Multiple sclerosis patient retires his walking stick after umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapy

From: mcgillron
Date: Wed, Nov 27, 2013 at 11:51 AM
Subject: Happy Thanksgiving!
To: edited_for_privacy@cellmedicine.com

Dr Barnett / Dr Hernandez & all staff at Clinic,

It’s a very special Thanksgiving for my household & I owe it to the efforts of all of you!

I’ve been walking without my stick since returning from stem cell therapy. 1 week of holding it for security & going on 3rd week of it riding in truck of my car. My stability is becoming more consistent & controlled. I am walking farther longer, riding bicycle more rhythmic & swimming smoother strokes.

Results are much greater than I expected. I believe the lifestyle changes, vitamin regimen, herbals, exercise & positive attitude adopted 14 months prior to visiting you allowed me to receive maximum benefit from the stem cell therapy.

I look forward to progressing my abilities back to a higher level over the next months.

If you would like me to share what I’ve done & am doing to get my results, feel free to give my email.

Dr Hernandez – please stay in contact on the herbal adjustments I’m making to solve final 2 deficiencies.

THANKS AGAIN for your hospitality & care!

Ron Mc Gill

Sam Harrell demonstrates his progress after receiving umbilical cord stem cells + fat stem cells for multiple sclerosis

Texas high school Hall of Fame football coach Sam Harrell talks about his progress after undergoing several stem cell treatments for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama.

Sam is speaking from the clinic in Panama while undergoing his fourth 5-day course of combination human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and fat-derived stromal vascular fraction cells.

"I came by myself this time and that's just a sign of how much better I've gotten. ...the last times I've come I had to get in a wheel chair [off the plane] and I just walked through the airport this time. People ask me. 'Do you think it really helps?'. Well, just look! I am walking through the airport with no aids." [Sam demonstrates how he used to walk before treatment] "I took little steps. If I needed to turn around, I had to do like this." [Sam demonstrates a slow, shuffling turn] "I don't have a rope but now I can jump rope." [sam demonstates jumping rope and walks quickly around the room demonstrating quick changes in directions] "Before, I couldn't jump rope. I couldn't do any of that. Now I can do those things. I used to have to think about my steps. I'd have to think about right leg, and left leg and now I don't have to think. I catch myself doing that. I walk somewhere and I think, 'hey I didn't have to think about walking from there to there. I just got up and walked like I used to. Now I can make quick moves. I couldn't do any of that before."

"...I coached football and I had to retire. I never thought I'd coach football again. Just this last year, I coached football again. Amazing. I thought I would never do that again. I coached this past year and I plan on doing it again. I'm thank to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama and I am thankful to God above. He's smiling on me too. It's an amazing story, I think."

Sam Harrell Texas High School Football Hall of Fame: http://www.brownwoodnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10918:harrell-to-be-inducted-into-the-texas-high-school-football-hall-of-fame&catid=39:sports&Itemid=62

Links:

Stem Cell Therapy for MS

More Patient Stories

Medistem Panama Awarded ISO 9001 International Global Certification

Awarded this:

CERTIFICATION

for the Quality Management System of:

MEDISTEM PANAMA

Offices included in the scope:

Ciudad del Saber, Edificio # 221, piso # 2,
Clayton, Ancón
Panama City, Republic of Panama



The scope includes the following activities:

• Isolation of stem cells from adipose tissue(ADSC) and mononuclear cells from bone marrow.
• Expansion and harvest of mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord, adipose tissue and its derivatives.

ISO 9001:2008

Valid from 19, June 2016
Granted from Panama 20, June 2013

Antonio Martin
Director
IGC10126

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells: Regeneration, Repair, Inflammation and Autoimmunity - Neil Riordan PhD (Part 2 of 2)

In part 2, Dr. Riordan discusses how mesenchymal stem cells can affect tissue repair in spinal cord injury and in heart failure; benefit to heart is not the actual MSCs modeling new tissue. It is due to the trophic effects of MSC secretions; In rats, severed spinal cords re-grew after MSCs were implanted but the human MSCs did not form new cord tissue. The trophic factors secreted by the MSCs enable the spinal cord to repair itself.; Trophic factors from MSCs modulate the immune system by blocking clonal expansin of cytotoxic T-cells; There are 35 ongoing clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cells for autoimmune diseases; Safety of donor MSCs; Every mother has MSCs from each baby she has carried; Mothers have a lower incidence of autoimmune disease; Lifespan of mothers increased linearly with each child up to 14; There are 85 ongoing clinical trials using donor MSCs. Allogeneic MSCs from bone marrow have been approved in Canada and New Zealand to treat graft vs. host disease; limbal cells used in corneal transplants are MSCs; MSCs are useful in preventing donated organ rejection; glioma growth was found to be inhibited by MSCs; MSCs eliminated breast cancer in rats.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Regeneration, Repair, Inflammation and Autoimmunity – Neil Riordan, PhD (Part 1 of 2)

Neil Riordan, PhD is the Founder of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama. He is also the Co-Founder of Medistem Inc in San Diego and the current President of Medistem Panama. Dr. Riordan is speaking at a Stem Cell Institute patient outreach event held in Miami in May 2013.

In part 1, Dr. Riordan discusses the background of Medistem Panama and the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) in Panama. He presents the types of stem cells used at SCI: Patient’s own bone marrow, Patient’s own fat tissue and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells donated from live, healthy births. Dr. Riordans goes on to discuss: collaborations with UC San Diego, Indiana University, University of Utah and University of Western Ontario; patents and publications; Medistem Panama lab, clean rooms and equipment; Why the Stem Cell Institute is in Panama; Panamanian stem cell laws; What are mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) ?, mesenchymal stem cell homing, how MSCs induce repair, how MSCs modulate the immune system, young vs. old MSCs, Are MSCs safe?; MSCs are actually pericytes. They are found throughout the body in all vascular tissues around blood vessels, bone marrow, umbilical cord, placental tissue, menstrual blood and teeth; Stem Cell Institute’s source of umbilical cord MSCs: live, healthy birth, mother screened for medical history, consent from family for donation, mother tested for infectious diseases, cord tested for infectious diseases and sterility; the mesengenic process; how pericytes respond to injury and form “medicinal MSCs”; MSCs are anti-apoptotic, anti-scaring, angiogenic, and mitotic.; MSCs are also immunomodulatory; MSC homing in rats; Human MSCs decline drastically with age; Stem Cell Institute uses umbilical cord-derived MSCs because they are non-tumorigenic, very robust – high number of doublings, faster doubling time,; What does ‘doubling’ mean?; Effects of aging on MSCs.

VIDEO - The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 5)

In part 5, Prof. Caplan discusses: Mesenchymal stem cells produce huge quantities of bio-molecules, some of which are immunosuppressive; MSCs put up a curtain of molecules around themselves that allows donor (allogeneic) MSCs to be transplanted into a recipient free from immune response; The bio-chemical mechanism of how MSCs shield themselves from host T Cells; Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell business model; Treatment of graft vs. host disease in children and adults; Treatment of Crohn's disease with allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells.

VIDEO - The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 4)

In part 4, Prof. Caplan talks about isolating mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow using specialized; calf serum choosing different assays to prove multipotency - osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, adipogenesis; point of care with autologous bone marrow in orthopedic surgery; tissue engineering bone with lineage restricted MSCs; banking bone discarded bone marrow from orthopedic surgeries for future use;

VIDEO - The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 3)

In Part 3, Dr. Caplan discusses the science behind mesenchymal stem cells: sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the fact that all MSCs are pericytes so one can find them in any tissue that has blood vessels, pericytes express markers of MSCs, frequency of pericytes in human tissue, most abundant source of pericytes is adipose (fat) tissue, adipose-derived stem cells, how MSCs are separated from fat, chemistries MSCs from different tissues are not the same, MSCs function at sites of injury, mesenchymal stem cell homing in mice, MSCs don't make fat, they don't make muscle but they do come back as pericytes, and not all pericytes are MSCs.

VIDEO - The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 2)

In part 2, Prof. Caplan discusses the two types of regenerative medicine: tissue engineering and in vivo tissue regeneration, hematapoietic and mesenchymal stem cells. All mesenchymal stem cells are pericytes and have immuno-modulatory and trophic properties

VIDEO - The Science of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Arnold Caplan PhD (Part 1)

Professor Arnold Caplan of Case Western Reserve University is widely regarded as "The Father of the Mesenchymal Stem Cell". This lecture is a "must see" for anyone interested in stem cell therapy. In Part 1, Prof. Caplan presents a new regulatory pathway for approval of cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine called "Progressive Approval" to replace the current US FDA system that is now in place.

Prof. Caplan was speaking in Panama City, Panama at "La Medicina Del Futuro En El Presente", an event organized by the honarable Ruben Berrocal MD, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation SENACYT (National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation) and Prof. K. S. Jagannatha Rao, Ph.D., FNASc, FABAP, FASB, FLS (Reino Unido) Director INDICASAT-AIP (Instituto de Investigaciones Cientificas y Servicios de Alta Tecnologia -- Institute for Scientific Research and High Technology Services).

VIDEO - Stem Cell Therapy for Knees, Osteoarthritis and Autoimmune Disorders: King Goff Discusses Treatment

King Goff received three applications of his own adipose tissue-derived stem cells over the course of 3 days for a knee injury and autoimmune issues at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama. In this video, Mr. Goff discusses conventional treatments he received before stem cells, pre-treatment symptoms, post-treatment improvements, the doctors and staff, and the clinic.

"My immune system is the thing that is noticeably better. My allergies have corrected. The sinusitis circumstances that I was having problems with have corrected, in part but not completely. My knees, I'm up to being able to be on fairly distant walks of one and a half to two miles as part of my exercise program without the pain that I experienced prior to the [stem cell] treatment. Those are the most significant gains that I can say; just a lack of pain and increased mobility." - King Goff

More Treatment Information:
http://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-therapy-for-osteoarthritis/
http://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-therapy-for-autoimmune-diseases/


Patient Stories, Videos and News:
http://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-therapy/patient-stories/osteoarthritis-patient-stories/
http://www.cellmedicine.com/stem-cell-therapy/patient-stories/rheumatoid-arthritis-patient-stories/

To Apply for Treatment:
http://www.cellmedicine.com/patient-application/

Stem Cell Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury at Stem Cell Institute in Panama: Theo K.

Theo Kostoulas is a T-6 complete spinal cord injury patient. He received a course of 16 stem cell therapy injections using umbilical cord-derived stem cells and his own bone marrow-derived stem cells. The cells were injected both intravenously and intrathecally (into the spinal fluid). During his stay in Panama and as part of his treatment protocol, Theo went to 19 physical therapy sessions over the course of month.

“I can definitely say that after the second injection, I immediately actually started getting some leg sensation and touch back from below my injury level. It was me lying in bed while my mother was putting my sock on my feet. I was actually able to feel that and it was pretty amazing because I haven’t had and feeling or sensation at all from my injury level of T-6. Now, more towards the end here, I have actually been able to have bladder sensation. I am a person that usually cath’ed myself every four hours but now because I do have this sensation coming back, I tend to wait until I have the need to have to go. So it can be anywhere from six to seven hours. If I need to drink a lot of water before coming to treatment, I know ahead of time whether I need to cath myself sooner or not.”

Useful Links:

About Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury Patient Videos, Stories and News

Apply for Stem Cell Therapy at the Stem Cell Institute

Stem Cell Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis at Stem Cell Institute Panama - Arminda Bourin

Arminda Bourin has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since 2003. She underwent adult stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in February 2012 because her swollen, painful ankles made it very difficult for her to walk. This interview takes place approximately one year after treatment.

Before coming to Panama, Ms. Bourin tried everything from anti-inflammatory and auto-immune medication to homeopathy and finally surgery on her left ankle, "Which I regret because if I had waited [until after the stem cell therapy], it would not have been necessary. The other foot with the same symptoms is now better without any surgery. I think it was the stem cells."

Ms. Bourin learned about the Stem Cell Institute from her husband's cousin, Judi Lecoq. Judy received treatment for multiple sclerosis and, "...told us how wonderful the treatment was and that she was so much better."

Regarding the doctors, staff and clinic, "They are wonderful. Everybody has been so kind."

Upon being asked, "Has this treatment changed your life?" Ms. Bourin responded, "Well, yes. I was not walking too much. I needed a wheelchair. It was painful anyway. So to be able to go shopping, that's a miracle!"

Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure - Patient's Ejection Fraction Increases from 25% to 55%

Lillian Rowland is a 79 year-old [former] heart failure patient from Ohio. She was diagnosed with heart failure in March 2012. Her left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at that time was measured at 25%. Normal LVEF range is 55% - 70%.

Lillian's cardiologist recommended an implantable defibrillator. At the time, she did not want to go through the implantation procedure so she declined. Lillian decided to go to the Stem Cell Institute (SCI) in Panama for human umbilical cord-derived stem cell treatments after hearing about it from her son Jay Lenner who works for SCI as its Public Relations Manager.

Below is a brief interview with Lillian in March 2013. Today, her heart is back into normal range (LVEF = 55%) and her cardiologist told her that she no longer needs an implantable defibrillator.

What was your diagnosis?

I was diagnosed with heart failure.

When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed in March 2012.

What symptoms did you have?

I couldn't breathe at night. I was sleeping and I had to get up. I was gasping for breath.

Why did you choose the Stem Cell Institute?

Because my son works in stem cells and after I got out of the hospital in Arizona he wanted to take me down to have stem cells to see if it could help repair the damage to my heart.

How where the doctors at the clinic?

The doctors were very nice and there's really nothing to it. It's just an injection that goes into [a catheter placed into a vein inside] your hand. It's not like they are operating on you or anything.

How was the clinic?

The clinic is very clean and sterile and the people are very nice.

Do you have any symptoms now?

It's been a year since I had the stem cells and I am symptom free.

I had an echocardiogram a year after the stem cells and when they read it my ejection fraction was 55%. They wanted to put a defibrillator in me and the heart doctor came up and said, there's no reason to put one in now because my heart was OK.

Would you recommend that other heart failure patients go to Panama for treatment?

Yes I would.

Do you think this changed your life?

Yes. I don't have to worry about having a heart problem!


*The umbilical cord stem cells used by the Stem Cell Institute are recovered from donated umbilical cords following normal, healthy births. Before they are approved for use in treatments, all umbilical cord-derived stem cell samples are screened for viruses and bacteria to International Blood Bank standards.

Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Disease - Jim Parker Attorney at Law and former Texas State Legislature Member

Jim Parker, Attorney at Law is a former Texas State Legislature member who was treated with umbilical-cord derived stem cells for heart disease at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama in March 2011.

Jim was kind enough to answer some questions about his condition before and after treatment. He also discusses his trip to Panama, the clinic and its staff.

What is your diagnosis and when were you diagnosed?

Exactly what my diagnosis was I cannot say in medical terms. Factually speaking, I had five (5) by-passes in 1995 (or thereabouts) and then had nine (9) stents added over the next 13 or 14 years. I began to experience severe angina in January and February of 2011 and was hospitalized in February with a series of heart attacks. I had consulted my cardiologist in Abilene and had also gone to a cardiologist in Dallas who was supposed to be really good. They both told me that there was simply nothing else I could do. When I was released from the local hospital in early March of 2011, my family doctor gave me a bottle of morphine and a bottle of nitroglycerine and basically told me to make it as well as I could for as long as I could.

We had heard about the Panama operation (Stem Cell Institute) from local people who had gone for various reasons. Every one of them seemed well-pleased with the results they were able to get. After release from the local hospital in early March of 2011, I sent my medical records to Panama and arranged an appointment in mid-March. I traveled to Panama in a wheel chair because I was not able to walk in the airport.
Upon arrival in Panama the first day was spent drawing my blood for blood tests. The next 7 days the (umbilical cord-derived) stem cells were infused back into my body.

I found the staff to be very helpful and apparently knowledgeable. Our needs outside the clinic were well taken care of and we were very satisfied with our experience.

I steadily improved after Panama to the point where I have now resumed a normal life (at as normal as a 68 year-old guy can expect) and I am back at work. I have not had to use a nitroglycerine pill in over a year and, so far as I can tell, I have no immediate heart problems and but for the damage suffered from my earlier episodes, my heart would be in good shape. My longtime cardiologist will still see me but he believes Panama was some sort of voodoo and I have just been lucky. I continue to take a mild blood pressure medication and I do still take blood thinner. However, about 6 months after Panama my blood pressure got so low they had to cut down the strength of the medication.

What symptoms did you have before you cam for treatment?

Prior to Panama I had a series of heart attacks over a number of years and was eating nitroglycerine tablets like M&Ms.

Which treatments did you try in the U.S. first, and when did you know that you needed to find help outside of the country?

I tried every treatment available in the US of A. Had every test know to man. I mean 5 by-passes and 9 stents many not be a record but it has to be well beyond average.

Why did you choose The Stem Cell Institute in Panama for stem cell treatment?

I chose the Stem Cell Institute in Panama because several local folks had gone there and they were pleased with the results. And, I really had no place to go but the cemetery.

How were the doctors at the clinic? How were the facilities?

The only doctor I recall seeing was Dr. Paz. The facilities were at least on par with what you would find in the US and the staff was more solicitous and helpful than you would find in the US.

How are your symptoms now? How have they improved?

I have no symptoms now. (Knock on wood). I have some breathing issues but I am told that is COPD and it is not really all that bad. I could live another 100 years feeling as good as I do now.

Have you reduced or eliminated any of the medications you were taking before stem cell therapy?

I have cut way back on medication I was using prior to Panama and feel I could probably cut back some more; however, I have to give the local MD's something to work on. And, by the way, I go to the doctor as little as possible now. Maybe twice a year at most.

How soon did you start seeing/noticing a difference? How was your overall experience?

I began to notice a difference (maybe it was just anticipation) about 6 to 8 weeks after returning from Panama. It has gotten better and better since then. Since I can move around, I have lost over 40 pounds and now am at 6 feet tall and 215 pounds, down from over 250 pounds.

How has this changed your life?

Panama did not exactly change my life. It literally gave my life back to me. I have been married to the same woman for over 50 years and we were able to become intimate again. I am out and about every day and pretty much do what I want to do and go where I want to go.

Additional Comments

Many people should know about this option. There are people dying here in the land of the free and the home of the brave each day that are in better shape than I was when I went to Panama.

And, by the way, I am not subject to flights of fancy and accepting things a thinking person might not accept. I hold a doctor of jurisprudence degree and have been a criminal defense attorney all my adult life. I am about as cynical and skeptical as you will find but I am a believer in your process.

Thank you,

Jim Parker

Stem cell treatments for spinal cord injury: Daniel Campbell

After stem cell therapy at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama, C-6 incomplete spinal cord injury patient, Daniel Campbell describes how his condition has improved since his first treatment. Daniel is in Panama for his second treatment during this recording

"...The trajectory of my recovery drastically took an upward turn. I got grip back, got a lot stronger and my blood pressure issue sort of went out the window. My lower back started firing so when I lean back in my chair, I don't just fall.

Most recently my hip flexors started firing in certain positions so I can assist the therapist while crawling. Bowel and bladder sensation has gotten better. I have hot and cold sensation in my hands now. Incontinence is a thing of the past.

Endometrial regenerative cells for treatment of heart failure: a new stem cell enters the clinic

Leo Bockeria, Vladimir Bogin, Olga Bockeria, Tatyana Le, Bagrat Alekyan, Erik J Woods, Amalia A Brown, Thomas E Ichim and Amit N Patel

Journal of Translational Medicine 2013, 11:56 doi:10.1186/1479-5876-11-56
Published: 5 March 2013

Heart failure is one of the key causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide. The recent findings that regeneration is possible in the heart have made stem cell therapeutics the Holy Grail of modern cardiovascular medicine. The success of cardiac regenerative therapies hinges on the combination of an effective allogeneic “off the shelf” cell product with a practical delivery system. In 2007 Medistem discovered the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), a new mesenchymal-like stem cell. Medistem and subsequently independent groups have demonstrated that ERC are superior to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), the most widely used stem cell source in development. ERC possess robust expansion capability (one donor can generate 20,000 patients doses), key growth factor production and high levels of angiogenic activity. ERC have been published in the peer reviewed literature to be significantly more effect at treating animal models of heart failure (Hida et al. Stem Cells 2008).Current methods of delivering stem cells into the heart suffer several limitations in addition to poor delivery efficiency. Surgical methods are highly invasive, and the classical catheter based techniques are limited by need for sophisticated cardiac mapping systems and risk of myocardial perforation. Medistem together with Dr. Amit Patel Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah have developed a novel minimally invasive delivery method that has been demonstrated safe and effective for delivery of stem cells (Tuma et al. J Transl Med 2012). Medistem is evaluating the combination of ERC, together with our retrograde delivery procedure in a 60 heart failure patient, double blind, placebo controlled phase II trial. To date 17 patients have been dosed and preliminary analysis by the Data Safety Monitoring Board has allowed for trial continuation.The combined use of a novel “off the shelf” cell together with a minimally invasive 30 minute delivery method provides a potentially paradigm-shifting approach to cardiac regenerative therapy.

http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/11/1/56/abstract

MS Radio: Stem Cells Can Change Lives - Tuesday, Feb 19th

On Tuesday, February 19th, 2013
at 5pm EST

Stem Cells Change Lives
Click here to Listen Online

or Call (347) 327-9317
Toll Free (877) 497-9936

Join us on Multiple Sclerosis Radio as the Director of MSstation™ Radio Judi Lecoq and her panel of nine individuals candidly share their testimonies of living with Multiple Sclerosis and their experiences after undergoing Stem Cell Treatment.

 

Judi Lecoq

I was diagnosed with Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 1997, and began the Stem Cell Journey, with Fundraising January 2010.

SammyJo Wilkinson

Diagnosed ’95 relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressed by 2002. May 2012 I had adult stem cells in Houston, TX

Jennifer Ziegler

I was diagnosed with MS in 2004. I started thinking about Adult Stem Cell Therapy around 6 yrs. ago.

Holly Huber

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. Within months of my official diagnosis, I couldn’t walk. I was quickly facing having to live the rest of my life in a wheelchair and needing to depend on someone else 24/7 for survival. After 9 months of clinical research, in 2008 I had my first stem cell treatment.

Fiona Sparrow

Diagnosed 2005 with RRMS in 2009. Then I was told I had Malignant MS an extremely aggressive form. Only 3-5% of patients have this form. In December 29/2011 I underwent a full bone marrow transplant/stem cell transplant!

Annette Williams

Diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting MS in 2008. In 2010 it progressed to secondary progressive. I heard about stem cell therapy and begin researching about it. Following a fund raiser I went and had adult stem cells.

Carla Hickman

Diagnosed in May of 2003 with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. I began looking into stem cells in 2009 and went to Costa Rica in 2010.

Kane Roper

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis for roughly 7 – 8 years, before receiving stem cell treatment last Christmas.

Richard Humphries

In October of 2005 after several hundred tonic seizures, I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. By March 2007, it transition to Secondary Progressive MS. My wife and I were looking at a wheelchair. By the time I chose to have his first Stem Cell Treatments in 2008, I was completely bedridden. My Stem Cell Journey is long and varied.

Preston Walker

Diagnosed on Dec. 2001 with RRMS. I went down for ASC treatment on May 2008, June of 2009 and July of 2010.

Allogeneic and autogolous stem cell therapy combined with physical rehabilitation - A case report on a chronically injured man with quadriplegia

This is a research paper written by Rebecca Johnston, Daniel Leonard's sister. She recently graduated from a Physical Therapy degree program, and wrote her Capstone paper about Daniel's stem cell therapy treatment in Panama.

Daniel is presented anonymously in the paper, but Rebecca and Daniel have given their permission for this paper to be shared. Daniel's ASIA scores (pre and post treatment) are in the appendix of this paper.



Allogeneic and autogolous stem cell therapy combined with physical rehabilitation: A case report on a chronically injured man with quadriplegia

Abstract:

Background and Purpose: Stem cell therapy for SCI is a potentially promising treatment with increasing interest. This case report describes the use of a particular stem cell therapy protocol for a patient with chronic spinal cord injury, and describes his subsequent therapy and outcomes.

Case Description: The patient is a 29-year-old male who is chronically injured from a cervical spinal injury, resulting in quadriplegia. The patient was treated with a combined protocol of intrathecal (IT) and intravaneous (IV) allogeneic MSC and CD34+ cells and IT autologous BMMC at 6 ½ years post-injury. The results track the patient’s physical therapy progress until 6 months following stem cell treatment.

Outcomes: Recovery of strength in upper extremity and lower extremity muscle groups was noted, along with a functional increase in grip strength, ability to ambulate with assistance, and a significant decrease in daily medications.
Discussion: This case supports further investigation into treatment of chronically injured SCI patients with stem cell therapy followed by physical therapy.

Manuscript word count: 4321

A few highlights:

"After the patient underwent the stem cell treatment and returned to outpatient physical therapy in his hometown clinic in the United States, his MMT scores were tested over the period of 5 months post-stem cell treatment.... The patient did not decrease in strength in any of the muscles tested, and experienced improvements in 6/13 upper extremity muscle groups, and 8/9 lower extremity muscle groups."

"The patient also had an increase in grip strength. His grip strength was measured by his occupational therapist to be 5 lbs on the right and 25 lbs on the left at one month before his stem cell treatment. Six months later, his grip strength was measured to be 22 lbs on the right and 36 lbs on the left. The patient reported that this increase in grip strength led to functional improvements, such as being able to self-catheterize, which he was completely unable to do since his injury."

"The patient was also able to ambulate for the first time in 5 years at approximately 4 months after finishing his treatment. He was able to ambulate in partial weight bearing with the harness and max assist of two for 40 yards at .5 MPH."

---

The original post on Daniel Leonard's blog can be found here.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine:Mechanisms of action, sources, and delivery options

Neil Riordan, PhD, Founder of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama will be speaking today, Wednesday, Feb 6 at the STEMSO International Stem Cell Society 2013 Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

The topic of Dr. Riordan's discussion will be "Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine:Mechanisms of action, sources, and delivery options"

The theme for this year's event is "Autologous Stem Cells: Who gets to decide..."

Liposuction methods can adversely affect adipose tissue-derived stem cell yield and growth

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell yield and growth characteristics are affected by the tissue-harvesting procedure which was published in Cytotherapy (vol. 8 issue 2, 2006, pages 166-177)states that:

"Ultrasound-assisted liposuction resulted in a lower frequency of proliferating adult stem cells, as well as a longer population doubling time of adult stem cells, compared with resection..."

Those seeking adipose stem cell therapy should ask their doctor if he or she is using ultrasound assisted liposuction to collect the fat sample.

*Stem Cell Institute does not use ultrasound assisted liposuction.

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell yield and growth characteristics are affected by the tissue-harvesting procedure
M.J. Oedayrajsingh-Varma1, S.M. van Ham2, M. Knippenberg3, M.N. Helder4, J. Klein-Nulend3, T.E. Schouten5, M.J.P.F. Ritt1, F.J. van Milligen, PhD5,

1 Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2 Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research at CLB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3 Department of Oral Cell Biology, ACTA-Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
4 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
5 Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14653240600621125, How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Permissions & Reprints

Patients beware: "Point of care" fat stem cell separation and counting kits inaccurate and not US FDA approved for humans.

Informative paper by Mary Pat Moyer, PhD detailing why "same-day" fat stem cell kits that are becoming more prevalent in doctors' offices across the US can miscount "stem cells" by large factors leading to over estimation of stem cell counts by as much as 20 times or more.

It also states, "no complete harvest and cell isolation systems have been approved by the FDA for autologous SVF harvest for immediate use [in humans]." These are just a couple of the arguments presented that demonstrate why it's important to process adipose tissue properly in a professional lab setting.

Morrison DG, Hunt DA, Garza I, Johnson RA, Moyer MP*. Counting and Processing Methods Impact Accuracy of Adipose Stem Cell Doses. BioProcess J, 2012; 11(4): 4-17

Medistem Inc. Annual Letter to Shareholders

SAN DIEGO, CA–(Marketwire – Jan 4, 2013) – Medistem Inc. ( PINKSHEETS : MEDS ) today issues the following letter to shareholders.

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

2012 was marked by significant progress in the development of the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), our new universal donor “stem cell drug.” Most significantly, we initiated a double blind, placebo controlled clinical study in patients with end stage heart failure, in which ERC were administered via the Medistem’s patent-pending minimally invasive procedure. The clinical trial comprises three escalating doses of ERC with cohorts of 20 patients per dose. To date 14 patients have been treated with no adverse effects, thus demonstrating feasibility of the administration procedure, as well as safety of the cells. Because it is a double blind study, efficacy will not be known until the trial is completed. The clinical trial is being conducted at the Backulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery in Moscow, Russia, by Academician Leo Bockeria. The company also initiated a 15 patient critical limb ischemia trial in China in collaboration with Shanghai Jia Fu Medical Apparatus Inc. To date two patients have been treated. The trial is based on the Medistem critical limb ischemia study that has been cleared by the FDA.

In addition, we licensed from Yale University the world-wide rights for a patent application using ERC to treat Type 1 diabetes. We also initiated a program in type 1 diabetes, with the goal of filing an Investigational New Drug application before the end of 2013 to allow for clinical trial initiation.

In 2012, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) independently verified and published a peer reviewed article confirming ERC possess a markedly higher expression of genes associated with new blood vessel formation and stem cell potency compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The publication may be found at http://www.translational-medicine.com/content/pdf/1479-5876-10-207.pdf

In addition, our intellectual property was further enhanced with the issuance of patent #8,241,621 covering the use of fat derived stem cells for treatment of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. We have also filed 2 patent applications covering the use of ERC for radiation protection and treatment of traumatic brain injury.

Also, in collaboration with several corporate and academic institutions we published a total of 7 peer reviewed papers in 2012 on collaborative breakthroughs we made in the areas of hepatitis, cancer, and prevention of transplant rejection.

Additionally, this year we added two new advisory board members including Gene Ray, Ph.D., and Alexander Gershman, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Ray was founder of the Titan Corporation, where he served as CEO and a director of the corporation since the company’s inception in 1981. In 2011, Titan Corporation was acquired by L-3 Communications for $2.6 billion. Dr. Gershman is one of the first surgeons in the world to apply the method of laparoscopic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery to urology. He currently holds several hospital appointments, including: Director of Institute of Advanced Urology at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Director of Urologic Laparoscopy in the Division of Urology, and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Finally, this year marked a major transition in the leadership of the company. I was appointed to the position of CEO on October 26 and Dr. Thomas Ichim transitioned to the position of President and Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Ichim has done an outstanding job leading the company for the past four years and I look forward to working closely with him at commercializing the ERC product.

In 2013 our objective will be to meet the following milestones:
•Return to “fully reporting” status and listing on the OTCBB
•Appointment of at least one new board member
•Initiation of the FDA cleared critical limb ischemia trial in the USA
•Completing enrollment in the RECOVER-ERC double blind cardiac trial
•Filing an IND for type 1 diabetes.

I want to end by thanking our loyal shareholders for their continued support as Medistem continues on its mission to generate the first practical “stem cell medicine.”

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Alan Lewis
Chief Executive Officer
Medistem Inc.


About Medistem
Medistem Inc. is focused on the development of the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), a universal donor adult stem cell product. ERCs possess specialized abilities to stimulate new blood vessel growth and can differentiate into lung, liver, heart, brain, bone, cartilage, fat and pancreatic tissue. These unique properties have applications for treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI), congestive heart failure (CHF), neurodegenerative diseases, liver failure, kidney failure, and diabetes. ERCs have been cleared by the FDA to begin studies in the United States.

ERCs have several distinguishing advantages to other stem cell therapies: a) Non-invasive method of collection; b) Unlimited supply of cells; isolated from menstrual blood of young healthy donors; c) Economical and scalable to manufacture; d) Exert higher therapeutic activity compared to other stem cells; and e) demonstrated safe in animal and pilot human studies.

Cautionary Statement
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking information. Factors which may cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements are discussed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Contact:.
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Thomas Ichim, Ph.D.
President and Chief Scientific Officer
Medistem Inc.
9255 Towne Centre Drive
Suite 450
San Diego, CA 92122
858 349 3617
www.medisteminc.com

Jorge Paz MD – Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis, Sports Injury, and Autoimmune Diseases (Part 3 of 3) || Video

Stem Cell Institute Spring Seminar 2012
Gilbert, AZ

Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis using adipose (fat) stem cell. Case study of 76 year-old man with osteoarthritis in his knees. Stromal vasular fraction treatment statistics including side effects collected over 800 infusions. Stem cell treatments for sports injuries and why pro sports stars are seeking treatment. Case study of a professional dancer with knee and neck problems who returned to competition after stem cell treatment in Panama.

Jorge Paz, MD is the Medical Director at the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama

More information at www.cellmedicine.com