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Author Topic: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/14/07 11:13pm Subject: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Guys, I have a very serious question for you. Someone I know has Crohn's disease, he is very seriously ill. He actually found an offer of stem cell treatment here in Moscow, but he doesn't trust the medial center. Here is the link to their website.
http://www.gemclinic.ru/english.php

He phoned that medical center, and he was told that the price for such treatment is about 34 thousand dollars. Also they told him that abroad the price for such treatment is over 120 thousand euro. Then our friends found some information about Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. Here is what we found http://www.osiris.com/clinical_trials_prochymal_crohns_phaseIII.php

In brief summary:
Prochymal™ Crohn's Disease Clinical Trial

This Phase III trial is currently enrolling patients.
The objective of the study is to establish the safety and durability of Prochymal in patients experiencing moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease who are refractory to steroid, immunosuppressant, and biologic therapy.

Trial Overview
Male and female patients between the ages of 18 and 70 years will be enrolled, and must have confirmed active Crohn’s disease. Patients must have non-obstructive ileitis, colitis, or ilecolitis and must be non-responsive to, or intolerant of, at least one steroid, one immunosuppressant, and one biologic.

he active ingredient of Prochymal, the investigational therapy in this study, is adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The cells in this product are from normal healthy adult volunteer donors, and are not derived from a fetus, embryo or animal. Studies have shown that these cells are universally compatible. Similar to Blood Type O, these MSCs may be used without tissue type matching for specific patients. Prochymal is produced in a controlled setting and is tested for possible infectious agents (such as viruses, bacteria, etc) before it is given by infusion into a vein.


As far as I read in the web they offer their services free of charge (=for no money).

Here is what I also read about this company

http://investor.osiris.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=215300


I need your help. I'm asking any person that knows about this Osiris Therapeutics, Inc, has heard anything about them to tell me what they think.

Vaderize, Malkie, Kimball K., if you read this, tell me, what do you think? Can we actually trust any of the two medical centers (russian or american)?

I hope to hear your answers. We need them.

Thank you for your time, and for being always very kind to your friends from Russia.

 

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"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
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Vaderize03 
Title: Manager Emeritus
 Registered: Oct '99
14744_Darth Vader
Date Posted: 9/16/07 5:53am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
I'll do some investigating for you.

Give me a day or two, I can ask some of the Gastrointestinal specialists that I work with.

Peace,

V-03

ps Sherilyn you weren't being rude to me in Senate discussions happy

 

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Septhaka 
Registered: Nov '06
42500_Coruscant Skyline
Date Posted: 9/16/07 6:57am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
http://www.osiristx.com/pdf/s%20Fast%20Track.pdf

 

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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/16/07 8:00am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Vaderize03 posted:

Give me a day or two, I can ask some of the Gastrointestinal specialists that I work with.


Thank you so much! You are a wondeful person! I'm serious.
I'll be waiting.

Septaka, thank you for the link. I'll read this, though it seems there are many medical apellations in it.

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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malkieD2 
Title: EuroMod™-JCC - FFUK-RSA Emeritus
 Registered: Jun '02
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 9/16/07 10:52am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
In response to your thread request, and the private message you sent to me, I'll do some internal digging here to find out what is known about this company. I'll also research into the technique and therapy you are referring to, and see if it is safe and effect or not. I'll do it at work tomorrow, and will post the response here.

 

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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/16/07 12:01pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
malkieD2 posted:
In response to your thread request, and the private message you sent to me, I'll do some internal digging here to find out what is known about this company. I'll also research into the technique and therapy you are referring to, and see if it is safe and effect or not. I'll do it at work tomorrow, and will post the response here.


Thank you so much! I always knew you are the right person to ask this question, you seem to know everything abour all the medications that exist nowdays, or at least able to find out if any opportunity to find out exists. I shall be waiting to hear all the information you'll be able to "dig out". You are very kind to me, really. Thank you, and if there is anything I can do for you, just let me know.

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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malkieD2 
Title: EuroMod™-JCC - FFUK-RSA Emeritus
 Registered: Jun '02
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 9/18/07 1:19am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I couldn't find time for the research I needed to do.
I've done a bit, but I still have more to do, however I felt you could do with a quick update on where I am, as I won't be able to do further research until Wednesday.

So, first things first, this Osiris Therapeutics is a real leader in stem cell therapy, and are focused on delivering antiinflammatory medication using "ethical" stem cells. Most of the successes I've seen personally have been with adult stem cells rather than embryonic stem cells, so you won't be upsetting the liberals by using this therapy.

They've been looking at a number of diseases, and some have shown to be far more effective than others, but as far as I can tell none of their trials have resulted in any adverse effects. Their trial for knee repair using stem cells didn't work particularly as well as expected, however their earlier trials with Prochymal has shown unbelieveable efficacy far more than I would expect from a 'traditional' small molecule drug trial. This stuff really, really looks effective on paper (>70% complete success rate), so I'd personally be very interested in a trial of this medication. It's been approved by the FDA, and the company are based in Baltimore, MD in the US, and I have no reason to doubt their abilities at all.

The only warning is that we don't (yet) fully understand the long term effects of stem cell treatment, but the only way to really understand this is some large trials with regular feedback.

ok, now for the bad news - I'm really, really struggling to be able to pass comment on the GemClinic in Russia, because all of the information I'm finding is in Russian sad (and as you well know, I can barely speak english, so I can hardly speak russian). However, in my continued research I'll see what I can find on my internal system at work - I'll post on wednesday.

Hope all is well

Malc

 

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There are only 10 types of people in this world; those who understand binary jokes, and those who don't.
If you don't already know, you'll never understand. If you already know, no explanation is needed - KW
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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/18/07 5:10am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
malkieD2 posted:

ok, now for the bad news - I'm really, really struggling to be able to pass comment on the GemClinic in Russia, because all of the information I'm finding is in Russian sad (and as you well know, I can barely speak english, so I can hardly speak russian). However, in my continued research I'll see what I can find on my internal system at work - I'll post on wednesday.

Hope all is well


Malc! hugs Thank you so much!!! kiss
I shall translate into russian all the information you gave me about Osiris Therapeutics, and immediately tell everything to my friend here in Russia. You are such a wonderful, kind, and generous person, I don't know how I am ever able to thank you enough!

I thought english was your native language, because you live in UK?

My son is feeling not bad. He is four years old now, he will be five in april next year. I can't say he is "very well", but everything is not bad at least. Probably, the american way of saying would be "no great things". The doctors keep saying that his diagnosis remains the same, non-specific ulcerative colitis. Not as awful as Crohn's disease, but nearly as bad. He is still in remission, but it's only medicamental remission. In simple words, my son feels well as long as he is taking his medication. He needs pentasa (mesalazine) every day, his dosage is the same 250 mg daily. He keeps strict diet, and eats only healthy food that doctor allows, no diary products, no fruits.
I am very tired of hospitals and doctors. But I love my son that much, that I can't give it up like this, that's why I keep trying. We have documents ready to go to the hospital next year, the doctors will do the colonoscopy again, and tell us if we need to change the course of medication.
I am saving money. I work, and try not to spend too much money, except on what is necessary for living. I hope I'll be able to take my son for the treatment abroad in the future, if it is necessary, and I guess I'll need plenty of money for that.

Malcolm, thank you again for everything *hugs and kisses*
You're the best.

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Kimball_Kinnison 
Registered: Oct '01
6249_Veers
Date Posted: 9/18/07 6:20am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells - Date Edited: 9/18/07 6:24am (1 edits total) Edited By: Kimball_Kinnison
Sherylin posted:
I thought english was your native language, because you live in UK?
You mean you didn't know that malkie is really a Gibber? His first language is Gibberish. tongue

It's really a very common language, but unfortunately there are so many different dialects that it's almost impossible to cleanly translate it.

Kimball Kinnison

EDIT: I wish I could be more help, but I really don't have the resources to get any more information than you've already provided.

 

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Why, Kimball... I didn't know you had it in you.- KW
I think that Kimball just made a joke, and a funny joke at that.- Raven
Stupidity got us into this mess, why can't it get us out?
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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/18/07 6:37am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Ah! Gibberish, why, of course, now I understand. thinking

KK, I hope you're not jealous, dear. wink

I know you're expert on history and politics, but my question is more about medicine and pharmaceutics. Besides, it's not a topic for some abstract discussion but sn entirely practical question, and I need it for the real person.

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Lane_Winree 
Registered: Mar '06
16508_Wedge Antilles
Date Posted: 9/18/07 7:41am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
I don't know about the procedure they're working on, but I do know about a treatment that does work for most patients.

I suffer from UC, sort of Crohns to a lesser degree. I've been on treatments of Remicade for about five years now, and I can honestly say it's the only thing that keeps me healthy from day to day. It isn't a cheap drug, but it definitely costs less than $34K. Remicade is an anti-inflammatory that was initially used to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. Research was done, and it showed that it could dramatically improve the lives of people suffering from IBS. It is so effective, in fact, it has become mainstream treatment for UC and Crohns patients in the US.

The drug is administered intravenously on a set timetable. For example, I receive the treatment every seven weeks. Typically the infusion takes two to three hours.

Sorry I couldn't help with the stem cell procedure you were looking into, but I thought I'd throw this out there for you.

 

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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/18/07 11:43am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Lane_Winree posted:
I suffer from UC, sort of Crohns to a lesser degree. I've been on treatments of Remicade for about five years now, and I can honestly say it's the only thing that keeps me healthy from day to day. It isn't a cheap drug, but it definitely costs less than $34K. Remicade is an anti-inflammatory that was initially used to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. Research was done, and it showed that it could dramatically improve the lives of people suffering from IBS. It is so effective, in fact, it has become mainstream treatment for UC and Crohns patients in the US.

The drug is administered intravenously on a set timetable. For example, I receive the treatment every seven weeks. Typically the infusion takes two to three hours.

Sorry I couldn't help with the stem cell procedure you were looking into, but I thought I'd throw this out there for you.


Lane_Winree, first of all, you don't have to be sorry for anything! My son has the same disease as you, ulcerative colitis. So, I sort of know what it is like to live with it. I hope you are feeling well now, and I wish you to get better. This is no place to discuss your disease and condition, of course. Best wishes, and blessings to you.

We have Remicade here in Moscow, too. A friend of mine, nice young lady, has a small son with Crohn's disease (he's even younger than my boy, he's about three years old now). So, her son suffers very badly. He needs prednizone, and this drug causes awful side effects. Her boy doesn't grow, his face looks ugly, and he has many problems with kidneys, liver, colon and else. Her son can't walk any more (he could walk and run and play before the aggravation). The doctors tried to give this boy the Remicade intravenously, but he has allergy to it, probably because he is too small. He had high temperature (fever), rash, sprinkle, asphixia. He nearly died because of Remicade. His mother is desperate and she doesn't know what to do.

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Lane_Winree 
Registered: Mar '06
16508_Wedge Antilles
Date Posted: 9/18/07 12:02pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
That's really a shame. Remicade packs one mighty punch of medication, so he's probably too young to handle it at this point.I know the FDA here in the US is taking a good hard look at some alternative treatments, namely a self injection that has less side-effects than Remicade. Hopefully someone can come up with an affordable and safe treatment.

Keep us posted on this subject, I'll be interested to see where it goes. Lord knows I would love to not have to go in for an infusion every seven weeks. I've got a family friend who specializes in Crohn's, so I'll prod him and see if he knows anything about this.

My best wishes to your son. Hang in there, a lot of people are performing fantastic research of UC and Crohns treatments. I have a feeling that within the next five years something is going to pop up that'll change the way it's treated.

 

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Sherylin 
Registered: Nov '05
6140_Padme
Date Posted: 9/18/07 1:25pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Lane_Winree posted:
I know the FDA here in the US is taking a good hard look at some alternative treatments, namely a self injection that has less side-effects than Remicade. Hopefully someone can come up with an affordable and safe treatment.


I am sorry, but english is not my native language. What do you mean to say? Are you talking about the research of new medication?

Lane_Winree posted:
Keep us posted on this subject, I'll be interested to see where it goes. Lord knows I would love to not have to go in for an infusion every seven weeks. I've got a family friend who specializes in Crohn's, so I'll prod him and see if he knows anything about this.


Of course, I'll do keep post here. I think I can give you another link.

http://www.alfetin.ru/index-e.html

Check this medication, it was developped in Russia, and they use it for patients with Crohn's disease. Unfortunately they have all the information in Russian, but you can see the picture of it, and search by title description in english. I wish I knew where to search though!

I talked to a girl who was close to death because of the inflammation of colon. The doctor wanted to remove her colon surgically, but she refused and there was no surgery. Instead, this girl bought Alfetin, she took her own risk, but the new medication helped her. I know that Alfetin is made from the feticidal material. The scientist take what remains from the fetus after abortion (the embryo of unborn baby), they get the stem cells and produce Alfetin. In fact, any person can buy Alfetin in drug store with no perscription here in Moscow at the price about 100 dollars per pack. I don't know the dosage, probably it's a pack daily for about a month. Alfetin is a new medication, and I'm not sure if it has been tested well enough. I'm afraid they only sell it to get money. Then there's the moral side of the problem. Personally I feel very uncomfortable because of the "abortions" part of production.

What do you think, guys?


Lane_Winree posted:
My best wishes to your son. Hang in there, a lot of people are performing fantastic research of UC and Crohns treatments. I have a feeling that within the next five years something is going to pop up that'll change the way it's treated.


Thank you so much, for good wishes, and for your kind words! I also hope for the future, and for the progress of science. I sometimes feel so tired and depressed, but hope never dies.

I hope you'll be well, Lane_Winree, wherever you are, in good health, peace and happiness.

~Shery~

 

-----signature-----
"Many that live deserve death. And some that die
deserve life. Can you give it to them?
Then do not be too eager to deal out death
in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see
all ends." - Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Lane_Winree 
Registered: Mar '06
16508_Wedge Antilles
Date Posted: 9/18/07 1:47pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Sorry for my lack of clarity x.x

But yes, a few firms in the US are looking into a few self-administered medications. A few have been released for treatments of rheumatoid arthritis, and now the FDA is investigating whether that same medication can help UC and Crohn's patients.

As for the Aleftin, I honestly don't know. I imagine that's a drug that won't see the light of day in the US anytime soon. Again, I'll chat with our family friend and see what information he can get me.

 

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Current WIP: Redemption of the Exiles: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24000186&brd=10477&start=24026104
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malkieD2 
Title: EuroMod™-JCC - FFUK-RSA Emeritus
 Registered: Jun '02
6241_R2-D2
Date Posted: 9/18/07 2:58pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Sherylin posted:
I thought english was your native language, because you live in UK?


My first language is english, I was merely making a joke about my poor grasp of what is supposed to be my first language!

I'm very glad to be of some help, and I do sincerely wish your son the best of health. I'll post more from work tomorrow happy

 

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There are only 10 types of people in this world; those who understand binary jokes, and those who don't.
If you don't already know, you'll never understand. If you already know, no explanation is needed - KW
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