Contributed by Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain) Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of cancer that begins in the brain and results in tumors that can be very difficult to treat. This condition has claimed the lives of Beau Biden, former Vice President Joe Biden's son, and John McCain, former Senator of Arizona. However, a new … Continue reading New CAR-T cell therapy using scorpion venom developed to treat brain tumors
Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
Do an online search for “autism stem cells” and you quickly come up with numerous websites offering stem cell therapies for autism. They offer encouraging phrases like “new and effective approach” and “a real, lasting treatment.” They even include dense scientific videos featuring people like Dr. Arnold Caplan, a professor at Case Western Reserve University … Continue reading Ask the Stem Cell Team About Autism
Big time validation for early support
It’s not every day that a company and a concept that you helped support from the very beginning gets snapped up for $4.9 billion. But that’s what is happening with Forty Seven Inc. and their anti-cancer therapies. Gilead, another California company by the way, has announced it is buying Forty Seven Inc. for almost $5 … Continue reading Big time validation for early support
Stem cell transplant in utero offers potential treatment for congenital diseases
Dr. Tippi Mackenzie, UCSFImage Credit: UCSF Each year, around 24,000 women in the US lose a pregnancy. One reason for this unfortunate occurrence are metabolic disorders, one of which is known as Sly syndrome and is caused by a single genetic mutation. In Sly syndrome, the body's cells lack an enzyme necessary for proper cell … Continue reading Stem cell transplant in utero offers potential treatment for congenital diseases
How developing a treatment for a rare disease could lead to therapies for other, not-so-rare conditions
Logan Lacy, a child with AADC Deficiency: Photo courtesy Chambersburg Public Opinion Tomorrow, the last day in February, is Rare Disease Day. It’s a day dedicated to raising awareness about rare diseases and the impact they have on patients and their families. But the truth is rare diseases are not so rare. There are around … Continue reading How developing a treatment for a rare disease could lead to therapies for other, not-so-rare conditions
Overcoming obstacles in blood stem cell therapies
Photo Credit: OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Today, we here at CIRM wanted to provide an update on the fascinating world of hematopoietic (blood) stem cell-based therapies. What is the current status of this promising field and what are some of the challenges that need to be overcome? Dr. Kelly Shepard, Associate Director of Discovery and … Continue reading Overcoming obstacles in blood stem cell therapies
How quitting smoking helps your lungs regenerate; a discovery could lead to new ways to repair damaged lungs; and encouraging news in a stroke recovery trial
Photo courtesy Lindsay Fox Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death not just in the US, but worldwide. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tobacco causes an estimated seven million deaths around the world, every single year. And for every person who dies, another 30 live with a … Continue reading How quitting smoking helps your lungs regenerate; a discovery could lead to new ways to repair damaged lungs; and encouraging news in a stroke recovery trial
Breakthrough image could lead to better therapies
Image of a blood stem cell in its natural environment: Photo courtesy UC Merced When it comes to using stem cells for therapy you don’t just need to understand what kinds of cell to use, you also need to understand the environment that is best for them. Trying to get stem cells to grow in … Continue reading Breakthrough image could lead to better therapies
CIRM supported study finds that a gene associated with autism influences brain stem cells
Dr. Bennett Novitch, UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research CenterImage Credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center In a previous blog post, we discussed new findings in a CIRM supported study at the Salk Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a developmental disorder that comes in broad ranges and primarily affects communication and behavior. This week, … Continue reading CIRM supported study finds that a gene associated with autism influences brain stem cells
CIRM funded study links rapid brain growth in autism to DNA damage
Meiyan Wang and Dr. Rusty Gage at the Salk Institute. Image Credit: Salk Institute Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that comes in broad ranges and primarily affects communication and behavior. Many people with ASD also have macrocephaly, or unusually large heads. Unfortunately, understanding the underlying causes of this disorder and development of … Continue reading CIRM funded study links rapid brain growth in autism to DNA damage
The Stem Cellar 