In a bold step forward, Thai Life Insurance has announced it will add stem cell transplant coverage to its insurance policies. This coverage will be made available through seven already existing insurance plans but will not include the costs associated with cosmetic surgery or physical rehabilitation. It will be offered to people between the ages of one month and 65 years. Thai Life Insurance will officially introduce the coverage on December 1st. This type of insurance coverage is thought to be the first of its kind throughout the world. Charoen Kittikanya, BangkokPost.comOctober 18, 2005
New U of T Strategy Will Boost Cord Blood Stem Cells
Scientists at the University of Toronto believe they have found a way to increase the number of stem cells found in cord blood thereby helping to increase the number of therapeutic uses for these stem cells. The team found that, by removing those stem cells that had already differentiated, non-differentiated stem cells were better able to grow. Because of the molecules produced by mature stem cells, or lineage-positive stem cells, the growth of other stem cells is prevented. U of T scientists also developed a special “bioreactor” to provide stem cells with a specialized environment in which to grow free from other environmental contaminants. If their experiments with growing stem cells in the bioreactor go well, researchers hope to test their technology in clinical trials within the next year. EurekaAlert.orgOctober 10, 2005
Cord Blood Stem Cells Reproduced
A new method of reproducing stem cells found in umbilical cord blood may help increase the number of transplants done using this type of stem cells. A team of researchers at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry in Japan were able to effectively reproduce cord blood stem cells four times faster than another recently developed technology. Using interleukin-6 along with three other proteins commonly found in cord blood, scientists were able to get the stem cells to reproduce 30 times in just 12 days. More importantly, the stem cells did not become cancerous, a common problem when trying to get stem cells to reproduce. Clinical studies that will use the reproduced stem cells in leukemia patients is planned. It is believed that this technology may also be beneficial in helping reproduce stem cells found in adult bone marrow. JapanTimes.co.jp
