After FDA Approval, Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy Patient Receives First Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Treatment in the United States
Ryan Benton, a 28 year-old Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy patient from Wichita, Kansas, received his first umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment yesterday following US FDA approval of his doctor’s application for a single patient, investigational new drug (IND) for compassionate use.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rapidly progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in boys. It is caused by an alteration (mutation) in a gene, called the DMD gene, which causes the muscles to stop producing the protein dystrophin. Individuals who have DMD experience progressive loss of muscle function and weakness, which begins in the lower limbs and leads to progressively worsening disability. Death usually occurs by age 25, typically from lung disorders. There is no known cure for DMD.
This trial, officially entitled “Allogeneic transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) for a single male patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)” marks the first time the FDA has approved an investigational allogeneic stem cell treatment for Duchenne’s in the United States.
Ryan received his first intramuscular stem cell injections from allergy and immunology specialist, Van Strickland, M.D at Asthma and Allergy Specialists in Wichita, Kansas. He will receive 3 more treatments this week on consecutive days. Dr. Strickland will administer similar courses to Ryan every 6 months for a total of 3 years.
This is not the first time Ryan has undergone umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Since 2009, Ryan has been traveling to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama for similar treatments. Encouraging results from these treatments prompted Dr. Strickland to seek out a way to treat Ryan in the United States.
The stem cell technology being utilized in this trial was developed by renowned stem cell scientist Neil H. Riordan, PhD. Dr. Riordan is the founder and president of the Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama and Medistem Panama. Medistem Panama is providing cell harvesting and banking services for their US-based cGMP laboratory partner.
Funding for this trial is being provided by the Aidan Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Riordan in 2004 to provide financial assistance for alternative therapies to people like Ryan.
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I have Crohn’s disease and I am interested in adult stem cell. What can I do to learn more? Who can I contact?
Could you share the gene test results for your tem cell patient, Ryan Benton?
Thanks, I am very interested and see many patients with dystrophinopathy who may be interested.
Dear Dr. Riordan and your team
I am a psychotherapist in Toronto, Canada. I have a client with FSHD. I am following all the latest research on treatments for MD. I have been extremely excited about the news that you have facilitated stem cell treatments in Panama and now in Kansas for Mr. Bryan Benton who has DMD.It would mean everything to me and my client if she could possibly get a consultation appointment with you or your team member in USA (or Panama).
Sincere thanks,
Vesna Iljic
May I email you directly? I’ve been to Panama twice now, talk with Sam Harrell who came down with Judy LeQoc! After 3 times he is walking again. I want that! Wheelchair bound (MS), ex extreme athlete!
Best
Scotty
Dear Dr. Neil Riordan
My name is Alon Hazan, my son Jonathan was diagnosed with the Duchenne disorder. Jonathan is currently 10 years old and at last we believe we have a real chance to save him. I am part of a collective group of parents whose children also suffer from this Incurable disease, in order to find a cure we have established a non-governmental organization called ADI (http://www.adi-md.co.il/). A significant part of the organization activity is to support research dealing with new strategies to help our children. We believe that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells can help find a cure for our children.
Currently, we have started researching a possible treatment for the disorder by using mesenchymal stem cells derived from cord or placenta, with the aim of using it as a compassion treatment for our kids. We will be extremely grateful if you will agree to share with us some of your knowledge and experience in this filed.
If you agree, I will tell our scientific project manager, Dr. Ariel Bier (arielbier@gmail.com), to contact with you.
Sincerely
Alon