Uso de células indiferenciadas do cordão umbilical

Artigo muito interessante que descreve os diversos usos que estão a ser dados a células indiferenciadas do cordão umbilical (que até há muito pouco tempo eram sempre deitados fora):
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/long_reads/cancer-treatment-umbilical-cord-blood-donation-mosaic-a7651891.html

Citando:
"Cord blood contains what are known as stem cells and progenitor cells, which can give rise to oxygen-carrying red blood cells, infection-fighting white blood cells and clot-forming platelets. 

Transplanted cord blood can be used to treat or cure more than 80 conditions, from leukaemia to sickle-cell disease. Based on current research exploring autism, brain injury, cerebral palsy, type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among others, the list of potential applications is likely to grow. Emerging strategies are even transforming cord blood left over after birth into a potent potion that might provide lifesaving treatments for victims of a nuclear disaster. 

Stem and progenitor cells are also found in the spongy marrow within some bones and in the blood that circulates around our bodies. But cord blood, once dismissed as medical waste, is particularly rich in these cells. As researchers are discovering, it may carry other significant advantages too.

While a cord blood transplant might save your life, though, going through the process and then starting anew – your survival down to an anonymous baby – is far from easy."

Tratamento das artroses (anca) a partir de gordura da barriga poderá vir a ser possível

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3695583/The-hip-replacement-fashioned-tummy-tuck-New-joints-grown-stomach-fat-treat-arthritis-trim-bulging-bellies.html


Citando:
"New replacement joints to be grown from fat taken from stomach in future
•Hoped the joints will last a lot longer than the prosthetics currently in use
•80,000 Britons have hip replacement surgery each year due to arthritis
•Technique based around cells which can turn into different types of tissue. "

Parar a esclerose múltipla? - Estudo / Tratamento

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36490315
Citando:
"The condition causes the immune system to attack the lining of nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Most patients are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.
One existing treatment is for the immune system to be suppressed with chemotherapy and then stem cells are introduced to the patient's bloodstream - this procedure is known as an autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).


(...)
But in this study, Canadian researchers went further - not just suppressing the immune system, but destroying it altogether.
It is then rebuilt with stem cells harvested from the patient's own blood which are at such an early stage, they have not developed the flaws that trigger MS.
The authors said that among the survivors, over a period of up to 13 years, there were no relapses and no new detectable disease activity."
(...) "1 person died".

Recuperação de mobilidade com células estaminais depois de AVC (até 3 anos depois)

A fonte da notícia é chinesa mas já a vi noutros lados (e o pequeno estudo é de Stanford):
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-06/06/c_135414635.htm


Citando: "In an "unprecedented" clinical trial, U.S. researchers have successfully reversed the long-term debilitating effects in some of the stroke patients by injecting stem cells directly into their brains.
"This wasn't just, 'They couldn't move their thumb, and now they can,'" lead author Gary Steinberg, professor and chair of neurosurgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine, said in a statement.
"Patients who were in wheelchairs are walking now," said Steinberg, who led the 18-patient trial and conducted 12 of the procedures himself."
(...)
"The stem cells, called SB623, are derived from the bone marrow of adult donors and modified to beneficially alter the cells' ability to restore neurologic function."