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Author	Topic: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/19/07 12:40am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Malc, thank you for everything. I read your private message today in the morning, and I wanted to say that I feel the same about you. -----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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Vaderize03 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 9/19/07 6:12am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	I'm sorry I haven't contributed more to this discussion, it's just been crazy at work and at home. The therapies are very promising, and I don't have much to add from what malkie had to tell you. I talked to a GI physician where I work who trained at Hopkins, and he said that they have been bantering this idea around for awhile, but it hasn't really gone anywhere yet there. More money seems to be going towards embryonic and cord blood stem cells as they have better pluripotential and are genetically younger and "fresher" than adult cells. More later. Peace, V-03 -----signature----- "Bring your pretty face to my axe....." B-O-H-I-C-A !! (that was funny DM!) "I'm what Willis was talking about"
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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/19/07 6:47am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells - Date Edited: 9/19/07 7:09am (1 edits total) Edited By: Sherylin
	Vaderize03 posted: I'm sorry I haven't contributed more to this discussion, it's just been crazy at work and at home. Don't be sorry. Take your time, we're in no hurry (I guess). I'm grateful and glad to hear from you. It's a complicated matter, inflammatory bowel disease, you know. Here in Russia few doctors know what it is, and how to treat patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. I hope all will be well at your work, and at home, too. I hope your child is well (I heard you became a father ). Vaderize03 posted: The therapies are very promising, and I don't have much to add from what malkie had to tell you. You know, I start to think that he is genious. Malcolm knows some mysterious way to get the necessary information, and I think he is a miracle. Vaderize03 posted: I talked to a GI physician where I work who trained at Hopkins, and he said that they have been bantering this idea around for awhile, but it hasn't really gone anywhere yet there. More money seems to be going towards embryonic and cord blood stem cells as they have better pluripotential and are genetically younger and "fresher" than adult cells. I have no idea what "Hopkins" is. May be you could enlighten me, if you have time and patience for it. I guess Prochymal (the drug that Osiris Therapeutics is investigating) is based on adult cord blood cells taken from adult donors. I wonder how do they get the embryonic stem cells. Do they really use material after abortions in USA, or do they take it from afterbirth placenta material (left-iver umbilical cord and such)? Vaderize03 posted: More later. Thank you, J, my friend. See you around. Yours, ~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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malkieD2 Title: EuroMod™-JCC - FFUK-RSA Emeritus Registered: Jun '02	Date Posted: 9/19/07 7:26am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	I assume the "Hopkins" he is referring to is "Johns Hopkins", which is a medical facility in Baltimore, MD in the USA. It's a top notch medical and medical research centre with significant expertise in a number of areas -----signature----- HBOF 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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Vaderize03 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 9/19/07 8:23am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Yeah, I was referring to Hopkins. It's generally at the top of research in almost every field in American medicine. Has your friend tried Remicade? I've had Crohn's for 22 years and it stopped my last relapse cold. The biologicals are miracle drugs, IMHO, when they work, although they can stop working and are not without side effects. There has been debate now over immunosuppressive therapy in the US; for example, many patients are started on remicade with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine to prevent rejection of the remicade molecule, which is in part made from murine (mouse) proteins. However, many leading authorities now advocate drawing down AZA or 6-MP after six months, because the drug is known to be mutagenic. I have been in this debate with my physician for several months, who feels that it should be kept on since it has helped maintain my remission. However, as a 32-year old man, I worry a great deal about the cancer risk, which is 3-4 x/yr (relative, not absolute) in people taking these drugs. Increased incidences of leukemia/lymphoma have been reported. More later , glad to be of help. Peace, V-03 -----signature----- "Bring your pretty face to my axe....." B-O-H-I-C-A !! (that was funny DM!) "I'm what Willis was talking about"
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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/19/07 9:52am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Thank you! Well, since you are both so sweet and so kind to me, I shall dare and ask more questions! I hope I am not taking too much of your time, but here's what I need to know. 1. Is this medical centre in Baltimore, USA, that you call "Hopkins" a hospital for grown-ups only? Do they treat children there? How old is the youngest patient that they can invite for treatment? Is there a link to take a look at prices for the treatment in the Hopkins medical centre? 2. J, I need to ask you more questions about Remicade. If a person has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, here in Russia doctors always tell to keep strict diet: no diary products or fresh fruits/vegetables allowed, and there are other strict rules for eating. Can you tell me, after the Remicade treatment is it still necessary to keep such diet very strictly? Or does the Remicade help to heal the colon entirely, and it becomes possible to digest ordinary food (milk, fresh apples, oranges, tomatoes, and many other healthy products that the doctors never allow me to give to my little son)? I'm not asking of curiousity, I need to know, if the treatment in USA is the same as it is in Russian Federation, because if there is a place to go, to take my son for the treatment, which will help him at 100 % guarantee, I am ready to go to the moon or anywhere else. 3. Also, another question about Remicade, does the person still need mesalazine or prenizone, while and/or after he gets the ijections of Remicade? I understand that there are different people, different conditions, symptoms, and no patient is the same. But is there a possibility to come to a healthy condition when person with ulcerative colitis needs no pills, no drugs, no diet? Is there a record of such a miracle to happen? 4. Malcolm, I also have a question for you. As you live in European part of the globe (well, I'm sorry, if I am saying the wrong thing now, it is my russian geographical education, please, forgive me, dear), so as you live not that far from where I live, can you possible give me an advise if there is a good medical centre (at best, a medical centre as good as the Hopkins) somewhere in Europe - in country like Germany, Finland, France, Netherlands, or elsewhere? I am mostly interested in the medical centre for small children. If you could advise me a link to some website of such medical centre, it would be great. J, I trust you that Hopkins medical centre is the best. But I'm not sure if they treat small children there, and also the 12 hour airplane flight is no easy walk for a sick little boy. I know the airlines offer tickets for healhty children, but my son has never traveled anywhere far, and he is too weak to take him to USA right now, he needs special food and treatment. I know I'm a huge pile of problems, and I am sorry that I endlessly ask you my questions. But you are both so nice and so wonderful, I hope you will find time and try to reply to me. Thank you! Yours, ~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	Date Posted: 9/19/07 11:32am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Johns Hopkins is a college university that has one of the most prestigious medical research and teaching programs in the world. It has a hospital which regularly ranks in the top five in the United States, and for seventeen straight years has been ranked the country's top hospital by US News. Though not strictly a pediatric hospital, Hopkins does treat children. For a top-notch pediatric hospital in the US, Children's Hospital in Seattle is one of the best choices. I personally receive treatment from the Seattle-based Minor & James Hospital. Sherylin posted: I need to ask you more questions about Remicade. If a person has Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, here in Russia doctors always tell to keep strict diet: no diary products or fresh fruits/vegetables allowed, and there are other strict rules for eating. Can you tell me, after the Remicade treatment is it still necessary to keep such diet very strictly? Or does the Remicade help to heal the colon entirely, and it becomes possible to digest ordinary food (milk, fresh apples, oranges, tomatoes, and many other healthy products that the doctors never allow me to give to my little son)? I'm not asking of curiousity, I need to know, if the treatment in USA is the same as it is in Russian Federation, because if there is a place to go, to take my son for the treatment, which will help him at 100 % guarantee, I am ready to go to the moon or anywhere else. I've always been advised by my specialist that if it doesn't make you feel good, don't eat it. The only thing I've been told specifically to avoid is soft cheeses. Other than that, I have no dietary restrictions. Treatment varies from person to person, but I have found that my experience tends to be true with most patients on Remicade. What my doctors did is had me on an infusion of Remicade every seven weeks, as well as a daily dose of a drug called 6MP, which is one that Vaderize mentioned. I no longer take that particular drug (much for the same reason he mentioned), but in reality, I find that I don't really need it. The Remicade is doing the trick fine. Sadly, though, there is no way to give a full guarantee that this treatment will work. It is, however, a highly successful treatment that works in a vast majority of UC and Crohns patients. One of my childhood friends has Crohns, and he is on virtually an identical regiment that I am. He has had no dietary restrictions placed on him, provided he keeps in line with his treatment plans. In the US, as long as a hospital has an infusion clinic for arthritis and oncology use, chances are they can administer Remicade with a specialist approval. Sherylin posted: Also, another question about Remicade, does the person still need mesalazine or prenizone, while and/or after he gets the ijections of Remicade? I understand that there are different people, different conditions, symptoms, and no patient is the same. But is there a possibility to come to a healthy condition when person with ulcerative colitis needs no pills, no drugs, no diet? Is there a record of such a miracle to happen? You'll be quite happy to know that I've been off Prednizone and other steroid-based anti-inflammatory drugs for four years. Here in the US, Prednizone as a UC and Crohn's treatment is considered to be only a temporary solution. It is used strictly to reduce the inflammation and hold it back while a treatment plan is devised. The first year I was on Remicade I had to use Prednizone on occasion, but only because we were still dialing in what dosage/frequency of Remicade worked best. After we found a good routine, I didn't have to take the steroids any more. And Vaderize, keep harping on your doctor. I've been off the 6MP for two years and haven't had any ill-effects. -----signature----- Author of the Rise of a Rogue trilogy: http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/20721759/p1 Current WIP: Redemption of the Exiles: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24000186&brd=10477&start=24026104 Team fic w/ Inyri: X-Wing: Illusion
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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/19/07 12:56pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Vaderize03 posted: However, many leading authorities now advocate drawing down AZA or 6-MP after six months, because the drug is known to be mutagenic. I have been in this debate with my physician for several months, who feels that it should be kept on since it has helped maintain my remission. However, as a 32-year old man, I worry a great deal about the cancer risk, which is 3-4 x/yr (relative, not absolute) in people taking these drugs. Increased incidences of leukemia/lymphoma have been reported. J, this sounds scary. Is there a hope for you to minimize the dosage, or to cancel taking this course of treatment? Perhaps you could use only Remicade, without those mutagenic drugs. I don't know. Take care, my friend. I hope you can deal with it, since you're a doctor yourself, and you can talk to your physician using medical terms! Lane_Winree posted: Johns Hopkins is a college university that has one of the most prestigious medical research and teaching programs in the world. It has a hospital which regularly ranks in the top five in the United States, and for seventeen straight years has been ranked the country's top hospital by US News. Though not strictly a pediatric hospital, Hopkins does treat children. For a top-notch pediatric hospital in the US, Children's Hospital in Seattle is one of the best choices. I personally receive treatment from the Seattle-based Minor & James Hospital. Could you please find a link if there's a website for these medical centres? I am very interested, I would like to read more about these hospitals. Lane_Winree posted: I've always been advised by my specialist that if it doesn't make you feel good, don't eat it. The only thing I've been told specifically to avoid is soft cheeses. Other than that, I have no dietary restrictions. My son keeps strict diet, it was recommended by dietarian doctor, and the diet helps him to stay in remission. At least, the doctors keep saying so. I noticed that he has bad reaction on certain food: he can't eat carrots, he hates fruits, including bananas and apples. When he was two years old he ate bananas gladly, but today he says that his "stomach aches" and refuses to taste the fruits. Lane_Winree posted: You'll be quite happy to know that I've been off Prednizone and other steroid-based anti-inflammatory drugs for four years. I am quite happy indeed! I hope you'll be well and live a prosperous life of happy american man. ~Shery~ P.S. I am sorry for typing errors, spelling and grammar mistakes. I'm a little slow because it's nearly midnight here in Moscow, and my english is very slow in my head. -----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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Vaderize03 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 9/19/07 1:03pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells - Date Edited: 9/19/07 1:07pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Vaderize03
	The data are confusing. For example, the risk of lymphoma on remicade was studied extensively in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but did not occur more than would be expected in that population without remicade. Similar data exist for Crohn's. I will probably stop azathioprine after my next infusion, which is next Friday. I do not think that it got me into remission, although I am nervous about screwing up my entire therapy if I end up rejecting the remicade molecule. Authorities on the subject now state that the protective effect against this on Remicade only lasts about six months, and it has been two years for me. However, there is also safety data that shows azathioprine can be used for 4 years at the dose I am on without a problem, so I don't know. Conversely, there have been 6 case reports of a very rare form of cancer called hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma in pediatric patients (the oldest was 32) on that combination, with 5 fatalities. Most of the patients were in Canada, but it raises the question of the combination. Remicade seems to be better tolerated without immunosuppressives in regards to long-term risk, but again, the data are conflicting. By the way, Hopkins treats children, and one of the best pediatric hospitals on the planet, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is thirty minutes from my house. Peace, V-03 -----signature----- "Bring your pretty face to my axe....." B-O-H-I-C-A !! (that was funny DM!) "I'm what Willis was talking about"
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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/19/07 1:26pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	All the details about these medications are very confusing. I understand what you're telling me, because I checked the new words in Multitran (computer program for translating from english to russian and vice versa). But I can't give you any advise, because I know chemistry very poorly, and I don't know pharmaceutical language at all! Vaderize03 posted: By the way, Hopkins treats children, and one of the best pediatric hospitals on the planet, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is thirty minutes from my house. May I ask you a personal question, my dear friend? J, do you, by any chance, work as a doctor in this best pediatric hospital on the planet? Or (please, I hope you say "yes"), one of your neighbours, your life-long friend works in this hospital? Please? ~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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Vaderize03 Title: Manager Emeritus Registered: Oct '99	Date Posted: 9/20/07 11:24am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	No, I am not a pediatrician, but if you would like some information on CHOP, I could certainly steer you in that direction. They have a comprehensive website; do you have access to Google where you live? -----signature----- "Bring your pretty face to my axe....." B-O-H-I-C-A !! (that was funny DM!) "I'm what Willis was talking about"
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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 9/21/07 2:08am Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	Vaderize03 posted: No, I am not a pediatrician, but if you would like some information on CHOP, I could certainly steer you in that direction. They have a comprehensive website; do you have access to Google where you live? We have www.yandex.ru J, thank you so much for everything. You're amazing. I mean it. ~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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Sherylin Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 10/7/07 11:38pm Subject: RE: Investigational therapy with adult mesenchymal stem cells
	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. 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. I think I found something interesting. Here is the link to the article. New cancer drugs could help in autoimmune disease Vaderize03 posted: One of the best pediatric hospitals on the planet, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is thirty minutes from my house. Peace, V-03 The article is about Wayne Hancock of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, whose study appears in the journal Nature Medicine. I believe it's the same hospital that you mentioned, J.! Here's what the article is about: A new class of drugs used to treat cancer might be effective at suppressing overactive immune systems in patients with autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease, U.S. researchers said on Sunday. Wayne Hancock said drugs known as histone deacetylases inhibitors, or HDACs, which affect compounds involved in the growth and death of cancer cells, bolstered the production of cells that regulate the immune system in mice. In one study, the drug helped reverse and prevent inflammatory bowel disease. While many companies are working on HDACs, Hancock's study focused on the Merck & Co Inc drug Zolinza, also known by its chemical name suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, or SAHA. Zolinza is approved in the United States to treat cutaneous T cell lymphoma, a type of skin cancer. Hancock said SAHA appears to bolster the work of regulatory T-cells that suppress the immune system. "Their job is to act as police and dampen down inflammatory responses," he said. The study offers evidence that a drug could be used to enhance regulatory T-cell production and function. "That hadn't been done before," Hancock said. You can read more if you open the link that I placed above. Best wishes! ~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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