Adult Stem Cell Research

There s been much controversy concerning embryonic stem cell research in recent years However a new study finds some patients are benefitting from ADULT stem cell therapy right now and doctors hope we are one step closer to some major breakthroughs Dr Sean Kenniff reports Donald Reid is hoping adult stem cells will give him more time Donald Reid Heart Patient THERE S NOT MANY OPTIONS LEFT FOR ME The 57-year-old has clogged arteries and heart disease so bad he s not a candidate for surgery Instead he s joined an experimental study that involves this machine It s taking his blood and pulling out stem cells We re not talking about stem cells from an embryo These are Donald s own adult stem cells In the coming days doctors will inject them directly into Donald s heart 226 8364 166 with the hope it will regenerate and revitalize the damaged organ Dr Sean Kenniff CBS NEWS Adult stem cells have become standard therapy for treating several types of cancers like lukemia and lymphoma But according to new research this treatment is now starting to show real promise in treating other diseases A review of hundreds of trials found in some patients adult stem cells have stopped auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis Some heart patients like Donald have also seen improvement Weill Cornell s Michael Schuster is excited by the results but warns it s still early Dr Michael Schuster NY Pres Weill Cornell Med Ctr WE DON T KNOW YET WHAT THE BEST TECHNIQUE IS WE DON T REALLY KNOW HOW MUCH OF A BENEFIT THE PATIENTS WILL HAVE And when it comes to diseases like Diabetes Alzheimer s and Parkison s Dr Michael Schuster NY Pres Weill Cornell Med Ctr I THINK WE RE STILL A FEW YEARS AWAY FROM KNOWING WHETHER STEM CELLS REALLY TURN OUT TO BE THE ANSWER Donald should have an answer much sooner His wish 226 8364 166 Donald Reid Heart Patient TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT MY HEART MIGHT GIVE OUT In the coming weeks he ll know if that wish came true Doctor Sean Kenniff CBS News