Stem Cell Therapies Show Hope for People With
Cancer, Muscular Dystrophy and Arthritis
ARLINGTON, Va., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The use of adult stem cells
promises to grow as the controversy over the use of human embryonic stem cells
remains a hotbed political, ethical and religious issue. At the upcoming 2005
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists' (AAPS) National
Biotechnology Conference in San Francisco, embryonic and adult-derived stem
cells will take center stage as the nation's leading scientists discuss how
their research can be immediately applied to create therapies for cancer,
muscular dystrophy, arthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, cystic fibrosis,
and bone injuries. As the nation continues to debate the ethics and efficacy
of using human embryonic stem cells, scientists will demonstrate how the use
of adult stem cells has opened the door to groundbreaking therapies including
the use of muscle stem cells for arthritis and umbilical cord blood for
leukemia.
"Since the first bone marrow transplant was carried out more than 30 years
ago, non-embryonic stem cells have been used effectively to benefit and save
thousands of lives," said Gary S. Friedman, M.D., F.A.C.P., director of the
Center for Regenerative Medicine in Morristown, New Jersey. "While embryonic
stem cells are a source of controversy and uncertainty, adult-derived stem
cells are already being used to successfully treat cancer, anemia and
connective tissue diseases."
The application of non-embryonic stem cells will be highlighted as Johnny
Huard, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reveals that
his team has recently discovered a unique population of muscle-derived stem
cells that offer the potential of regenerating tissue. The discovery of these
cells will benefit patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, arthritis, and
joint injuries.
"Transplant of muscle-derived stem cells has improved the efficiency of
dystrophic muscle regeneration," said Dr. Huard. "We are excited to continue
testing this technology and hopefully improve the lives of people with damaged
or diseased tissues."
The use of non-embryonic stem cells will also be the focus as Philip A.
Lowry, M.D., associate professor of Hematology and Oncology at the University
of Massachusetts, discusses the use of umbilical cord blood to treat leukemia.
While bone marrow transplant has been a common treatment of leukemia for
almost four decades, Dr. Lowry will present how transplanting umbilical cord
blood can offer the same benefits with greater access and availability.
"New types of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine can potentially
provide treatments for a wider variety of diseases than traditional bone
marrow and organ transplantation methods," said Dr. Lowry. "The major
challenge we're facing today is the availability of viable cell sources we
could use to fully research these possibilities."
"We're making enormous progress with stem cells," said David V. Schaffer,
Ph.D., associate professor of Chemical Engineering and Neuroscience at
University of California at Berkeley. "While there are still issues to
overcome, non-embryonic stem cells are already yielding results that can
impact thousands of lives in the relatively near future."
The AAPS National Biotechnology Conference is an annual event that
incorporates all aspects of the pharmaceutical sciences and provides an open
forum for discussion of hot industry topics. The conference will take place at
the San Francisco Marriott, June 5 - 8.
Stem Cells Take Center Stage on Monday, June 6, 2005
* David V. Schaffer, Ph.D., will moderate the symposium, "Embryonic and
Adult Stem Cell Therapies" 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT in the Yerba Buena Salon 8.
* Johnny Huard, Ph.D., will reveal the results of his research on muscle-
derived stem cells during the "Embryonic and Adult Stem Cell Therapies"
symposium 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT in the Yerba Buena Salon 8.
* Gary S. Friedman, M.D., F.A.C.P., will moderate a roundtable discussion,
"Regenerative Medicine: Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cells" 3:45 pm - 5:15
pm PDT in the Yerba Buena Salon 8.
* Philip A. Lowry, Ph.D., will speak on the use of umbilical cord blood in
the treatment of cancer during the "Regenerative Medicine: Alternatives to
Stem Cells" roundtable 3:45 pm - 5:15 pm PDT in the Yerba Buena Salon 8.
About AAPS
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is a
professional, scientific society of more than 12,000 members employed in
academia, industry, government and other research institutes worldwide.
Founded in 1986, AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange
of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to health. AAPS
offers timely scientific programs, on-going education, information resources,
and opportunities for networking and professional development. For more
information about AAPS, visit us at http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com .
SOURCE American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists
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http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/nationalbiotech/index.asp
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CONTACT:
Jim Greif of AAPS, +1-415-284-9011,
greifj@aaps.org; or Media, Stephanie Lamenta of GolinHarris,
+1-305-572-2151, or slamenta@golinharris.com, for AAPS
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