Re: Regenerative Medicine - The McGowan Institute @ The University of Pittsburgh

[Guest guest]

Janet,

 

From my reading of what the good doctor says, a regenerated liver would just get sick again. But I would be okay with that. If the new liver only gave me half as much time as the original, I would be a very old man before the second liver failed and no rejection drugs would be needed if the second liver was grown from my cells.

 

Ian (53!) PSC 89

 

 

Hi all. I am a lurker (for the most part) but I read the posts every day. I recently viewed the YouTube video regarding regenerating cells and was so excited that I contacted The McGowan Institute about it. While the response was not exactly what I was looking for, I did appreciate Dr. Fox's quick reply. I hope this does not depress anyone because that is not my reason for posting. I merely wanted to let all of you know that Dr. Fox told me.

===================================================================From: Ira Fox

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:35 PMTo: janjan1@...Subject: Regenerative Medicine

Dear Janet,Thank you for your e-mail. I appreciate your situation as I am both a stemcell scientist/clinician and have been a liver transplant surgeon for morethan 25 years. Unfortunately, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a disease of

the bile ducts that secondarily affects the liver cells, causing them tofail. While we could probably learn a great deal about PSC from growing stemcells derived from your skin and turning them into bile duct and liver

cells, re-growing a liver from your liver cells, were that even possible atthis time, would not resolve your personal situation. In the end, organtransplantation remains the treatment of choice for you as the risk of

developing a tumor in your bile ducts will remain a concern throughout yourlife.I'm sorry to inform you that this is really your best option, but, I'd liketo reassure you that whole liver transplantation in 2009 is a very

successful long-term treatment for PSC and the risks from the surgery andthe immune suppression used to control rejection has dramatically improvedover the years. I hope this e-mail addresses your question, and I wish you

good luck in finding that liver for transplantation.Best wishes,Ira J. Fox, MDProfessor of SurgeryDirector, Center for Innovative Regenerative TherapiesMcGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

-- Ian Cribb  P.Eng.cell:  (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com

[Guest guest]

From a quick lay read, that's what I come up with as well.Perhaps if the Mass General vancomycin study prove as successful for adults as as the Stanford pediatric study looks for kids, growing your own liver would give you a new start with a healthy liver (without the extra risks associated with immunosuppressant therapy) and the vanco could cure PSC (or at least put the PSC into remission) and keep the new one healthy.I'm not giving up hope, yet. , Mom to 18 yo daughter UC 6/95, PSC 3/09To: Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2009 5:40:03 PMSubject: Re: Regenerative Medicine - The McGowan Institute @ The University of Pittsburgh

Janet,

From my reading of what the good doctor says, a regenerated liver would just get sick again. But I would be okay with that. If the new liver only gave me half as much time as the original, I would be a very old man before the second liver failed and no rejection drugs would be needed if the second liver was grown from my cells.

Ian (53!) PSC 89

Hi all. I am a lurker (for the most part) but I read the posts every day. I recently viewed the YouTube video regarding regenerating cells and was so excited that I contacted The McGowan Institute about it. While the response was not exactly what I was looking for, I did appreciate Dr. Fox's quick reply. I hope this does not depress anyone because that is not my reason for posting. I merely wanted to let all of you know that Dr. Fox told me.

============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =From: Ira Fox [mailto:Ira.Fox (AT) chp (DOT) edu]

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:35 PMTo: janjan1 (AT) optonline (DOT) netSubject: Regenerative Medicine

Dear Janet,Thank you for your e-mail. I appreciate your situation as I am both a stemcell scientist/clinician and have been a liver transplant surgeon for morethan 25 years. Unfortunately, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a disease of

the bile ducts that secondarily affects the liver cells, causing them tofail. While we could probably learn a great deal about PSC from growing stemcells derived from your skin and turning them into bile duct and liver

cells, re-growing a liver from your liver cells, were that even possible atthis time, would not resolve your personal situation. In the end, organtransplantation remains the treatment of choice for you as the risk of

developing a tumor in your bile ducts will remain a concern throughout yourlife.I'm sorry to inform you that this is really your best option, but, I'd liketo reassure you that whole liver transplantation in 2009 is a very

successful long-term treatment for PSC and the risks from the surgery andthe immune suppression used to control rejection has dramatically improvedover the years. I hope this e-mail addresses your question, and I wish you

good luck in finding that liver for transplantation.Best wishes,Ira J. Fox, MDProfessor of SurgeryDirector, Center for Innovative Regenerative TherapiesMcGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

-- Ian Cribb P.Eng.cell: (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com

[Guest guest]

From a quick lay read, that's what I come up with as well.Perhaps if the Mass General vancomycin study prove as successful for adults as as the Stanford pediatric study looks for kids, growing your own liver would give you a new start with a healthy liver (without the extra risks associated with immunosuppressant therapy) and the vanco could cure PSC (or at least put the PSC into remission) and keep the new one healthy.I'm not giving up hope, yet. , Mom to 18 yo daughter UC 6/95, PSC 3/09To: Sent: Thursday, April 9, 2009 5:40:03 PMSubject: Re: Regenerative Medicine - The McGowan Institute @ The University of Pittsburgh

Janet,

From my reading of what the good doctor says, a regenerated liver would just get sick again. But I would be okay with that. If the new liver only gave me half as much time as the original, I would be a very old man before the second liver failed and no rejection drugs would be needed if the second liver was grown from my cells.

Ian (53!) PSC 89

Hi all. I am a lurker (for the most part) but I read the posts every day. I recently viewed the YouTube video regarding regenerating cells and was so excited that I contacted The McGowan Institute about it. While the response was not exactly what I was looking for, I did appreciate Dr. Fox's quick reply. I hope this does not depress anyone because that is not my reason for posting. I merely wanted to let all of you know that Dr. Fox told me.

============ ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =From: Ira Fox [mailto:Ira.Fox (AT) chp (DOT) edu]

Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2009 2:35 PMTo: janjan1 (AT) optonline (DOT) netSubject: Regenerative Medicine

Dear Janet,Thank you for your e-mail. I appreciate your situation as I am both a stemcell scientist/clinician and have been a liver transplant surgeon for morethan 25 years. Unfortunately, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis is a disease of

the bile ducts that secondarily affects the liver cells, causing them tofail. While we could probably learn a great deal about PSC from growing stemcells derived from your skin and turning them into bile duct and liver

cells, re-growing a liver from your liver cells, were that even possible atthis time, would not resolve your personal situation. In the end, organtransplantation remains the treatment of choice for you as the risk of

developing a tumor in your bile ducts will remain a concern throughout yourlife.I'm sorry to inform you that this is really your best option, but, I'd liketo reassure you that whole liver transplantation in 2009 is a very

successful long-term treatment for PSC and the risks from the surgery andthe immune suppression used to control rejection has dramatically improvedover the years. I hope this e-mail addresses your question, and I wish you

good luck in finding that liver for transplantation.Best wishes,Ira J. Fox, MDProfessor of SurgeryDirector, Center for Innovative Regenerative TherapiesMcGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

-- Ian Cribb P.Eng.cell: (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita,

 

If they had a good looking liver grown from my cells I think I would go for it!! , even though I don't need a liver transplant yet.  I would keep an eye on it, probably continue USRO (very low dose) and continue no alcohol, but offer myself as a first recipient in this exciting research.

 

Ian (53) PSC 89 

" I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. " -- Ian Cribb  P.Eng.

cell:  (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita,

 

If they had a good looking liver grown from my cells I think I would go for it!! , even though I don't need a liver transplant yet.  I would keep an eye on it, probably continue USRO (very low dose) and continue no alcohol, but offer myself as a first recipient in this exciting research.

 

Ian (53) PSC 89 

" I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. " -- Ian Cribb  P.Eng.

cell:  (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Anita,

 

If they had a good looking liver grown from my cells I think I would go for it!! , even though I don't need a liver transplant yet.  I would keep an eye on it, probably continue USRO (very low dose) and continue no alcohol, but offer myself as a first recipient in this exciting research.

 

Ian (53) PSC 89 

" I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. " -- Ian Cribb  P.Eng.

cell:  (6...Enefen - Reviewer/Designerwww.enefen.com