Stem Cell-Grown Windpipe Transplant Works

Patient Gets New Trachea, Made From Her Own Cells; Step Toward Growing Replacement Organs

(CBS/ AP)  Doctors have given a woman a new windpipe with tissue grown from her own stem cells, eliminating the need for anti-rejection drugs.

"This technique has great promise," said Dr. Eric Genden, who did a similar transplant in 2005 at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. That operation used both donor and recipient tissue. Only a handful of windpipe, or trachea, transplants have ever been done.

If successful, the procedure could become a new standard of treatment, said Genden, who was not involved in the research.

The results were published online Wednesday in the medical journal, The Lancet.

The transplant was given to Claudia Castillo, a 30-year-old Colombian mother of two living in Barcelona who suffered from tuberculosis for years. After a severe collapse of her left lung in March, Castillo needed regular hospital visits to clear her airways and was unable to take care of her children.

Doctors initially thought the only solution was to remove the entire left lung. But Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, head of thoracic surgery at Barcelona's Hospital Clinic, proposed a windpipe transplant instead.

Once doctors had a donor windpipe, scientists at Italy's University of Padua stripped off all its cells, leaving only a tube of connective tissue.

Meanwhile, doctors at the University of Bristol in England took a sample of Castillo's bone marrow from her hip. They used the bone marrow's stem cells to create millions of cartilage and tissue cells to cover and line the windpipe.

Experts at the University of Milan then used a device to put the new cartilage and tissue onto the windpipe. The new windpipe was transplanted into Castillo in June.

"They have created a functional, biological structure that can't be rejected," said Dr. Allan Kirk of the American Society of Transplantation. "It's an important advance, but constructing an entire organ is still a long way off."

Still, it’s an important step in that quest, reports CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook.

"One of the nice things about this technology is that it was able to prevent the patient's lung from being removed and that's exciting," Dr. Anthony Atala told LaPook. Atalia has pioneered the use of stem cells in America to create human organs. He's already tested a working bladder and sees other possibilities.

"Any type of tubularized organ in the body, will be able to benefit from these technologies such as blood vessels, the esophagus," Atala said. "Many different types."

The beauty of the technique: You don't need drugs to prevent the body from rejecting the organ, as in the case of transplants.

Castillo herself has shown no signs of rejection and is not taking any immune-suppressing drugs, which can cause side effects like high blood pressure, kidney failure and cancer.

"I was scared at the beginning," Castillo said in a press statement. "I am now enjoying life and am very happy that my illness has been cured."

Her doctors say she is now able to take care of her children, and can walk reasonable distances without becoming out of breath. Castillo even reported dancing all night at a club in Barcelona recently.

Genden said that Castillo's progress needed to be closely monitored. "Time will tell if this lasts," he said. Genden added that it can take up to three years to know if the windpipe's cartilage structure is solid and won't fall apart.

People who might benefit include children born with defective airways, people with scars or tumors in their windpipes, and those with collapsed windpipes.

Martin Birchall, who grew Castillo's cells at the University of Bristol, said that the technique might even be adapted to other organs.

"Patients engineering their own tissues is the key way forward," said Dr. Patrick Warnke, a surgeon at the University of Kiel in Germany. Warnke is also growing patients' tissues from stem cells for transplants.

Warnke predicted that doctors might one day be able to produce organs in the laboratory from patients' own stem cells. "That is still years away, but we need pioneering approaches like this to solve the problem," he said.

[yongamerica]

The future is here!

[clew37]

for william7800:

Won''t it be neat when they can grow you a brain with more than one cell in it? Or was I counting too high for you?

[rixmix98]

Please, before I die, just 2 things:
1. Bush, Cheney, Rice, Powell, Rumsfeld, Wofowitz, Rove ------- all in bright prison orange jumpsuits (Rice wearing appropriately matching orange pumps) ----- and awaiting trial for war crimes in the Hague.



Priceless

[holy-joe-722]

Wow! I''m really surprised that they printed this article at all. It says that they used HER stem cells, not embryonic cells. That''s OK though. Someone will use it in an ad for embryonic stem cell research and "neglect" to tell us that little detail and mislead the public into voting for taxpayer dollars for embryonic research. Once again, it is adult stem cells that worked.

[georgew1956]

excellant news for the start of the day.

[gramto8]

Those ''dead babies'' that you believe are being used look like this:

ooo
ooooo
ooooooo
ooooo
ooo

Only in a spherical shape. Get a grip!

[thinkharder-]

That''''s OK though. Someone will use it in an ad for embryonic stem cell research and "neglect" to tell us that little detail and mislead the public into voting for taxpayer dollars for embryonic research.
Posted by holy_joe_722 at 07:10 AM : Nov 19, 2008

You know Holy Joe, as uncomfortable as you are with the prospect of having your taxpayer dollars supporting embryonic stem cell research...I am equally frustrated that my tax payer dollars are not supporting such research. I am frustrated that we are slowing the progress and forward thinking nature of the scientific process and my government won''t allow me to put my money where I feel it is most needed. You see...your OPINION as to the intrinsic human value of a cluster of human embryonic cells is a solely religious one, and I''d rather not have my tax dollars steered by you religious inclinations.

[dxme141]

thinkharder maybe you should quote the entire paragraph instead of whatever fits your train of thought. i will clarify it for you, it was Adult stem cells from the person herself not murdered babies

[ncsujags]

Whatever! Stem Cell research is necessary. Obama is for it and Bush is against it! Time for CHANGE!!!!!

[thinkharder-]

thinkharder maybe you should quote the entire paragraph instead of whatever fits your train of thought. i will clarify it for you, it was Adult stem cells from the person herself not murdered babies

Posted by dxme141 at 08:08 AM : Nov 19, 2008

I wasn''t referring to the article...I read it and know full well what types of cells were used for this research. I was rebutting commentary made by another poster here. You see, being an atheist, I don''t believe that research on embryonic stem cells is in any way shape or form tantamount to the murdering of babies. To say otherwise is a religious consideration and I am opposed to my tax payer dollars being steered away from such research on those accounts.

[dxme141]

Then quit paying taxes and **** of my country kthxbai

[dxme141]

i am pretty sure the constitution you speak of doesnt cover terrorists like yourself

[thinkharder-]

i am pretty sure the constitution you speak of doesnt cover terrorists like yourself

Posted by dxme141 at 08:28 AM : Nov 19, 2008

You have no right to call me a terrorist you self righteous bag of wind! You see, I lost three good friends of mine to terrorist hands on 911...terrorists so hell bent on their religious certainty that they disregarded the well being of others and killed my friends.

Your religious certainty, while not nearly as immediate in its malice, is equally dangerous.

Perhaps we could propose a solution. What if, once tax returns came around, we were offered the option, much like we are offered to donate to campaign contributions, to chose whether we''d like to see our tax dollars allotted for the development of stem cell research. Is that fair enough for you?

[patocc-2009]

I just read the first page and I think people are misguided in what kind of stem cell research people are against. EMBRYONIC STEM CELL. If you read the article they took the stem cells from the womens bone marrow. Not a fetus. People need to educate themselves before they start to bring up a political arguement that they have been mislead to believe by thier political party.

[thinkharder-]

Posted by patocc at 08:40 AM : Nov 19, 2008

We''ve been through this, and we know very well what types of cells were used here. However, it is natural that this discussion would evolve in to a more broad topic concerning stem cell development in all of it''s iterations.

[panhandlpete]

Stem cell research is progressiong all over the world, but not as rapidly as it should. When someone sees a loved one dying of a disease, or pehaps they are the one with a health problem, their own assessment and beliefs can present them with a different point of view toward scientific research and its benefits.

In a Democracy, the majority should rule, so if the elected leadership pushes the issue forward, then much progress will be accomplished in the near future.

Would it not be much more humane to have replacement parts from your own tissue, than to be comprised of so many metal objects? Think of all the losses of limbs, eyes, and other injuries suffered by our soldiers, and how much richer their lives would be if these could be restored as flesh!!!!

Will they ever worry about growing NEW teeth? Think about all the possibilites of "what life will be like should all this take place in the future!" THINK

[notmudrose1]

Now, if they can only grow the republicans a set of b alls. Perhaps they can grow the republicans a p nis too and then they won''t be the party of eunuchs.

[bushie3]

to william7800

If god graces your life with the right to reproduce. I surly hope you never have to watch them die before you. I lost my youngest and if they had told me that his life could be saved by pulling stem cell out of your back side. God forgive me but I would have jumped at the chance. Closed minded people like you live in the stone age and that is your right. Please don''t step on my right to live on.

[irmcvet97]

We''''ve been through this, and we know very well what types of cells were used here. However, it is natural that this discussion would evolve in to a more broad topic concerning stem cell development in all of it''''s iterations.

Posted by ThinkHarder- at 08:42 AM : Nov 19, 2008

Yeah this is what we have been missing for so LONG, an OPEN HONEST debate about an issue ALL of us should be concerned with. I can''t see a problem with it, it''s called DEBATE! It''s EXACTLY how our Nation came to be. The problem in this nation right now is a few, who control most of the Republican Party, do NOT know the meaning of the word COMPROMISE!

[irmcvet97]

thinkharder maybe you should quote the entire paragraph instead of whatever fits your train of thought. i will clarify it for you, it was Adult stem cells from the person herself not murdered babies

Posted by dxme141 at 08:08 AM : Nov 19, 2008

We can''t afford people like this anymore folks! We are NEVER going to make clear decisions based on what is best for the nation when people like this exist. The GOAL of this creature of the Dark is NOT to put forth his position on an issue. This is someone who is SO NARROW MINDED and SO Inconsiderate of OTHER PEOPLES beliefs, that they are to be made out to be people who Kill Babies! Now we have two choices at this time... we can continue to talk to each other in this manner or we can refuse! I say refuse... THEY have NO right to shove their Religion down our throat and NO ONE is talking about Killing Babies to get Stem Cells. We have NO right to demand that OTHERS respect us in the World when we do NOT respect each other!!

[antoniof123]

Then quit paying taxes and **** of my country kthxbai

Posted by dxme141 at 08:19 AM : Nov 19, 2008

You sir need to get out your day came and went enough of calling us names because we disagree with you. The day is coming if you don''t moderate we moderates will break you and you will be irrevelant.

No more discussing for you go sit in the corner.

[irmcvet97]

If god graces your life with the right to reproduce. I surly hope you never have to watch them die before you. I lost my youngest and if they had told me that his life could be saved by pulling stem cell out of your back side. God forgive me but I would have jumped at the chance. Closed minded people like you live in the stone age and that is your right. Please don''''t step on my right to live on.

Posted by bushie33 at 09:59 AM : Nov 19, 2008

People we HAVE to do something with these Poor Uneducated People. They are 6th grade drop outs at best and they are so easy to brain wash it''s ridiculous. How long has it been established that the cells being talked about are from Frozen embryos that are going to be destroyed. NO ONE has EVER proposed killing anyone''s Baby to get them nor any of the rest of the trash this trailer dweller is spewing! I''m serious, this kind of outright lack of education AND common respect for American''s who do not agree with them, make them and the Taliban very much alike! VERY MUCH INDEED!!

[ddaryl1]

if your against stem cell research then when one of your family members is ill and dying, or even yourself, make sure you refuse any treatment that includes stem cells.

Then watch your love one fade away and suffer because of your belief.

[credibility2]

More should be done with stem cell research and this is a case in point. The possibilities in eliminating so many tragic, yet potentially preventable medical maladies has yet to be fully realized. Anyone against stem cell research is inherently anti-life.

[patocc-2009]

The problem in this nation right now is a few, who control most of the Republican Party, do NOT know the meaning of the word COMPROMISE!
----------------------------------

If this is what you believe then you are part of the problem. Both parties are the problem. Anyone who thinks that one political party is inheritly better than the other on the national level then you are part of the problem. Both are self serving and look out for themselves not the interest of the country. They both pitch thier beliefs to trigger emotion outta of people to get thier vote.

[armydog2]

The only reason bush is against stem cell research of any kind is the pharmceuticals and their lobbyists in DC. Imagine how much money they would lose if a cure for alzheimers disease or cancer or diabetes was found using stem cell research. You do not and I repeat do not have to kill unborn fetuses to get stem cells. You can get them from the placenta etc after the birth of a child.

[pensacola98]

The leading barrier to stem cell research is the Vatican.

If anyone wants to advance civilization, they will need to disempower the Vatican.

[bigteks]

This has nothing to do with embryonic stem cell research which wouldn''t have helped this woman. The reason she isn''t rejecting the tissue is because the stem cells cam from her OWN BONE MARROW, not from a human embryo.

As far as I know no one is objecting to adult stem cell research and it is a lot more promising than embryonic stem cells because it comes from the same DNA as the person they are trying to help, and so there is no issue of tissue rejection.

And there is no ethical delimma because you don''t have to kill a baby to get it. Maybe you don''t care if they kill babies to help people but a lot of people do. Why force that issue when this approach is so much better?

[bigteks]

We can''''t afford people like this anymore folks! We are NEVER going to make clear decisions based on what is best for the nation when people like this exist...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Irmcvet97 at 10:17 AM : Nov 19, 2008


So what is your proposal since you seem to think that people like us should not exist? Do you have some kind of final solution in mind?

First you say no one is talking about killing babies, then you say people like us should not exist? The nation can''t afford for us to exist any more?

I''m very curious what you mean, it sounds like you are prepared to dispose of millions (billions world-wide)? Simply because you think you are right and we are wrong.

[actornaught]

Because of an over-weening interpretation of a vague verse in the Bible, that was then was then twisted into the basis for extremist politics, the USA is being left behind in stem cell research.

Thank the republicans, and their desire to create the "conservative-christian" (an oxymoron), all for the sake of lying to them to get their votes.

Thank God the Italians have some clear thinking.

[alphaa10000]

The critical point of the entire procedure is the rejection issue-- the tracheal connective tissue from the donor remains, even if only as a scaffolding for the woman''s own stem-cell-based tracheal tissue overgrowth.

Made-to-order organs may be a prospect if researchers can solve the tissue rejection problem with donated tissues, and master the blend of donor and "home-grown" cells.

Not surprisingly, money invested in cancer research and immunology has collateral benefits in control of the implant/transplant process, and the body''s idea of "self" vs. "other".

[hummerpoo2]

The stem cells used in this case were from the patient''s own bone marrow. Christians do not object to stem cell research. They object to EMBRYONIC stem cell research. Stem cell research of the type used here has produced many successes. Embryonic stem cell research has been 100% unsuccessful in the treatment or curing of ANYTHING!

[malcat]

I am a Christian. I am also a diabetic who comes from a family of diabetics. For us, it is not "if" you will become a diabetic, but "when" you will become a diabetic.

I said all that to say this: If I were offered a cure for diabetes today where every single member of my family would could be instantly cured, I would reject it if one single BABY died. And embryos are babies.

They did not consent to die for medical research. Stem cell research is just fine unless babies die.

I am thrilled to hear of this great success. Let''s hope it is only the beginning of many more. Personally, I''m tired of the 4 pills and 4 injections I need daily to survive.

[mswolfestock]

Anyone against stem cell research is inherently anti-life.

--------- Credibility2

The anti-stem cell people are the same hypocrites who care more about a glob of cells than they care about a new-born baby. These are the same anti-abortion hypocrites who won''t support free birth control, they won''t help people who did "choose life," they wouldn''t think of adopting an un-wanted (un-aborted) child.

I can only hope that America comes to its senses and will join the rest of the world in doing life-saving stem-cell research.

[lochlan-2009]

"scientists at Italy''s University of Padua stripped off all its cells, leaving only a tube of connective tissue.

Meanwhile, doctors at the University of Bristol in England took a sample of Castillo''s bone marrow from her hip. They used the bone marrow''s stem cells to create millions of cartilage and tissue cells....Experts at the University of Milan then used a device to put the new cartilage and tissue onto the windpipe."

Notice all the stem cell work that was done in the U.S., NONE! Why is this? Oh, that''s right, the Bush Regime put bans on the most cutting edge advancement in medicine in human history, so that people would have to go to other countries and pay them for these life saving and improving technologies. Are we ever going to see any justice in this country against the Bush Crime Lord?

[lochlan-2009]

The leading barrier to stem cell research is the Vatican.

If anyone wants to advance civilization, they will need to disempower the Vatican.

Posted by Pensacola98

The Jesuit order is alive and well.

[bigteks]

"Notice all the stem cell work that was done in the U.S., NONE! Why is this? Oh, that''''s right, the Bush Regime put bans on the most cutting edge advancement in medicine in human history, so that people would have to go to other countries and pay them for these life saving and improving technologies."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lochlan at 02:07 PM : Nov 19, 2008


There is no connection at all between the ban on EMBRYONIC stem cell research and this operation that used ADULT BONE MARROW stem cells.

The reason Europeans did the procecure is because the patient lives in EUROPE (a Columbian living in Barcelona).

Pay attention now - this might be hard for you to understand but I think you can do it if you try - American researchers can legally do everything this article reports.

I agree we should allow life-saving stem cell research. EMBRYONIC stem cell research hasn''t helped anyone much less saved a life.

ADULT stem cell research is helping lots of people. Stop killing babies and start saving lives.

[lochlan-2009]

All right, little bain, let''s get down to the nitty gritty of what you are saying. Hell, I''ll pull it right from the White House''s own fact pages.

"Embryonic stem cells: Embryonic stem cells, which come from the inner cell mass of a human embryo, have the potential to develop into all or nearly all of the tissues in the body. The scientific term for this characteristic is "pluripotentiality."

Adult stem cells: Adult stem cells are unspecialized, can renew themselves, and can become specialized to yield all of the cell types of the tissue from which they originate. Although scientists believe that some adult stem cells from one tissue can develop into cells of another tissue, no adult stem cell has been shown in culture to be pluripotent.

The potential of embryonic stem cell research: Many scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research may eventually lead to therapies that could be used to treat diseases that afflict approximately 128 million Americans. Treatments may include replacing destroyed dopamine-secreting neurons in a Parkinson''s patient''s brain; transplanting insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells in diabetic patients; and infusing cardiac muscle cells in a heart damaged by myocardial infarction. Embryonic stem cells may also be used to understand basic biology and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new medicines."

[lochlan-2009]

From about.com
"Embryonic stem cells are thought by most scientists and researchers to hold potential cures for spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson''s disease, cancer, Alzheimer''s disease, heart disease, hundreds of rare immune system and genetic disorders and much more.

Scientists see almost infinite value in the use of embryonic stem cell research to understand human development and the growth and treatment of dieases.

As South Korea, Great Britain, Japan, Germany, India and other countries rapidly pioneer this new technological frontier, the US is being left farther and farther behind in medical technology. The US is also losing out on billions in new economic opportunities at a time when our country sorely needs new sources of revenues."

You must be a republican bible thumper, how many diseases have been treated with adult stem cell research, by the way?

[thinkharder-]

, I would reject it if one single BABY died. And embryos are babies.
Posted by aelmal at 01:21 PM : Nov 19, 2008

I''m sorry...but if you look into a petry dish and observe a 1-2 hundred cell blastula and the first thought that comes to your mind is, WOW...what a cute baby! You are looking too hard into it. We are not talking babies here, we''re talking about undifferentiated cell clusters. If a scientist were not there to tell you what you were looking at, you''d probably step on it thinking it was some kind of strange insect.

[rf35]

"Stop killing babies and start saving lives."
Posted by bigteks

OK, I assume you (if you''re female) and other females of like mind are volunteering to have the embryos in question implanted yourselves. Or did you not know that the subjects of embryonic stem cell research are the leftovers from in-vitro fertilization procedures and other infertility treatments? Of course, I supposed you are opposed to these as well.