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]

Hi Ian,

My thoughts too, at first. But then if there is a genetic factor

and an environmental trigger, no telling when the trigger was pulled. If I’m attacking

my own liver, I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. Probably 6 of

one….

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Ian Cribb

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 4:40 PM

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Ian,

My thoughts too, at first. But then if there is a genetic factor

and an environmental trigger, no telling when the trigger was pulled. If I’m attacking

my own liver, I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. Probably 6 of

one….

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Ian Cribb

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 4:40 PM

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Ian,

My thoughts too, at first. But then if there is a genetic factor

and an environmental trigger, no telling when the trigger was pulled. If I’m attacking

my own liver, I’d just as soon not give myself my own liver back. Probably 6 of

one….

Nita

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Ian Cribb

Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 4:40 PM

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