Thread: Pig cell transplants make a comeback
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Old 04-19-2012, 02:29 AM
johnt johnt is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Stafford, UK
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15 yr Member
johnt johnt is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Stafford, UK
Posts: 1,059
15 yr Member
Default Pig cell transplants make a comeback
Pig cell transplants make a comeback.

A paper in Nature as long ago as 1997 explained how pig cells could be used to treat PD.

http://www.nature.com/nm/web_specials/xeno/review.html

Clinical trials were carried out. Some good results were obtained. (See the Jim Finn recent thread.) But, a double blinded phase 2 trial showed both the control and treated groups improving. This raised the possibility that the placebo effect was paramount.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...four/more.html

Fears of retroviral risks appear to have led to a halt in the procedure. Until now:

"The company behind the experimental diabetes treatment Diabecell is seeking Medsafe approval to transplant pig cells into the brains of Parkinson's patients."

http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/news/2012/...-patients.aspx

John
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Born 1955. Diagnosed PD 2005.
Meds 2010-Nov 2016: Stalevo(75 mg) x 4, ropinirole xl 16 mg, rasagiline 1 mg
Current meds: Stalevo(75 mg) x 5, ropinirole xl 8 mg, rasagiline 1 mg
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