Hooray for stem cells

[Sheldonrs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxy0bYkCTtE

[Lamplighter]

This report is in the Business section of the NY Times !
That seems strange to me, but maybe that's where the world thinks stem cell research should be.

The article is of interest to me for two other reasons:
one phase of my career was at the Oregon Health Sciences University
and involved yet another retinal disease (retinitis pigmentosa)
which is also a candidate for stem cell treatment.


2 Treatments for Retinas Make Gains
By ANDREW POLLACK
Published: November 22, 2010

In testing, an experimental drug being developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals,
when injected every eight weeks, proved as effective as the standard treatment,
Lucentis from Genentech, which was injected every four weeks.
The findings are from two clinical trials that Regeneron is expected to announce on Monday.

In a separate development, Advanced Cell Technology is expected to announce Monday
that it has won regulatory approval to test a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells
in people with Stargardt’s macular dystrophy, another retina disease.

This study appears to be a determination of "safety"

Embryonic cells can also form tumors if injected into the body. Dr. Robert Lanza,
chief scientist at Advanced Cell, said the company had to prove to the F.D.A. that its retinal cells
contained virtually no residual embryonic stem cells.
It took a year for the company to get clearance for the trial from the F.D.A.

Dr. Peter J. Francis, an associate professor at the Oregon Health and Science University,
which will be a site for the trial, says the eye is a good place to test stem cell therapy because it is accessible.
Also, he said, there is less chance of rejection of the implanted cells because the eye is shielded
somewhat from the body’s immune system.