Blood/Vascular/Respiratory System
- Aug. 6, 2012 - Israeli company Pluristem announced that it successfully treated the bone marrow failure of a woman using stem cells from placentas. The woman had an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant after undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma.
- Nov. 11, 2011 - The Food and Drug Administration has given first-time approval for a product that uses umbilical cord blood stem cells to treat patients with blood cancers and immune system disorders. Numerous experiments have previously shown promise in helping patients suffering from many diseases.
- Sept. 1, 2011 - The first human patient has received a blood transfusion created using the patient's own adult stem cells. The lab-grown blood survived about as long as natural blood cells in the patient. Creating blood from stem cells may help with blood donation shortages.
- Oct. 14, 2010 - Duke University doctors have treated a patient suffering from peripheral artery disease in his leg using stem cells from placentas. Placentas and umbilical cord blood are usually discarded as medical waste after birth.
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Dec. 9, 2009 - Reuters reported that National Institutes of Health researchers cured sickle cell disease in 9 out of 10 patients using adult stem cells from the bone marrow of the patients' siblings.
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Apr. 5, 2009 - The Charleston Post & Courier reported a study showing that bone marrow stem cells can treat limb ischemia. Doctors successfully healed a man with poor circulation in his foot caused by diabetes, saving the foot from amputation.
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Nov. 27, 2008 - Biotechnology firm Regenocyte Therapeutic claimed their study showed promise in treating pulmonary hypertension with adult stem cells. Researchers used the adult stem cells from the patients' own blood to grow new blood vessels and reduce the high blood pressure affecting their lungs.
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May 11, 2008 - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram featured a story on how a young man’s adult stem cells were used to treat his tissue decay, which he was suffering due to meningitis. Doctors believe this treatment saved his arms and legs and they’re hoping it will also save his hands and feet.