Stem Cells Poised To Grow Organs For Transplant

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Also Included In: Transplants / Organ Donations
Article Date: 29 Dec 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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At the 16th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine & Regenerative Biomedical Technologies in Las Vegas, Zannos Grekos, MD, director of Cardiac and Vascular Disease for Regenocyte Therapeutic, addressed physicians from around the world with a presentation on patients treated with pre-engineered Adult Stem Cells. In the presentation, Grekos showed the successful engraftment of stem cells into damaged organs and subsequent regeneration of tissue. The clinical success has spurred a project entailing growing organs for transplant from patients' own stem cells using technology developed by National Aeronautic Space Association (NASA). In describing details of the stem cells project Grekos stated, "This is the logical next step in harnessing the regenerative power of stem cells. This will be the next phase in turning science into medicine."

The presentation also cited stem cells treatment results at one month through one year follow up. The Regenocyte team of international scientists and physicians have been treating cardiac, vascular, pulmonary, and kidney diseases, with plans next year to accept patients suffering from macular degeneration and neurological diseases.

Athina Kyritsis, MD, chair of Regenocyte's Medical Advisory Committee, explains "the findings presented today are based on several years of Regenocyte's clinical experience using Autologous Adult Stem Cell Therapy. I believe we have only begun to discover what Adult Stem Cells can accomplish in altering the course of diseases currently believed to be untreatable with not only improved clinical results, but also a financial savings to society."

Dr. Grekos also highlighted several case studies to illustrate his team's success with Adult Stem Cells. According to their findings, cardiac disease patients experience an average increase of 21% in ejection rates as well as measurable improvements in congestive heart failure class status, some in as little as one month post-treatment. "We are able to bring patients from a Class IV congestive heart failure status to a Class II status in less than 180 days," said Grekos. Regenocyte Therapeutic's clinical data from PET scans confirm that Adult Stem Cells have the ability to engraft themselves into areas damaged by myocardial infarction (heart attacks) and turn into viable new heart muscle. "Three months after treatment, cardiac nuclear scans of the areas treated reveal reversal of damage. We have been able to take patients off the transplant list, and we have been doing it consistently."

Most recently, physicians at the Dominican Republic division of Regenocyte announced clinical results of a 46-year-old patient with pulmonary hypertension who was treated with Adult Stem Cells. His pulmonary artery mean pressure went from 41mmHg (severe pulmonary hypertension) to 24 mmHg (normal) in six months. The patient's saturations are now consistently high and he no longer needs to be supplemented with oxygen continuously or considered for a lung transplant. Another patient was successfully treated for cardiac sequelae of Fabry's Disease, and is also no longer considered for heart transplant.

Hector Rosario, MD, chief of Interventional Cardiology for the Dominican Republic division of Regenocyte, is thrilled with the clinical outcomes to date. "It is personally very gratifying to alter the prognosis in patients who have exhausted all other options," Rosario says. Leonel Francisco Liriano, MD, professor of medicine at Pontifical Catholic University School of Medicine and medical director of the Regenocyte Dominican Republic division added that "patient safety is always paramount. We're achieving these results with a treatment that poses minimal risk, much lower than traditional surgical procedures."

Regenocyte Therapeutic is currently using Adult Stem Cells Therapy to treat Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, Peripheral Artery Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Kidney Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Pulmonary diseases (COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Hypertension) and Early Senile Dementia. Patients can call 866-216-5710 or visit http://www.regenocyte.com for information or consultation.

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