stem cells repairing lung damage

[Guest guest]

A bit of news from Australia that may have huge benefits for cf in

the future. Something to hope for.

Regards peter

24aug03

A WORLD-FIRST breakthrough in stem-cell research promises

a cure for lung diseases that kill tens of thousands of

Australians -- and millions more around the world.

Melbourne scientists at the prestigious National Stem Cell

Centre have turned human embryonic stem cells into lung cells.

The revolutionary development is a step towards coaxing

damaged lungs to repair themselves.

The technique could yield cures for cystic fibrosis,

mesothelioma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and, eventually,

lung cancer.

Research leader Dr Mollard said the discovery was a

" big step forward " .

He said this was the first time lung cells had been successfully

grown.

Dr Mollard, 37, said although it was too soon to start human

clinical trails, early results were promising.

" It certainly looks like we are heading in the right direction, " he

said.

" What I can say is that this is an exciting step forward and the

potential has been realised. "

Lung diseases cost Australia more than $2 billion a year to treat

and kill tens of thousands of Australians every year.

The US spends $24 billion a year treating the diseases.

" Lung disease is highly under-estimated as a killer, " Dr Mollard

said.

There is no cure for cystic fibrosis. Nationally it costs $500

million a year to treat.

Dr Mollard said the breakthrough meant people with lung

diseases may be offered pioneering stem-cell therapy as a

treatment and potential cure within a few years.

But he said a cure for lung cancer would take longer.

" Lung cancer is a very different disease, " Dr Mollard said.

" However, eventually we may even be able to replace cells

damaged by cancer. "

Melbourne-born Dr Mollard was brought home two years ago by

Australia's stem-cell pioneer Professor Alan Trounson to work at

the Monash University-based centre.

He had been working in France and was about to accept a

research position in New York when Professor Trounson

recruited him.

He said was now one of the world leaders in stem-cell

science.

" The potential for stem-cell research to be an effective treatment

is huge. People have done experiments and have shown you

can re-activate spinal columns, " he said.

There was also some hope, he said, with pancreatic cells and

also cells introduced into hearts that have suffered a heart

attack.

Dr Mollard said he has had calls from Germany, Singapore,

France and the US from scientists wanting to know more about

his discovery.

" In the last three weeks there has been a real momentum, " he

said. " We are all excited. This is a big first step. "

Kerryn McIver, from Cystic Fibrosis , said the discovery

offers promise.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer Geoff Brown, 19, whose younger brother

Murray, 10, also has the condition, said the breakthrough was

very exciting.

" I think it's fantastic. I'm extremely impressed and hope this can

be used in the near future for my sake, my brother's sake and all

the other sick people, " he said.

" I live my life in hope that one day there will be a cure. "

Mr Brown, whose brother has been treated at Monash Medical

Centre for the past week, said the possibilities from stem-cell

research were endless.

" Stem-cell research is just great. I really think we will see more

progress and more breakthroughs in the next few years, " he

said.