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Stem Cell News
Adult Stem Cells Continue to Deliver Breakthroughs
Citizen Link, September 5, 2007
A new type of adult stem cell in blood vessels that
can be harvested from a patient has been discovered by
scientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center. A patient's disease or muscle injury could be
treated with these cells. There is no risk of immune
rejection since the stem cells are derived from the
patients themselves.
Individuals who are suffering from some types of
muscular dystrophy, various sports-related injuries,
and heart muscle damaged by heart attack could
potentially be treated say doctors.
Using adult stem cells harvested from patients'
bone marrow, replacement heart valves and other heart
tissue may be grown within the next three to five
years said leading British heart surgeon Magdi Yacoub.
With the drawback of tissue rejection and
replacement operations every 10 to 15 years,
artificial heart valves or those taken from pigs is
currently the only option for patients needing new
heart valves. Using a patient's own stem cells, the
growth of an entire replacement heart is the ultimate
vision Yacoub has in mind.
“Both of these stories show the continued value
of adult stem cells in research and in treating
patients,” said Dawn Vargo, associate analyst for
bioethics for Focus on the Family Action.
In contrast, no successful or safe therapies have
been produced with the use of embryonic stem cells.
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