Dr. Luis Geffner presented a preliminary report on September 17 at the 2007 Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego. From May 2006 to August 2007, 38 patients with SCI were treated at Luis Vernaza Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Of 25 patients who provided between three and 14 months follow up, 15 gained the ability to stand up, 10 could walk on the parallels with braces, seven were able to walk without braces and five could walk with crutches. No harmful reactions to implantation were observed.

“Ongoing studies will help us clarify the benefits and any possible detriments to this approach, but so far this study demonstrates that bone marrow stem cells are safe for spinal cord injury patients,” said Geffner, Director of the Stem Cells program at the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil.

“By implanting an adult’s own bone marrow stem cells, we’ve seen significant improvements in the quality of life for those who suffer from spinal cord injuries. In addition, we are learning valuable information that will eventually help us apply other adult cells for spinal cord injury such as reprogrammed adult germ cells,” said Francisco Silva, executive vice president of research and development for PrimeCell Therapeutics. “We’re encouraged by the results. This approach may be useful for patients who cannot be treated by conventional medicine.”

Read more at Medical News Today online.

Insulin helps the body control blood sugar levels. Patients with type 1 diabetes need insulin because their immune systems destroy cells that produce it.

The study was presented at the 2007 annual conference of the American Diabetes Association in Chicago. The researchers explained that they are optimistic about the results but still have a lot to learn about the effects of stem cell therapy on diabetes. Dr. Haller said explained that while the team is pleased with the results, they have not found a cure for juvenile diabetes.