OLDSMAR, Fla., April 5 /PRNewswire-Firstcall/ ----Cryo-Cell International, Inc. today announced results of a study published this month in the cover article of Stem Cells and Development showing that stem cells found in menstrual blood may one day be a potential source for stem cell therapies in stroke and other central nervous system disorders. Menstrual stem cells, known as MenSCs, offer an easily accessible, non-controversial and renewable stem cell source with the potential to one day treat a host of diseases, such as stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, according to a number of early studies. The study, entitled "Menstrual Blood Cells Display Stem Cell-Like Phenotypic Markers and Exert Neuroprotection Following Transplantation in Experimental Stroke," was conducted by researchers at Cryo-Cell International, the University of South Florida, Saneron-CCEL Therapeutics and the Medical College of Georgia.
"The data shows immediate behavioral recovery at an early period after transplantation although the exact mechanism underlying the neural benefits of MenSCs remains unknown," said lead researcher Cesar V. Borlongan Ph.D., Professor and Vice-Chair of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair at the University of South Florida Health. "We do know that several trophic factors have been identified post transplant that may potentially point to a secretion of therapeutic substances from MenSCs versus one of cell replacement. Equally important, is that there was no instance of complications or negative effects such as detectable tumor, ectopic formation or overt graft-versus-host in any of the transplanted animals."
"Compared to other stem cell sources, such as bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, MenSCs are harvested from a readily available and renewable source of adult mesenchymal stem cells. These novel and highly prolific stem cells are easily obtained using non-invasive methodology and create the potential for matched cell transplantations in large scale clinical trials," said Julie Allickson, Ph.D., study investigator and Vice President, Laboratory Operations, Research and Development at Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
"Stroke is the third leading cause of death and disability in U.S. adults," said Mercedes A. Walton, Cryo-Cell's Chairman and CEO. "According to the American Heart Association, stroke will cost almost $68.9 billion in both direct and indirect healthcare costs in 2009. In view of these statistics, we are clearly encouraged by research study results that demonstrate significant promise for the development of regenerative medicine therapies to potentially treat and manage the debilitating conditions caused by stroke and possibly other neurological disorders."
About C'elle
The C'elle(SM) service was introduced in November 2007 as the first and only service that empowers women to collect and cryopreserve menstrual flow containing undifferentiated adult stem cells for future utilization by the donor or possibly their first-degree relatives in a manner similar to umbilical cord blood stem cells. For more information, visit http://www.Celle.com
About Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc.
Saneron is a biotechnology R&D company, focused on neurological and cardiac cell therapy for the early intervention and treatment of several devastating or deadly diseases, which lack adequate treatment options. Saneron, a University of South Florida spin-out company is located at the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator. An affiliate of Cryo-Cell International, Inc. Saneron is committed to providing readily available, non-controversial, ethically acceptable cells, both stem cells and other cell types, for cellular therapies.
CONTACT: Media, Julia Nissim, +1-312-240-3182, Julia.Nissim@edelman.com,
or Investors, Dianne Will, +1-518-398-6222, dwill@willstar.net, both for
Cryo-Cell International, Inc.
Web site: http://www.Celle.com/
http://www.cryo-cell.com/