Harvesting stem cells

[Guest guest]

Zavie, I agree with , I heard some time ago that they no longer (or hardly

ever) store stem cells because of all the drugs that are available and the cost

of storing the cells. When we met Bob & Dawn at MDACC, he was there to harvest

his stem cells.

Why would they want to store the stem cells if they had not separated them to

remove the residuals before storing? I would think that we be a given. I think

if I spent that kind of money, I would want this done. This is quite expensive,

as you pay a yearly fee for storage. I believe based on what I have read in the

past, that the initial cost to process the blood is between $1800 and $2000.

Annual storage fees for each sample is about $125. The average person plans to

store the blood for approximately 20 years.

Dr. Schneider of Stanford University is a climatologist and professor in

the Department of Biological Sciences, at the Institute for International

Studies, and Professor by Courtesy in the Department of Civil and Environmental

Engineering. I read his book " PATIENT FROM HELL " (the title attracted my

attention. LOL), wherein he recounted the problems he had getting a BMT for

lymphoma. He argued with his doctor and anyone who would listen to him that his

blood should be cleansed before getting a transplant from his own stem cells, in

the event that there was a rogue that remained behind and it could develop into

a full blown lymphoma again. They did not do it as hard as he fought for it,

but as soon as he was able, he traveled to Italy and met with the best CML

specialists there and finally found a doctor who agreed with him. He was trying

to prove he was right. What angered him so much was that this was done at the

university where he taught. His doctor was a woman and when I told this story

to Lea on, she said she saw her name on the door every time she went there

for an appointment. His story popped into my mind when you posed the question

to Zavie, . It is a darn good book for anyone to read, you don't have to

have lymphoma or expect to get a BMT, it's about his tenacity and how he will

willing to fight anyone. I'm not a doctor or scientist, but I was plugging for

him throughout the whole book. He said he will now worry for the rest of his

life if he is " safe " from the clutches of lymphoma.

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For our newcomers this is some info on harvesting stem cells:

" (ChattahBox) — We spoke with Robin , MD, CEO of NeoStem, as part our

series on stem cell harvesting and storage series started here, to find out more

about what NeoStem does. First a quick intro on the company. NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE

Alternext US: NBS), is a pioneer in the pre-disease collection, processing and

long-term storage of adult stem cells for future medical need. The Company has

also recently entered into research and development through the acquisition of a

worldwide exclusive license to technology to identify and isolate VSELs (very

small embryonic-like stem cells), which have been shown to have several physical

characteristics that are generally found in embryonic stem cells.

" Once collected, the cells are processed, separating the desired cells from the

collected product. They are then placed in storage containers, slowly cooled and

eventually placed in a liquid nitrogen tank at a select processing and storage

laboratory facility where they are safely stored for your future use. "

http://chattahbox.com/science/2009/03/08/stem-cell-harvesting-and-storage-series\

-neostem-inc/

" Systems and methods are described that are used to separate cells from a wide

variety of tissues. In particular, automated systems and methods are described

that separate regenerative cells, e.g., stem and/or progenitor cells, from

adipose tissue. The systems and methods described herein provide rapid and

reliable methods of separating and concentrating regenerative cells suitable for

re-infusion into a subject. "

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7514075.html

I hope this has helped with the questions.

Carpe Diem,

Lottie Duthu