Hello,
I just learned about your organization today from a friend, who’s brother is going through treatment.  I was mainly just interested in new treatments and wondering what was going on with him.
When I learned that his condition was CIDP, I was intrigued.  I was originally diagnosed with ALS, back in 2005, which was changed to PLS a year later, and this past summer, was re-diagnosed with MS (another demyelinating disease)
I am anxiously waiting to hear the results of my friend’s brother’s treatment.  I have been through so many expensive treatment options over the past 7 years, I am very skeptical of anything else at this point.  But reading through your information here, I am intrigued and figured I would reach out and connect.

Name: Gladys / Mottingham|London|England
Comments: I would like to know if stem cell treatment would cure my son who is 17 years old ,   was born prematurely at 27 weeks, became brain damaged as a result and now has celebral palsy, autism and displesia. He has speech and language difficulties, poor social skills and is not independent.