Stem Cells for Diabetes: Scientific Presentations Announced

Encouraging news emerges about treating diabetes with adult stem cells.

Opexa Therapeutics announced that it will deliver two scientific presentations in June on progress of development of monocyte-derived pancreatic islet cells for diabetes.

Opexa Reports First Quarter 2007 Results

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2007 - Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA), a company involved in the development and commercialization of cell therapies, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and provided an update on its progress.

Highlights of the first quarter of 2007 and recent weeks include:

-- Positive top-line data from Phase I/II dose escalation trial with Tovaxin(TM) for multiple sclerosis

-- Opexa announces two scientific presentations to be delivered in June on progress of development of monocyte-derived pancreatic islet cells for diabetes

Full story

Adult Stem Cells Role in Treating Diabetes - Effective or Not?

"Adult stem cells play no role in insulin production" vs. "Adult stem cells may treat diabetes"

A recently published an online article from Medical Research News quoted Dr. Jake Kushner, "...we found no evidence for adult stem cells that give rise to beta cells or other pancreatic cell tissues...". Apparently, from the title and description of the article, adult stem cells were, "...nowhere to be found." (in mice)

Compare this study with one from Tulane biochemist, Darwin Prockup, MD, PhD, who directs the University's Center for Gene Therapy. Fox news online reported that this study showed, "...two injections of adult stem cells derived from human bone marrow...turned up in the mice's pancreas, which makes insulin". "It's possible, but not yet certain, that stem cell shots could boost insulin production and help fix damaged tissue in people with diabetes, according to Prockup's team."

You be the judge!

Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes

Welcome to Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes.

This blog is dedicated to to highlighting the latest news regarding Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes type I and type II. It will also feature periodic stories from diabetes patients who've been treated with stem cells. Informed comments are welcome.

I'd like to thank the XCell Center in Cologne, Germany for its kind sponsorship. The XCell Center currently offers autologous adult stem cell therapy for diabetes type I and II patients. Additionally, the XCell Center has treated numerous patients who suffer from stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological diseases.

Let's kick things off with a "Ray of Hope". This treatment seems to be quite promising. However, I've been told by a reliable source that it is only effective on patients who've been very recently diagnosed with diabetes I. Perhaps someone "in-the-know" might wish to comment?

Stem Cell Therapy - A Ray of Hope for Diabetics and Researchers

	NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Delhi, New Delhi, India, 04/25/2007 - Results of stem cell therapy given to teenagers and young adults suffering from Type-1 diabetes have instilled a new hope among researchers as well as patients.
	The results of the stem cell therapy given to teenagers and young adults suffering from Type-1 diabetes were described to be “very encouraging” by the two researchers - Richard Burt of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, and University of Sao Paulo’s Julio Voltarelli. The patients, on whom the test was done, could discontinue taking insulin following the successful knock out of their malfunctioning immune systems. The treatment also reconstructed them from their own stem cells. Just after giving an injection of stem cells, a large number of patients did not feel the need to take another insulin injection, as the effect of the first injection lasted from one to 35 months. Often, this type of diabetes (Type-1) is diagnosed in young adults or children. It’s a gene linked disorder which affects approximately1.4 million Americans, as per the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Even if controlled by taking insulin injections daily, Type-1 diabetes may result in complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, limbs’ amputation, and circulation problems. A treatment of Type-1 diabetes, which doesn’t require multiple injections of insulin to be pricked everyday, is sure to offer a hope of a nearly needle free life for people suffering from this fatal and incapacitating disease. The multi billion-dollar market of insulin can also be severely impacted by the successful stem cell treatment – a market wherein a barrage of various treatment revolutions either have or may continue to remain lackluster. For example, Exubera – the world’s 1st and perhaps only inhaled insulin product developed by Pfizer – was once seen as a potential breakthrough drug. Sales of Exubera however have been particularly disappointing for pharmaceutical giant. RNCOS report “New Developments in Insulin Delivery System (2006)” notifies, “Current ambiance in insulin market comprises of strong marketing plus clinical support in favor of the newly launched products. Drug delivery products’ sales will likely increase by 100% in the coming five years, since technologies being researched & developed currently will attain fruition and get commercialized by that time. Presently, special drug delivery technology’s market value is US$ 50 Billion per year, i.e. 12.5% of global pharmaceutical sales.” This research report “New Developments in Insulin Delivery System (2006)” helps clients in analyzing the opportunities critical to the growth of Insulin Delivery Systems in the World. The report addresses some interesting issues for today’s Global business environment, such as evaluation of current market trends, discussion about the leading edge technologies, scope of the major insulin delivery systems all over the world, analysis of various challenges and opportunities before the industry, etc. About RNCOS E-Services Pvt Ltd. RNCOS, incorporated in the year 2002, is an industry research firm. It has a team of industry experts who analyze data collected from credible sources. They provide industry insights and analysis that helps corporations to take timely and accurate business decision in today's globally competitive environment.