International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB: ISCO) announces today successful completion of the first series of preclinical studies designed to support the safety and utility of neuronal cells derived from human parthenogenetic stem cell line (hpSC). These initial experiments, demonstrating that the derived neuronal cells were able to survive in mice brains without giving rise to tumors, represent a key milestone towards possible therapeutic applications including treating Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Albrecht Müller, Professor at the Institute of Medical Radiology and Cell Research, Würzburg University (Germany), commented: "Human parthenogenetic stem cells are potentially very promising candidates for use in regenerative medicine primarily because of the possibility that they immune-match a large number of recipients. The result of these safety and survival studies is a very important step along the path towards the clinical use of such cells."
Although most cases of Parkinson's disease occur in people with no family history of the disease, a number of genetic mutations have nevertheless been identified with the disease. While the inheritance pattern is largely unknown, as a condition with a genetic component "autologous" treatment, that is to say treatment using the patient's own cells, is far from ideal and does not offer the potential of a cure. To treat Parkinson's disease successfully a source of cells free of the mutated genes is necessary. Human parthenogenetic stem cells provide this source, as well as superior immune-matching capabilities.
ISCO currently has the world's largest collection of human parthenogenetic stem cells including heterozygous examples, where the cells immune match the donor as is the case with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), and homozygous examples which immune-match millions of individuals. ISCO is actively expanding this collection of cell lines and creating a "bank" of homozygous human parthenogenetic stem cells that can be used as a platform to not only reduce the chances of tissue rejection, but also make cellular-based therapies economically more viable.
Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, ISCO's Vice President, commented: "One of ISCO's main therapeutic targets is treatment of Parkinson's disease, a common neurodegenerative disease in the US, where the current standard of care is designed mostly to treat the symptoms, but not the disease. These results clearly represent an important step towards the therapeutic application of human parthenogenetic stem cells derived cells in addressing the basic underlying mechanisms and potentially transforming the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases."
About International Stem Cell Corporation
International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background. This offers the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCellTM. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology, and cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. More information is available at www.internationalstemcell.com
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Forward-looking Statements
Statements pertaining to anticipated developments, research and development goals and related potential therapeutic treatments, the potential benefits of products, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward- looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates,") should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products and the management of collaborations, regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update forward-looking statements.
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, co -Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
Or:
Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, Vice President
760-940-6383
ras@intlstemcell.com
Or:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Don Markley
310-691-7100
dmarkley@lhai.com
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
International Stem Cell's Research Scientists Successfully Completed the First Series of Preclinical Animal Trials of Neuronal Cells
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
International Stem Cell Corporation Chairman Comments on UC San Diego Study About Therapies Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
International Stem Cell Corporation Chairman Comments on UC San Diego Study That Finds Therapies Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Could Encounter Immune Rejection Problems
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, announced last week that they had discovered that the class of stem cells known as "induced pluripotent stem cells" or "iPS" cells could cause an immune rejection problem when transplanted into mice. Scientists had hoped that these cells would have two big advantages over embryonic stem cells: they would not be controversial because their creation did not entail the destruction of human embryos; and, since the stem cells could be made from a particular patient’s skin cells, they could be used to make tissues that would not be rejected by the patient’s own immune system. Although responses in humans may be different, the discovery of an immune response in mice suggests that the second of these hopes may not be so easily realized.
That is disappointing news in many ways, but it illustrates what we at International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) think will be one of the great benefits of the Parthenogenetic Stem Cells our scientists have created and patented.
Parthenogenetic stem cells are not only pluripotent they also do not involve any destruction or damage to a viable human embryo. Since they are never fertilized (and can't become a child) they carry the DNA of only the egg donor and not the added DNA of a father or other sperm donor. This results in the possibility of matching these cells to large groups of people without causing immune response problems.
The science is a bit complicated, but the result is illustrated by the fact that the very first stem cell line ISCO created using its newest techniques has the potential to match the immune systems of over 50 million people. With the right donors, cell lines from as few as 50 donors (one respected scientist has said as few as 10 donors) could match a very large portion of the world's population. There is a lot of work yet to be done, but if one thinks of it as comparable to a blood bank, but for stem cells instead, the concept becomes quite exciting.
Lastly, even if iPS cells are never used for transplant therapy, they still have wonderful research potential, so those who hoped for medical breakthroughs using them should not despair. They are, and will be, very important, even though there are better pathways to transplant therapy.
Kenneth C. Aldrich - Chairman
International Stem Cell Corporation
Source: Press Release from the University of California San Diego http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-05/uoc--sft051211.php
