Regenerative Medicine Treatment Value Equation

Regenerative medicine is a buzz phrase right now.  Patients, providers and politicians are all in favor of "Regenerative Medicine".  There are three major components to evaluate when assessing treatment value (TV).  Treatment value is directly related to overall efficacy (E) of the drug or procedure and inversely related to cost (C) and risk (R).  A simple equation can define it:

TV = E / C x R2

That is Treatment Value = Efficacy divided by Cost times Risk squared.

We need treatments of high value with maximal efficacy that have reasonable costs and minimal risks.  When evaluating new potential "Regenerative Medicine Treatments", consider this equation.

Please post any comments or suggestions.

AM
ApexPRP.com

Embryonic Stem Cells used to Treat Spinal Cord Injury Patient

For the first time in history, embryonic stem cells have been used to treat a patient with an acute spinal cord injury.  According to several reports the protocol calls for using the treatment within two weeks of the initial injury.  Geron, the company sponsoring the trial has spent years and tens of millions of dollars just to get to this first patient.  The hope is for this first phase that safety can be demonstrated.

We have officially entered the era of biologic medicine.  For quite some time there has been promise, now there is action.  It is hard to compute the amount of effort that has likely gone into getting to just this point.  It is the researchers and especially this first brave but tragic patient that deserve the credit for this advancement.

In the future, the use of either adult stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells may become a better option.  For now, regardless of your stance on the ethics of embryonic stem cells this day must be marked as a milestone.

AM
Total Tendon

HalfDome.TV

High School Stem Cell Course

In the San Francisco Bay Area, it is now possible to begin studying stem cell biology in high school.  This is an important and interesting development.  If we can expose young men and women to this exciting and new field early, they will lead to discoveries we can now only dream of today. 

To read more about this new program:  click here.

AM
Total Tendon

Stem Cells Improve Heart Function

Study Shows Benefits of Adult Stem Cells for Heart Disease

"In the 12-month Phase II, double-blind trial, subjects' own purified stem cells, called CD34+ cells, were injected into their hearts in an effort to spur the growth of small blood vessels that make up the microcirculation of the heart muscle....

The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk."

Read Full Article.

This is well done and interesting investigation into how your own body's cells can improve function in tissue that was once thought not to be able to regenerate. As we investigate deeper into stem cells and other treatments, we are likely to continue to challenge many long held beliefs about human physiology.

AM
Total Tendon