Every year, California performs around 100 kidney transplants in children, but, on average, around 50 of these patients will have their bodies reject the transplant. Improving kidney transplant outcomes These children then have to undergo regular dialysis while waiting for a new organ. Even the successful transplants require a lifetime of immunosuppression medications. These medications … Continue reading Making kidney transplants easier for kids and charting a new approach to fighting solid tumors.
chemotherapy
Smoking marijuana could be bad for your heart, but there is an unusual remedy
Smoking medical marijuana: Photo courtesy Elsa Olofsson Millions of Americans use marijuana for medical reasons, including easing anxiety or reducing side effects of cancer treatment. Millions more use it recreationally, saying it helps them relax. A new study now reports that regular marijuana smokers may increase their risk of heart disease and heart attack. Benefits … Continue reading Smoking marijuana could be bad for your heart, but there is an unusual remedy
Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery
A researcher prepares to study blood cells under a microscope. Photo by Getty. A recent discovery by stem cell scientists at Cedars-Sinai may help make cancer treatment more efficient and shorten the time it takes for people to recover from radiation and chemotherapy. Recovering from chemotherapy Published in the journal Nature Communications, the study by Dr. John … Continue reading Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery
A new approach to a deadly childhood cancer
Cancers of the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes—also called hematologic malignancies—are the most common cancers in children and young adults. Current treatments can be effective but often carry serious, sometimes life‑threatening risks. Now, Stanford researchers have developed a new approach, and the CIRM Board voted to support it in a clinical trial. The Board … Continue reading A new approach to a deadly childhood cancer
Retooling a COVID drug to boost its effectiveness
Coronavirus particles, illustration. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out scientists scrambled to find existing medications that might help counter the life-threatening elements of the virus. One of the first medications that showed real promise was remdesivir. It’s an anti-viral drug that was originally developed to target novel, emerging viruses, viruses like COVID19. It was approved … Continue reading Retooling a COVID drug to boost its effectiveness
Paving the Way in Treating Myelodysplastic Syndromes
CIRM just helped reach a major milestone in treating myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a rare disorder that affects red blood cell production. Positive early results Jasper Therapeutics announced new data from their Phase 1 clinical trial treating people with MDS. This group of disorders involves abnormal, immature blood‑forming cells in the bone marrow, leading to low … Continue reading Paving the Way in Treating Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Byron’s story
Bryon Jenkin’s is one of the people we profiled in our recent 18 Month Report. The theme of the report is “Perseverance” and Byron certainly epitomizes that. This is his story. Photo of Byron Jenkins - hand on the plane - in his Navy fighter pilot days A former Navy flight officer and accomplished athlete … Continue reading Byron’s story
Stem cell progress and promise in fighting leukemia
Computer illustration of a cancerous white blood cell in leukemia. There is nothing you can do to prevent or reduce your risk of leukemia. That’s not a very reassuring statement considering that this year alone almost 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed with leukemia; almost 23,000 will die from the disease. That’s why CIRM is funding … Continue reading Stem cell progress and promise in fighting leukemia
Antibody effective in cure for rare blood disorders
3D illustration of an antibody binding to a designated target. Illustration created by Audra Geras. A variety of diseases can be traced to a simple root cause: problems in the bone marrow. The bone marrow contains specialized stem cells known as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that give rise to different types of blood cells. As … Continue reading Antibody effective in cure for rare blood disorders
New hope for stem cell therapy in patients with leukemia
Of the many different kinds of cancer that affect humans, leukemia is the most common in young people. As with many types cancer, doctors mostly turn to chemotherapy to treat patients. Chemotherapy, however, comes with its own share of issues, primarily severe side effects and the constant threat of disease recurrence. Stem cell therapy treatment … Continue reading New hope for stem cell therapy in patients with leukemia