What is Optic Nerve Hypoplasia?
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) refers to the underdevelopment of the optic
nerve during pregnancy. When we see, light through the outside world
enters the eye. It passes through the eye and enters the Optic Nerve.
The Optic Nerve transmits the light from the eyes to the brain. It is
our brain that processes the light that enters our eyes from the outside
world and interprets it as images. This is what happens when we see.
The Optic Nerve, in a real sense, is the telephone line that allows
the eyes to communicate with the brain. Though we have no information
about the numbers of children with ONH (incidents), studies have shown
that ONH is the third most common cause of childhood blindness and visual
impairment in the United States. The numbers of children born with ONH
is increasing dramatically. There is no known cause for ONH. Though
there have been a few reports of siblings with ONH, there is no current
evidence to suggest that ONH is a genetic condition.
What is Septo-Optic Dysplasia?
Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal
development of the optic disk, pituitary deficiencies, and often agenesis
(absence) of the septum pellucidum (the part of the brain that separates
the anterior horns or the lateral ventricles of the brain). Symptoms
may include blindness in one or both eyes, pupil dilation in response
to light, nystagmus (a rapid, involuntary to-and-fro movement of the
eyes), inward and outward deviation of the eyes, hypotonia (low muscle
tone), and hormonal problems. Seizures may also occur. In a few cases,
jaundice (prolonged yellow skin discoloration) may occur at birth. Intellectual
problems vary in severity among individuals. While some children with
SOD have normal intelligence, others have learning disabilities and
mental retardation. Most, however, are developmentally delayed due to
vision impairment or neurological problems.
Who is Beike Biotechnology?
Beike (pronounced Bay-Ka) is a China-based biotechnology company headquartered
in Shenzhen and is very close to Hong Kong. The company was originally
founded with capital from Beijing University, Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, and Shenzhen City Hall. Beike's stem cell research
and clinical applications were developed over a period of several years
beginning in the late 1990's. The original treatment and protocols were
primarily developed at Zhengzhou University. Over time, a network of
over 60 Ph.Ds from Beijing University, Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology, No. 3 Army Medical University, Zhongshan Medical University,
Guiyang Medical College, and Stanford University in the United States
have contributed to advancing Beike's treatment technologies. After
conducting trials for human safety and effectiveness, doctors in Zhengzhou
proceeded to treat the first ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also
known as Motor Neuron Disease) patient in 2001. From 2001 to 2005, the
teams treated 200 patients in various studies in order to determine
the effectiveness of the treatment for a small number of end-stage and
otherwise incurable diseases. All of the treated patients had exhausted
conventional treatment options. Incorporation Beike was incorporated
in July 2005 after the collaborating scientists felt confident enough
to begin treating patients with adult stem cells on a commercial scale.
What about the stem cells that Beike uses?
Most cells in the body have a specific function in particular organs,
such as the liver, skin, or brain. Stem cells are relatively undifferentiated
and can still develop into different types of cells. Once they have
done so, in a process called differentiation, they cannot be adapted
for any other function. Stem cells are therefore cells that have not
yet gone through the differentiation process. A stem cell's most notable
characteristic is its ability to reproduce a completely new, normal,
and even younger cell. As a result, people can use their own or someone
else’s stem cells, or stem cell-derived tissues or organs, to
replace ill or aging tissues or organs. This permits treatment of a
wide range of diseases and injuries, many of which cannot be treated
by traditional medical methods. Besides becoming new cells and providing
cell replacement, the major mechanism of stem cells is to provide the
body with paracrine and other cell factors. These help to encourage
the following functions:
1. Immune regulation
2. Reducing cell death
3. Stimulation of growth of the patient’s own stem cells
4. Neo-angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels resulting in increased
blood flow to damaged areas)
5. Reducing scarring
6. Improving the effective conduction of intercellular electrical signals
and transduction
Beike uses stem cells from three sources. These are Umbilical Cord
Blood (UCB), Umbilical Cord, and Autologous Bone Marrow. Our medical
department doctors, after reviewing the patient’s full medical
information, will recommend which stem cell source should be used for
treatment. Our preparation and use of stem cells has been honed through
years of research, testing, and clinical practice.
Where do the stem cells that Beike uses come from?
It is a common practice in China for mothers to donate (with signed
consent) the umbilical cord blood from the birth of their full term
children. Every woman who enters the hospital in China to give birth
is automatically tested for all major diseases including Hepatitis and
HIV. Detailed family histories are also collected from each mother prior
to donation. This represents the first step of the screening process
for donated cord blood. Only women who have been fully screened and
found to be completely healthy are allowed to donate UCB. Once the blood
is donated these samples are sent to the government blood banks. The
second step in the screening process occurs when each sample is tested
upon arrival by the blood bank’s government technicians. Beike
has been allowed, through government oversight and approval, to set
up our own private labs inside the government blood banks and this allows
us to verify the safety measures being taken by the technicians. Once
the blood has tested negative for communicable diseases, it is transferred
to our Beike lab inside the facility and officially becomes the property
of Beike Biotech. From this stage Beike is responsible for each and
every sample that is processed and provided to our patients. The third
step in the screening process is a re-testing of the blood samples by
our own technicians. Once the cord blood samples have passed the testing
phase our processing and culturing of the stem cells begins.
What are the differences between embryonic stem cells and umbilical
cord stem cells?
Stem cells are the building blocks of our body. Embryonic stem cells
are a life, the egg, the embryo. They are considered to be rogue cells
as they are unsure and it is not predictable as to the outcome, they
have been known to cause tumors in several tests. The Umbilical Cord
Stem Cell is from the umbilical cord it is a new pure cell. It is separated
from the blood, so you have only pure new stem cell. There are no blood
markers as this is not a blood product. These umbilical stem cells are
nurtured and put into a body intraveneously or via lumbar puncture.
These umbilical cord stem cells will travel to any damaged area and
generate healthy cellular tissue, they repair the damaged area. Because
this is not a blood product and umbilical cord stem cells are pure it
doesn't make any difference if these umbilical cord stem cells are from
the same person or from a new born baby's umbilical cord from the other
side of the world. What matters is that the body these umbilical cord
blood stem cells is originally taken from has had tests to insure they
are free of any disease or infection.
Why are stem cells important from a medical perspective?
For decades, researchers have been studying the biology of stem cells
to figure out how development works and to find new ways of treating
health problems. Because stem cells can give rise to any tissue found
in the body, they provide nearly limitless potential for medical applications.
Current studies are researching how stem cells may be used to prevent
or cure diseases and injuries such as Parkinson’s disease, type
1 diabetes, heart disease, spinal cord injury, Duchene’s muscular
dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, burns, osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, vision, and hearing loss. Stem cells could also
be used someday to replace or repair tissue damaged by disease or injury.
What is the FDA’s position on Umbilical Cord Blood Stem
Cells?
The FDA has approved the use of these cells for over 80 conditions.
Unfortunately approval for many illnesses and conditions has been slow
to come which is why so many are opting to go outside the U.S. for the
treatment.
Are stem cell transplants from cord blood safe?
Yes, in fact doctors have been using these types of stem cells for over
40 years. The National institute of Health (NIH) has stated that they
have seen no cases of cancer or other health issues in relation to this
type of transplant.
What are the side effects of Stem Cell Transfusions?
The side effects are very minimal. Most common is a slight elevation
in temperature lasting 12 to 24 hours. Some patients also experience
mild to moderate headaches. Many recipients also experience some level
of fatigue for a day or two.
Why the rush? Why not wait until it is available in the U.S.?
The younger the child is while receiving the treatments the better the
results seem to be. It is not known when they will have this treatment
available in the U.S., and even then it may not be open for people with
ONH.
How do we know they work?
Since June 2006, there have been more than 40 children with ONH-SOD
that have undergone stem cell treatments and every child has had positive
results, along with other treated disabilities that have benefited.
How do they work?
Everybody has stem cells in their body. Stem cells are what heals a
cut on your hand. Once you body is injured your brain sends a signal
for proteins to go to that area. These stem cells have a particular
protein strand that has the ability to go to a specific area for vision.
* Thank you to Hopeforhiltonfund.com and Beike Biotechnologies for
the helpful FAQ's on STEM CELLS!
