Vet - Stem Regenerative Cell (VSRC): Technology or Medicine?

In human and animal life stem cells develop into many different cell types. 1 Stem - cells divide and mature into cells referred to as daughter cells. Eventually these daughter cells become new stem cells (self- renewal) or specialized cells (differentiation). 2 These specialized cells become muscle cell, red blood cell, brain cell, heart muscles, and other organs and tissues. Stem cells are known to replenish other stem cells as long as the person or animal is alive. 1

Vet - Stem (San Diego California 4) privately held incorporated company formed in 2002, develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies for the purpose of utilizing natural healing properties inherent in animals. "In January 2004, Vet - Stem introduced the first veterinary stem cell services in the United States" 3 Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell (VSRC) technology or Vet-Stem Regenerative Medicine.(10 ): First and only company so far, derives stem cells from fat of horses and recently from dogs to be treated with their own stem cells to repair tendons and ligaments. 5 When stem cells are harvested from self referred to as auologous. 7 Traditional therapies that treated inflammation and pain for equine tendon, ligament and joint injuries, do not successfully regenerate tissues and scar tissue formation, resulted in partial or full loss of function. 10 Vet - Stem originally licensed the technology from Artecel Incorporated. Patents for the technology originated from University of Pittsburgh and Duke University. 10 Vet-Stem established itself being the only company to provide regenerative veterinary medicine, preventing any opportunity for competition. Vet - Stem maintains exclusive rights to stem cells derived from fat for veterinary use. 3 (the Food and Drug Administration has not approved fatty - tissue - cell transplant for humans 6).

Since 2004 Vet - Stem cell therapy treated 3,000 horses for tendon, ligament and joint injuries. Many of these horses resumed their prior level of performance. Robert Harman, DVM, and founder of Vet - Stem said regarding stem cells derived from fat: "A huge part of what they do is to provide growth factors and chemicals that help the injury heal. It does so by reducing inflammation - it actually blocks inflammatory molecules. They block scar tissue from forming and they recruit in all other kind of healing and stem cells from other places in the body, so they actually like a master healing cell." 4

2005 - 2008 Vet - Stem cell therapy provided treatment for about 200 dogs. 4. Fat is extracted through an injection site from a dog's shoulder blade or from the belly. About two tablespoons of a dog's fat is removed and sent to Vet - Stem.5 In the laboratory technicians us centrifuges to extract stem cells from the tissue (fat). 6 These cells are sent back to the veterinarian in a ready to us inject syringes. The injection is administered into the animal's joint or area of injury. 5 This procedure has successfully treated majority of dogs or 85% showed at least mild improvement in joint movements or pain level according to Vet - Stem. 8 (About 20% have seen no progress). 5 Significantly stem cell rejection does not occur since the origin of the cells from the same participant. 14 Stem cell therapy has rapidly treated hip dysplasia (Crippling degenerative condition in dogs and cats) in dogs, compared to previous conventional hip transplant treatment taking up to six months for recovery. A German Shepherd name 'Blue' under gone this treatment for two days and within 30 hours after the procedure, 'Blue' was running and swimming and playing with her friends. 6 A three year old Siberian Husky suffering from pain and could hardly walk, despite ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery failed to provide relief. After stem cell therapy the Siberian Husky (Nakota), within weeks was running long distance, jumping into his owner's car, and not suffering any further pain. 5 A two year old collie (Buzz) suffered a severed rear tendon. Owner of the dog, after consulting with his veterinarian persude best course of treatment Vet - Stem cell therapy, offered a faster recovering time. The collie underwent surgery and three fat stem cell injections. "In six weeks this dog was working again." said Doyle (dog trainer)." Published in the journal of Veterinary Therapeutics (January 2008) Vet - Stem showed stem cell therapy improved the mobility in dogs with osteoarthritis (common type of arthritis). 4 Vet - Stem keeps frozen a sufficient amount of a dog's stem cells, in case of a relapse or suffers an orthopedic injury requiring future stem cell therapy. Cost for stem cell treatment $2,000 to $4,000 includes the extraction, surgeries, and follow - up. 6 "The cost for the treatment depends on the dog's particular injury and the kind of diagnostic tests needed. Doctors say generally, it is half the cost of surgeries for joint replacement. 12 Dr. Harman expects by the end of 2008 Vet - Stem patient list will encompass 60% dogs, 10% cats and 30% horses. 6

Representing more than 76,000 veterinarians, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in Schaumburg Illinois, supports stem cell therapy for the benefit of animals health. 9

Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell (VSRC) technology is not recommended for dogs with health concerns such as heart disease or kidney failure, because placing these types of dogs under anesthesia, remove fat for stem cell therapy, maybe risking their lives. 13

In January 2008, Vet Stem offered certification for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and researchers after completing an online course study (About 3 hours 10): Vet-Stem Small Animal Regenerative Stem Cell Introduction and Orthopedic Credentialed User Course. Since the initial start date, more than 1,000 veterinarians have signed up. The Food and Drug Administration approved Vet Stem cell therapy treatment for animals diagnosed having orthopedic problems in tendons and ligaments, and for bone fractures and arthritis. 9

Research for stem cell therapy for dogs and cats has very optimistic out - look for the future. Stem Cell therapy for dogs has no federal limiting regulations, offering opportunities for veterinarians discover new applications. 4 Dr. Harman said: "As opposed to embryonic stem cells which is quite controversial, we actually use the animals own stem cells so the animal is his own donor." In 2008, veterinarian Richard Vulliet (Professor of the molecular biosciences department at the University of California) plans to evaluate the effectiveness of stem cells taken from bone narrow to treat degenerative myelopathy (spinal cord disease affecting Pembroke Welsh Corgis and German shepherd breed) in dogs. Evaluating the results may prove helpful to treat multiple scoliosis in humans. 4 In 2008, Vet - Stem plans to start researching stem cell treatment for cats and dogs with kidney disease. 5 Also, investigating stem cell use for the treatment of liver and immune diseases among a study of participants. 11

List of veterinarians educated to provide Vet-Stem Regeneration Cell Therapy in the United Sates is available (Equine and small animal): Vet-Stem.com

References:

1.) Stem Cell Basics - http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics

2.) Stem cells: What they are and what they do - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/stem-cells/CA00081/METHOD=print

3.) Vet - Stem Secures Exclusive Veterinary Rights for Fat Derived Stem Cells - http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/689485/vetstem_secures_exclusive_veterinary_rights_for_fat_derived_stem_cells/index.html?source=r_health

4.) Dogs Get Pricey Stem Cell Therapy - http://www.livescience.com/animals/080123-dog-stemcell.html

5.) Stem Cell Therapy For Dogs and Horses - http://www.itchmo.com/stem-cell-therapy-for-dogs-and-horses-2841

6.) Stem - Cell Treatments for Pets - http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080625/hl_time/stemcelltreatmentsforpets

7.) Autolgous Transplant - http://www.lymphomation.org/bmt-auto.htm

8.) Stem cells hold promise for ailing dogs - http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080511/NEWS/805110332

9.) Stem - Cell Treatments for Pets - http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20080625/hl_time/stemcelltreatmentsforpets

10.) Vet-Stem - http://www.vet-stem.com/equine/

11.) Stem-Cell Regenerative Therapy - http://www.vetrefclinic.com/site/view/113611_StemCellRegenerativeTherapy.pml

12.) Stem Cell Therapy for Dogs - http://www.wwmt.com/news/cell_1349781___article.html/dogs_stem.html

13.) Stem - cell therapy for arthritic dogs - http://www.northjersey.com/betterliving/21666699.html

14.) Vet's Stem Cell Work May Lead to Human Treatments - http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/Article.aspx?id=37159