OLDSMAR, Fla., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cryo-Cell International Inc. and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center today announced a research partnership to conduct an exploratory study to determine the homing capabilities of Cryo-Cell’s proprietary Endometrial Menstrual Stem Cells (MenSCs) in a breast cancer model.
The NIH Clinical Center research team, led by Dr. Joseph Frank, will label the MenSCs with iron oxide nanoparticles, which will make it possible to track the distribution of the MenSCs in the body using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The ability to use MRI to monitor the migration of the MenSCs may provide the basis for determining the future utility of MenSCs in the treatment of disease.
“We know that the MenSCs are capable of differentiating into different cell types, and that they have the ability to divide rapidly,” said Julie Allickson, Ph.D., Vice President of Laboratory Operations and Research and Development at Cryo-Cell. “The study may provide the basis for determining future use of these cells to treat diseases.”
Clinical non-invasive imaging techniques that allow for long term tracking of stem cells in vivo do not currently exist. The Experimental Neuroimaging Section of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the NIH Clinical Center has developed techniques to label stem cells with the FDA approved agent, ferumoxides (FE), which is commonly used as a contrast agent with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. By using FE, researchers in the Experimental Neuroimaging Section of the LDRR are able to track the temporal and spatial migration by MRI.
Dr. Frank and his colleagues in the Experimental Neuroimaging Section of Radiology and Imaging Sciences will evaluate the labeling efficiency of MenSCs to determine if there is any alteration in differentiation potential, proliferative capacity, metabolic alterations, apoptosis rate and/or an increase in iron content of the tracked cells compared to unlabeled cells.
Following the in vitro evaluation of FEPro (ferumoxides complexed to protamine sulfate) labeled endometrial cell function, if the MenSCs are not altered by FEPro labeling, a series of in vivo MRI studies will be conducted in rodent tumor models to determine if the magnetically labeled cells will migrate to and integrate into the tumor. Further studies may be added that will explore the therapeutic uses of MenSCs at the molecular level, as gene therapy or delivery vehicles for nanotherapeutic chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancer if the present research supports such studies.
About Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
Based in Oldsmar, Florida, with over 160,000 clients worldwide, Cryo-Cell is one of the largest and most established family cord blood banks. ISO 9001:2000 certified and accredited by the AABB, Cryo-Cell operates in a state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP)-compliant facility. Cryo-Cell is a publicly traded company. OTC Bulletin Board Symbol: CCEL. For more information, please call 1-800-STOR-CELL (1-800-786-7235) or visit http://www.cryo-cell.com or http://www.celle.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
Statements wherein the terms “believes”, “intends”, “projects” or “expects” as used are intended to reflect “forward-looking statements” of the Company. The information contained herein is subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in such forward-looking statements or paragraphs, many of which are outside the control of the Company. These uncertainties and other factors include the uncertainty of domestic and international market acceptance of any potential service offerings relating to types of stem cells other than cord blood stem cells, including the C’elle service, given that menstrual stem cells and other new stem cells have not yet been used in human therapies, and treatment applications using such stem cells are not likely to be developed and commercialized for many years and are subject to further research and development; the need for additional development and testing before determining the ultimate commercial value of the Company’s intellectual property relating to the menstrual stem cells; the need to complete certain developments, including completion of clinical validation and testing, before any new process other than C’elle can be commercialized, and the Company’s development of its final business and economic model in offering any such service; any adverse effect or limitations caused by recent increases in government regulation of stem cell storage facilities; any increased competition in our business; any decrease or slowdown in the number of people seeking to store umbilical cord blood stem cells or decrease in the number of people paying annual storage fees; any adverse impacts on our revenue or operating margins due to the costs associated with increased growth in our business, including the possibility of unanticipated costs relating to the operation of our new facility; any technological breakthrough or medical breakthrough that would render the Company’s business of stem cell preservation obsolete; any material failure or malfunction in our storage facilities; any natural disaster such as a tornado, other disaster (fire) or act of terrorism that adversely affects stored specimens; the costs associated with defending or prosecuting litigation matters and any material adverse result from such matters; decreases in asset valuations; any continued negative effect from adverse publicity in the past year regarding the Company’s business operations; any negative consequences resulting from deriving, shipping and storing specimens at a second location; and other risks and uncertainties. The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and the Company disclaims any obligations to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-QSB and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company.
Disclaimer: NO ENDORSEMENT OF ANY ORGANIZATION, PRODUCT OR SERVICE MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IS INTENDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH OR ITS EMPLOYEES OR SHOULD BE INFERRED.
CONTACT: Media, Kristin O’Neill, +1-312-233-1295,
kristin.oneill@edelman.com, or Financial, Mona Walsh, +1-212-704-4598,
mona.walsh@edelman.com, both for Cryo-Cell International Inc.
Web site: http://www.cryo-cell.com/
