Update on TriStem

From: Marlene
Date: 05 Nov 2004
Time: 09:41:13 -0500
Remote Name: 66.44.89.236

Comments

I don't know how many of you remember the work TriStem was doing about one year ago on cell retrodifferentiation, but they did a small clinical trial with some AA patients and were successful with repopulating stem cells. So I emailed them and here's their response. You may want to check out their website also. Dear Marlene, TriStem has recently carried out a safety clinical study in aplastic anemia patients using the patient‚s own white blood cells as a starting material. The white blood cells of these patients were retrodifferentiated (converted) into haematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells within 2 and a half hour using the TriStem's propriety technology. Subsequently, the retrodifferentiated stem cells were re-infused into patients to assess safety and repopulation capabilities without administration of any immunosuppressive therapy or other forms of conditioning regimens. So far, in this study the following conclusion can drawn. For further information you an visit our web site listed below 1) The retrodifferentiated stem cells are safe and did not cause any side effects. 2) The retrodifferentiated stem cells were able to engraft and repopulate the bone marrow of aplastic anemia patients resulting in a rapid replenishment of neutrophils, platelets and red blood cells 3) The retrodifferentiated stem cells were able to give rise to fetal hemoglobin expressing red blood cells. This hemoglobin variant is important in ameliorating diseases such sickle cell anemia and some forms of thalasimmia 4) Transfusion independence in some patients following infusion of retrodifferentiated was achieved It remains to be seen whether these patients requires a second re-infusion of autologous stem cells with or without administration of immunosuppressive therapies. As with regards to using the retrodifferentiated stem cells in treating other disease requires other proof of principle clinical studies. Theoretically this should be more straightforward since the safety of administering antilogous retrodifferentiated stem cell has been established. The retrodifferentiated stem cells will be used to treat a specific disorder once the clinical study for the specific conditions is complete and the relevant regulatory bodies approves of it (this varies from one country to another). I hope the above is helpful. Dr. Ilham Saleh Abuljadayel Chief Scientific Officer TriStem Corporation Limited Website: www.tristemcorp.com <http://www.tristemcorp.com/>