More Hope Through Stem Cells

[kwarendorf]

This article discusses possible stem cell therapy. Dare we hope?

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57947169-78/cells-stem-lane-mice.html.csp

[kwarendorf]

I forget why, but I didn't meet the criteria. In this case I would have participated  because it uses autologous stem cells. Seems more safe than an experimental medication...

[PeninaD]

YAY...were you one of those that put in to be evaluated for the study, or are you waiting to see how it goes over time?  Not sure I would want to do a Phase I trial...I'd want to see some safety studies before I jumped in, and for sure, I am not advising our daughter to do so.

[kwarendorf]

As a matter of fact I do know of the Tisch study, as Saud Sadiq who is conducting the study, is my neurologist :-) Richard Cohen's thoughts on the process are also available on his blog at richardcohen.com.

Kyle

[PeninaD]

You do know that in NYC at Tisch MS research center, there is an FDA approved phase one study of  mesenchymal stem cells going on with 20 patients?

Richard Cohen and his wife, Meredith Viera documented his first treatment.  It is too soon to find results on this yet.  Vids of the whole process are up on this page.  
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9l9p6cOBttbbeRLu0jQHQg

[karryon55]

It's so exciting reading stuff like that & gives you that feeling that just maybe someone will get there one day.

I was put on a couple of TNF inhibitor DMD's for my RA about 2002 to 2006 & it's believed that these exacerbated my preexisting MS which of course I didn't know I had at the time. If I had been dx'd with MS at the time they wouldn't have given it to me because of these risks. I knew at the time that even though these drugs had been in clinical trails they were still new & long term use was unknown.

I was also part of a research unit when I started my Rituximab over 6 years ago & again I knew they didn't know what the long term effects this could have on people but I'm so glad that I held onto my hopes that it could maybe just work for me. At the time I had trialled all available DMD's without success & I was using a wheelchair for anything more than a few metres so what did I have to lose.

I still have hope today that in my lifetime there will be further giant steps in finding treatments for MS, the many forms of arthritis & autoimmune conditions. Medicine has come so far in the last 20 years & it is exciting to hear where it is heading now. I guess I have said all of this because I would never like to give up hope because there is always something just around the corner.

Thanks for that information Kyle, it's always appreciated.

Karry.

[immisceo]

It's definitely an area of such potential, though my cautious mind has it all squarely filed under 'theoretical applications and results' for the time being.  Put it this way; I'm 33. If any of this comes to fruition (as in, available to the average person) by the time I'm thinking about retirement I'll be delighted and grateful.

I appreciate you keeping us abreast of all these topics, Kyle! I know this is an area your own neurologist is at the forefront of (if I remember correctly, that is!). I feel so indebted to these research vanguards.