Mar 20, 2008 2:28 pm US/Eastern
Adult Stem Cells Offering Patients New Hope
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
There's been a lot of controversy over the use of embryonic stem cells in recent years, but adult stem cells, which few people oppose using, are already giving some patients a new lease on life.
Donald Reid is hoping adult stem cells will give him more time. "There's not many options left for me."
The 57-year-old has clogged arteries and heart disease so bad; he's not a candidate for surgery. Instead, he's joined an experimental study that involves a special machine. It's taking his blood and pulling out stem cells. We're not talking about stem cells from an embryo -- these are Donald's own adult stem cells.
In the coming days, doctors will inject them directly into Donald's heart with the hope it will regenerate and revitalize the damaged organ.
Adult stem cells have become standard therapy for treating several types of cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, but according to new research, this treatment is now starting to show real promise in treating other diseases.
A review of hundreds of trials found in some patients adult stem cells have stopped auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Some heart patients like Donald have also seen improvement. Weill Cornell's Michael Schuster is excited by the results but warns it's still early. "We don't know yet what the best technique is, we don't really know how much of a benefit the patients will have."
And when it comes to diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's: "I think we're still a few years away from knowing whether stem cells really turn out to be the answer."
Donald should have an answer much sooner. His wish... "To be like everyone else and not have to worry about that my heart might give out."
In the coming weeks, Donald will know if that wish came true.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments