The Don Margolis Blog

Cerebral Palsy Improved From Stem Cell Research

A young boy with Cerebral Palsy has improved his quality of life after receiving adult stem cells from his own cord blood in a special stem cell research trial at Duke University.  Dylan Cain, age 4, an Oregon native, went to Duke in late May 2009 for the stem cell treatment.  Since then, his parents have been ecstatic about the changes in Dylan.  

Cord Blood Stem Cells Improve Quality of Life

Dylan's life has changed for the better in multiple ways since the stem cell therapy from his own cord blood stem cells.  From the stem cell article:

The Cains say they have seen considerable improvement in Dylan's speech, cognitive skills, vision and leg movement.

"He used to drag his right leg," Jinger said. "Now he can actually stand on it and is moving it when he walks."

A few months ago, Dylan needed help standing up. Now he lifts himself upright, needing help only for balancing.

"These are the largest gains he's made at any time in his life," Mark said. "Usually we see progress in very tiny steps over many months. These are like giant steps."
 

"His cognitive skills have definitely improved," Jinger said. "He now repeats nearly anything we ask him to say. That never happened before. It seems like his vision has improved as well."

He also has shown progress walking along a physical therapy bench that has been fitted with bars he can grab to help support his weight.

Lucky to Qualify for Cerebral Palsy Stem Cell Trial

Dylan and his family were very lucky in that they qualified for the stem cell research trial for cerebral palsy at Duke.  To qualify for this trial, you must have stored your child's cord blood stem cells at birth and your child must have cerebral palsy- oh yes, you must also have approximately $19,000 dollars to pay for the treatment / trial too. 

Therefore, if your child has cerebral palsy and you didn't store your child's umbilical cord blood at birth, the only option is to take your child overseas for stem cell treatment- and this is increasingly becoming a popular option for parents of children with cerebral palsy. 

Experimental in USA Does Not Mean Free - Same As Overseas

I always find it ironic and hypocritical that the stem cell "experts" complain about how stem cell companies charge money for "unproven" stem cell treatments abroad, yet when there is a stem cell trial (by definition- UNPROVEN) in the United States, the patients are still charged a high price for the therapy.  For example, experimental stem cell treatments at Northwestern can cost up to $200,000.

 

Stem Cell Success Stories - Cerebral Palsy

Dylan is not the only boy/girl with cerebral palsy who has improved after receiving adult stem cells.  In fact, if you search this blog and click on "cerebral palsy" you will see plenty of stem cell success stories in which patients with cerebral palsy have gone abroad for stem cell treatment and have improved their quality of life. 
For example, Harvey Telford with cerebral palsy or Caleb Turner, children for whom adult stem cell therapy was not available in their homeland and thus had to travel long terms for a safe, ethical treatment.

Cord Blood Stem Cells Help Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patient

A young boy from Wisconsin with Spinal Muscular Atrophy keeps improving his quality of life after receiving cord blood stem cells at a treatment center in China.  Kyle Knopes from Janesville, Wisconsin says the stem cell therapy has worked like a miracle since returning from China recently.  

Adult Stem Cells Give Teen With SMA Hope

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease that affects approximately 25,000 Americans.  It results in progressive muscle loss and weakness.  Diagnosed with SMA as an infant, Kyle has never walked.  However, since the adult stem cells were given to him, he now has hope. 

I Get Tears In My Eyes

Even Kyle's personal aid/therapist is impressed:

From the stem cell article-

"He's just been a miracle, I get tears in my eyes," says Shirley Zirbel.

As she works with him, she comments on how high he can now lift his arms, and how he can open his hands.

She has also noticed an increase in his energy.

Quality of Life Improves From Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy

And more importantly Kyle is happy with his improvements in his quality of life since the adult stem cells from umbilical cord blood was implanted:
 

Kyle says, "After my 1st injection, I rolled from my back to my right side, which I hadn't done since I was 6 years old."

According to Kyle, the injections, along with the intense physical therapy he received while in China have helped a great deal.

"Mainly upper body strength, both my arms, head and neck control," says Kyle.

It's also obvious when Kyle picks up a pen.

Writing has become much easier.

He says, "I can write longer without getting fatigued and my writing doesn't get worse as I go on."
 

Was The Long Journey for Stem Cells Worth It?

Despite any possible risks involved, Kyle says the trip was well worth it.

He says, "The worst that we were assuming is that I would come back the same, and that was okay. But obviously with our improvements, very glad we went."

We previously had a stem cell story about Kyle in July, just after he returned from China and his stem cell treatment.

Other Boy With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Can Walk After Same Treatment

Also, Brandon Meinke, another boy from Janesville, Wisconsin with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, went to China for therapy before Kyle and was able to walk after the cord blood stem cells were implanted after he previously had only been able to crawl.



 

 

Stem Cell Research Helps Improve Texas Boy'S Brain Injury

The family of a young boy from Texas is reporting major improvements in the child's development after stem cell research using adult stem cells from cord blood were implanted at a stem cell treatment center in China to treat his traumatic brain injury. 

According to his mother, Davis O'Brien is making tremendous progress since the stem cell therapy in February 2009. 

Before The Stem Cell Treatment for his Brain Injury:

• 30 + Seizures per day
• Almost Completely Blind
• Couldn't Sit Up On His Own
• Difficulty Eating

After The Adult Stem Cells Were Implanted:

• Seizures cut in half- about 15 per day
• His sight is improving
• Can sit up for 20 seconds on his own
• Now can eat soft foods and has 3 pureed meals per day

Davis spent 38 days in China receiving 8 different stem cell treatments to improve his brain injury which he suffered in a seizure, 3 days after receiving his one-year vaccinations.

Even the doctors were impressed

From the stem cell article: 

Mrs. O'Brien also said Davis' doctors have given the family positive remarks about Davis' condition.

"They are amazed at the difference," she said.

Davis' physical therapist is also amazed at the results of the Stem Cells.

Kelly Hidalgo, co-owner of In Harmony Pediatric Therapy, said she's seen a difference in Davis' condition since returning from China.

She said he's now able to roll over by himself, eat from a spoon and hold onto toys for a longer period of time.

"He's making great strides," she said, adding Davis is "a joy" to work with.

Also worth noting from the article:

Three years ago, she said, doctors informed her and her husband that Davis will only "lie in a bean bag chair for the rest of his life."

It was something she and her husband would not accept.

The O'Brien's are planning another trip to China early next year and are trying to raise money so that Davis will hopefully improve even more.  They have a website- http://www..davisgoestochina.com to help them reach that goal.

Good for them.  It is too bad this treatment using adult stem cells isn't available in the United States, otherwise the O'Brien's wouldn't have to travel to China for a safe, ethical treatment.  Unfortunately, the O'Brien's aren't given an option if they want their son to improve. 

Nobody is touting adult stem cells as a "cure."  Stem cell therapy is never a cure.  However, these improvements in the quality of life of Davis and hundreds of other patients who have gone abroad are the direct result of adult stem cell therapy.  Just the fact that he went from 30 seizures a day to 15 probably makes the stem cell treatment worthwhile to the O'Brien's.  Here is a similar stem cell success story in which a boy with cerebral palsy received adult stem cells and had similar improvements to Davis. 

I wish them well and commend them on their bravery in taking Davis to China for stem cell treatment

Autism Improved After Stem Cell Therapy

A Maine boy with Autism is already seeing improvements after having to travel abroad for stem cell therapy using adult stem cells.  Kenneth Kelley, age 9  of Glenburn, Maine went to Costa Rica 6 weeks ago and has seen his quality of life get better in that short time span thanks to the stem cell treatment.

Adult Stem Cells From Cord Blood

While in Costa Rica, Kenneth had adult stem cells derived from cord blood implanted.  The doctors told Kenneth's parents that improvements usually take 2-6 months, but already after 6 weeks, the parents can see the different the stem cell treatment has made.

From the stem cell article:


"Immediately when we were in Costa Rica, he just started talking a lot more. His vocabulary is probably 20 percent more conversation. He started going up to strangers and talking to them."

The Kelley family had to go to Costa Rica for the procedure because it's not done in the United States.

Marty is happy they made the trip.

"We know this is going to work for him. And we are 100 percent confident we'll be going back to Costa Rica in January. This is what he needs and because done so well in hyperbaric oxygen chamber, we know this is going to be good for us."

Following in the footsteps of Stem Cell Pioneers

Kenneth followed in the footsteps of Matthew Faiella, a young boy with autism approximately the same age as Kenneth who also along with his loving parents, traveled to Costa Rica for the stem cell research using adult stem cells.  

Unanswered Letter To Obama

We also have another story about Lauren Dicorcia, a 10 year old girl with autism, who also improved tremendously after receiving adult stem cells abroad.  Lauren's mother Judy, wrote a letter to Obama asking why isn't a safe ethical treatment like adult stem cell therapy available in the United States.  I don't think Obama has answered her yet as adult stem cells still aren't available to Americans thus forcing families to go out of the country to seek out improvements in their quality of life.   

Embryonic Stem Cell Research- Over Hyped, Giving Us Nothing But Tumors and Cysts

While the accomplishments of adult stem cells keep piling up, Americans and the FDA are still obsessed with embryonic stem cell research which makes for nice press releases and hype, but hasn't delivered anything other than tumors and cysts. 

Also of note:
Kenneth's parents keep a Autism Blog
And Matthew Faiella and his loving parents keep a fantastic stem cell autism blog too.

Multiple Sclerosis Helped by Adult Stem Cells

Any person who reads this blog regularly will know the name of Richard Humphries.  Richard was the first to go to Costa Rica for stem cell treatment using adult stem cells for his secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.  For Richard, the pain of his multiple sclerosis was so bad that he prayed to God to die everyday rather than continue suffering from the excruciating pain.  However, he thinks God had better things in store for him-  adult stem cell therapy.  It is a good thing Richard asked God for help rather than the US FDA, otherwise, he would still be in pain.

2 Stem Cell Treatments - More Benefits

Richard first went for stem cell therapy in May 2008 to Costa Rica.  Approximately one year later, he went again for a second treatment using adult stem cells taken from his own fat as well as cord blood stem cells.

Richard Humphries Speaks About His Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

From Richard:

"I had a lot of pain from my left shoulder to my left hand, and I had episodes of tonic spasms, when I'd be on the floor for a couple of minutes ... a few every month," he said, noting the pain continued to increase so much that he was taking "five-to-seven Vicodin a day" just to help him cope. 

"As a nursing home administrator, I've never seen therapy like that," Humphries said of the clinic. "Their compassion is second-to-none."

Dr. Tom Ichem of San Diego, a scientist who has met Humphries through his position as the CEO of Medistem, a San Diego research company that works with new technologies related to adult stem cell treatment for diseases like MS, said stem cells from umbilical cords and from Humphries' own fat were used in his treatment.

"It's an amazing recovery," Ichem said. "I was with him in (Washington) D.C. and spent three days with him, and I was, honestly, bona fide flabbergasted. It's one thing to read about recoveries like this, but to see it first hand -- I hate to say 'miracle,' but it was absolutely something very, very stunning. Usually when we develop new treatments, we see results with some impact, but I've never seen this kind of stunning impact. It literally shocked me."

You can read the rest of this amazing stem cell article here and after reading it, you can ask yourself why Richard and Preston Walker and dozens of others who have followed in their footsteps have to leave the USA for a safe, ethical treatment, that can improve their quality of life. 

It is really a shame that this adult stem cell treatment isn't available in the United States.  

Man Out of Wheelchair After Stem Cell Therapy

A man with a spinal cord injury suffered 10 years ago has improved his quality of life tremendously after receiving adult stem cells in a new stem cell treatment in Costa Rica.  Paralyzed in a roofing accident, Jason Slawson was in a wheelchair for 10 years before he went for stem cell therapy and now is using a walker. 

Lifted Out Of Depression As Well As His Wheelchair

The stem cell treatment has given Jason confidence as well as lifting him out of depression he was feeling (not to mention lifting him out of his wheelchair).  From sleeping all day to forget about his depression to working 7 days a week after the stem cell therapy.

Back To Work After Adult Stem Cell TReatment

From the stem cell article:

While in Costa Rica, progress was immediately apparent, muscles he had not used in a decade were contracting and spasms that were violent enough to shake the walls in his home subsided.

He admits the road to recovery is still rocky at times.

“I am still using the walker and some days I’m not strong enough to make it in public, but I use it every day when I am at home,” Slawson said. “There are days when my legs instantly buckle.”

Are ADULT STEM CELLS  A Fountain of Youth?

Slawson said he believes that in taking the steps to get back on his feet, he may have discovered the fountain of youth.

As his muscles are slowly regenerating and feeling is returning to his lower extremities, Slawson said the stem cell therapy also cured carpel tunnel syndrome.

“Before I went to Costa Rica I needed surgery to repair my wrists, I was in a lot of pain from 10 years of gripping and pulling myself in my wheelchair,” Slawson said, with a grin. “Today, I stopped to look at myself in the mirror - and I think I am looking younger.”

Mother Knows Best

Jason's mother also sees the difference-


Schirman said the $40,000 the family pulled together to send Slawson and his wife to Costa Rica was the best investment they could have made for their son’s future. She said he is a changed man who is now staring life in the face instead of hanging his head in defeat.

While she said the physical improvements are more than she ever imagined, she knows the emotional and mental healing far outweighs those benefits.

“More important than the physical progress is his renewed sense of self-confidence and hope,” Schirman said. “He is willing to take risks again, gets out every day and is even talking about raising a family of his own.”

Adult Stem Cells- Not Available in the USA

A very nice story.  While the USA is obsessed with Geron and their embryonic stem cell trial that isn't working, American patients go abroad for adult stem cells that are helping people now.  As long as adult stem cells aren't used in the US, it doesn't matter how much money Obama throws to stem cell research.  

Cerebral Palsy Helped By Adult Stem Cells

 A disabled teen with cerebral palsy is already seeing improvements in his quality of life just two weeks after returning home from China where he received Adult Stem Cells during his treatment and therapy.  

Brain Damage at Birth Results in Cerebral Palsy

Jake Leonard, 13, came back to his home in England on August 13th after a month of stem cell treatment at the Tiantan Puhua Hospital in Beijing, China.  Jake was born 32 weeks prematurely which resulted in some brain damage and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 8 months of age. 

Stem Cell Treatment Already Helping, More Help To Come

Jake says that the stem cell treatment using adult stem cells taken from cord blood are already helping.  But the full effects of the stem cell therapy won't be known until about 6 months from now as the stem cells do take time to fully develop.

Improvements In Quality of Life

From the stem cell story:

He said: “Jake’s sitting balance has improved along with some increased movement. “Also his eyesight seems to have improved as he has not asked for his glasses for two weeks now.

“The stem cells can take six months or more to fully develop so it is still very early and we have a lot of hard work to do once we return to the UK to continue the progress that Jake has made.

“Part of the progress is also due to the daily therapy that Jake receives; this has resulted in increased range of movement in his legs which are now nearly straight.”

This is a great story as Jake and his family have been raising money for the stem cell treatment for more than 1 year and now it is paying dividends.  I hope the improvements keep coming in the months to come!

Jake is the second boy from England I have featured recently.  You can read about Harvey Telford and his stem cell treatment here.

Stem Cell Research for Parkinson's Disease

 A Parkinson's Disease patient is reporting major improvements in his quality of life following a new stem cell research procedure in which the patient's own adult stem cells were used.  Bhanwarlal Jain says the stem cell treatment has improved his quality of life following the implantation of the stem cells in February 2009.

Unable to Speak from Parkinson's Disease

The complications of Parkinson's disease had been taking their toll on Jain for 12 years.  Finally, he had to stop working and he was unable to talk.  With nothing to lose, Jain then explored a stem cell treatment at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, India.  
These days, Jain is able to speak again and was able to elaborate on his stem cell therapy for this story thanks to the stem cell therapy!

Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson's Disease

1.  Adult Stem Cells Were Removed From Patient's Bone Marrow

2.  Stem Cells Were Then Multiplied In A Lab

3.  Stem Cells Were Then Implanted Into the Patient's Brain Using Stereotactic Surgery

From the stem cell article: Elaborating on the surgery, he said, “Under the influence of local anesthesia, two burr holes are made in the head, through which microscopic amounts of autologous mesenchymal stem cells are injected. About 100 shots of stem cell were injected. As these cells are from the patient’s own bone marrow there is no potential of rejection, and side effects are also negated as they can multiply only for a limited time.”

Dr Paresh Doshi, head of the stereotactic and functional neurosurgery department at the hospital says that Jaslok Hospital and Reliance Life Sciences have partnered for 10 such cases and the results of these will be evaluated over a period of three years. “We are not claiming that we have successfully operated the patient as a thorough evaluation of the patient will be done for 18 months. But Jaslok Hospital is the first one to use stem cell for Parkinson’s disease in a proper clinical setup in the world,”


This is a fantastic story. Michael J Fox, are you reading this? Get this going at your foundation!!

Adult Stem Cells fix broken jawbones in Spain

 Bone Repair Cells (BRCs) were used in Spain to repair the faces of patients suffering from severe craniofacial defects in 2008 and the 12-month results were released at a conference in China this month (Aug. 2009). The product was developed by what RSCI considers one of the top stem cell companies in America, Aastrom Biosciences. 

Dr. Jose Mendonca, Director of the Head and Neck Surgery Unit of Hospital POLUSA in Lugo, Spain and previously a Clinical and Research Fellow in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry, reviewed the results of treatment with BRCs in three patients with craniofacial defects, as follows:

1-- The first patient was treated for severe mandibular osteoradionecrosis, or osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by
 radiation, and presented with pathological fracture and complete numbness of the lower lip. At 12 months post-BRC treatment, thepatient displayed restored vascular function, new bone formation, fracture consolidation and total recovery of lip numbness.

2--The second patient was treated for post-traumatic mandibular osteomyelitis and presented with massive bone loss, chronic infection, chronic pain and total impairment of function of both mandibular nerves. At 12 months post-BRC treatment, the patient experienced complete functional nerve recovery and the formation of new bone.

3-The third patient was treated for iatrogenic massive bone loss in the posterior maxilla and presented with severe oral function impairment. At 12 months post-BRC treatment, the patient had new bone formation in atrophic areas.
All patients underwent a minor surgery to insert a dental implant into the newly regenerated jaw bone. Eight weeks later, the dental prosthesis (teeth) was attached to the implant completing the treatment objectives with the restoration of oral function.

"The outcome of these treatments with BRCs has been very satisfactory. We observed early bone formation in the afflicted areas that eventually resulted in complete healing," said Dr. Mendonca. "Unexpected therapeutic results from treatment with BRCs include peripheral nerve regeneration or repair, new skin formation and proliferation in blood vessels in ischemic areas!!


NOTE from Don Margolis: RSCI knew that this “trial” would succeed, but how well it came out surprised even us, who have seen five years of Repair Stem Cell successes month after month. We look for unexpected side effects---always positive---ever since TheraVitae’s pioneer heart stem cells surprised everyone by improving the patients’ diabetes in one out of six cases. These “side effects” are, well, astonishing. New blood vessels in ischemic areas from a jawbone? Nerve regeneration? New skin? This will take a while to sink in!

Stem Cell Research Trial For Liver Patients Using Adult Stem Cells

In a stem cell research trial that isn't getting enough news, liver patients are now being treated with their own Adult Stem Cells at Hammersmith Hospital in London, England. They have treated more than 30 patients now with "good results." This is good news for those liver patients facing a transplant (and death).

I covered this stem cell story back in September 2008, and since then it seems they have treated more liver patients with their own stem cells with more good results. This excerpt is from the most recent stem cell article:

The stem cells help to grow new liver cells so that a damaged liver can begin to function normally again.

The team, which is based at London’s Hammersmith Hospital, has used the technique on around 30 patients so far with good results. They hope the treatment will become mainstream within three to five years.

It involves taking blood from patients, removing stem cells that circulate in the bloodstream and multiplying them in a laboratory. They are infused back into the liver via a main artery where they continue to multiply as liver cells.

The technique, which is undergoing trials, could revolutionise treatment of patients with liver failure. At present there is no method of keeping them alive as there is with kidney disease.

The Original Is Always Better Than the Sequel

However, the original post back in September 2008, had more details about this new stem cell treatment:

Administering autologous expanded mobilized adult progenitor CD34+ cells into the hepatic artery of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) leads to considerable benefit, researchers report in the September issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

“We are encouraged that the majority of patients in this study experienced a significant improvement in their liver functions,” senior investigator Dr. Nagy A. Habib told Reuters Health.

Dr. Habib of Imperial College, London, and colleagues studied nine ALC patients who had been abstinent for at least 6 months. The patients underwent granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilization and leukapheresis. Autologous CD34+ cells were then expanded in vitro by an average of 5 times and injected into the hepatic artery.

All patients tolerated the procedure well and over 12 weeks of follow-up there were significant decreases in serum bilirubin. A significant reduction in levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase was seen 1 week after the transfusion and showed improvement through the study period.

Seven of the patients showed an improvement in Child-Pugh scores, and on imaging at 12 weeks, three patients showed a complete resolution of ascites and two had a significant reduction.

Stem Cell Therapy for Liver- Faster Please

This is fantastic news for cirrhosis patients, as well as Hepatitis C patients.  However, once again, the stem cell therapy isn't getting to the patient fast enough.  The stem cell research trial seems to have been going on for more than 1 year, yet only 30 liver patients have been treated.  Think about all those liver patients who can probably be improved by this and safe as well- nothing to lose.