Breathing easy thanks to stem cell use in transplant
Big news from Europe! Doctors have performed a successful windpipe transplant – and they did it by using the patient’s own stem cells.
Yes, these are the same kinds of stem cells that cause all that needless controversy here in the U.S. And if they can be used to put an end to the body’s rejection of transplanted organs, this is a medical breakthrough of epic proportions and proof that stem cells are indeed as world changing as has been speculated.
The trachea transplant was performed by doctors from European universities in June, and was the first time stem cells were used in a transplant involving an airway. Prior to this operation, no one thought such a major transplant would be possible. For the procedure to be a complete success, the stem cells will adapt and transform themselves into the cells that help clear mucus from the windpipe – just like the cells that normally line the inside of the trachea.
Professor Paolo Macchiarini of the University of Barcelona who performed the operation said he was “terribly excited” by the results. “Just four days after transplantation the graft was almost indistinguishable from adjacent normal bronchi,” he said.
This is the magic of stem cells at work. What makes stem cells unique is that they are not specialized; this means that they are the root or “stem” form of the cell, and can grow and develop to become ANY type of cell in your body. A stem cell could be developed into heart tissue, liver tissue – even brain tissue.
The stem cells didn’t come from an unborn human embryo; they came from the recipient patient’s very own bone marrow. Marrow cells have the same transformative powers as the controversial embryonic cells, but are completely devoid of all the ethical and religious issues.
It’s still too early to tell whether this particular use of stem cells will be the answer for all those who suffer from diseased or damaged tracheas. But so far, the results are incredibly promising.
The news of this operation comes at a time when stem cells are very much on my mind: I wrote a big story about stem cells that will appear in the January 2009 edition of my newsletter. It’s fascinating stuff, and the news of this latest success underscores the point I make in the article: that stem cells are the wave of the future.
If you’re a Douglass Report subscriber, your January issue should be arriving any day now. If you’re not a subscriber, click here now.
Tip for older cancer survivors: stay home
If you’re an elderly cancer survivor, here’s some advice that could help you recover more quickly: stay home. A new study out of Texas has revealed that cancer survivors over the age of 65 restore their health and ability to function more quickly when they’re part of a home-based recovery program.
The study found that elderly cancer patients showed improvements in physical ability and lost weight and body mass when they were on a tailored program of diet and exercise. The regimen was printed out, and patients were counseled on their progress over the phone.
According to Wendy Denmark-Wahnefried, one of the researchers on the study, “Younger cancer patients are usually able to bounce back, but older patients may need a structured program to stop functional decline and retain independence.”
Cancer can be physically devastating, especially at the later stages of life. But this study proves that for survivors there’s a realistic hope of helping your life return to normal. And you can do it from the comfort of your home.
