CalbaTech Highlights Positive Report in Cell Online Magazine

CalbaTech, Inc. has announced that a recent research report provides data that initially suggests that cells collected during the Stem Cell MicroBank™ Service can be manipulated to mirror embryonic stem cells. Article can be seen online.

Much of the controversy surrounding embryonic stem cells centers on the destruction of the embryo caused during the harvesting of the stem cells.

Researchers have largely focused their attention on embryonic stem cells due to the cell's plasticity or the ability of stem cells to differentiate into specialized cells of another tissue type.

Advancements in therapies to date have been made because of the amount of resources provided to embryonic stem cell research.

This report, however, may signal a shift in focus by researchers as the plasticity in adult stem cells is better understood.

Using autologous stem cells at the time of transplantation might also overcome a major unknown hurdle related to embryonic stem cells, that being possible tissue rejection.

Proponents of embryonic stem cell research rarely discuss this potential limitation, while the transplantation of autologous adult stem cells should not result in tissue rejection.

CalbaTech's wholly-owned subsidiary, LifeStem has created a multi-tissue, autologous adult stem cell banking service that allows adults to bank their own stem cells for possible future therapeutic use.

LifeStem's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jason R. Van Tassel noted that in this study, the cells were generated from adult cultured fibroblasts under specific conditions whereby the cells were grown in the presence of several transcription factors expressed by embryonic stem cells.

These cells were then implanted into both mouse embryos and adult mice and differentiated into the three cell lineages seen in early development. This could be the "holy grail" for autologous banking of adult stem cells.

"Further in-vitro directed differentiation of these induced stem cells to specific cell types could provide a limitless source of a variety differentiated cells for numerous human therapeutic applications," said Dr. Van Tassel.

"We are entirely encouraged by this new data and we believe that it brings new concrete evidence that autologous adult stem cell banking is the proper strategy for patients to benefit from this emerging field."

The study did show, however, that when these induced stem cells were transplanted into adult mice, several mice developed tumors.

Dr. Van Tassel continued, "This is to be expected in a preliminary study where such highly undifferentiated cells were implanted."

"Furthermore, subsequent differentiation of these populations should eliminate the risk of malignancy in therapeutic applications."