US researchers have successfully tested the method of mixing a
woman's stem cells with her body fat to partly-regenerate breasts
after partial masectomies, it was announced on Sunday.
Researchers from the Cytori Therapeutics company in San Diego
announced the results of a study on 21 women in Japan, who
underwent partial breast removals and, at the same time, had some
of their stem cells and body fat removed, according to a company
report. A year later, regenerated tissue and body fat was used as
doctors re-engineered the lost breast tissue.
The company told cancer researchers meeting in San Antonio,
Southern California that none of the 21 women have shown signs of
cancer spreading or any tissue rejection for a year after their
lumpectomies.
In a statement, Cytori said it isolated those stem cells with
its Celution System using tissue taken from the women during their
cancer operations. Because the women were injected with stem cells
from their own bodies, there were no issues with tissue
rejection.
The company said there was a "statistically significant
improvement in average breast tissue thickness."
"This clinical series is an exciting, early development for
women with breast cancer who undergo partial mastectomy," said the
company's president Marc H. Hedrick.
Cytori said it will conduct two clinical studies in Europe by
Cytori to further evaluate adipose-derived stem and regenerative
cells.
Human fat is one of the body's richest and most accessible
sources of regenerative cells, the company said, and include adult
stem cells in addition to other important cell types that can
improve volume retention and graft persistence, the company
said.
The announcement is making national headlines. The Chicago
Tribune quoted a plastic surgeon at the University of Chicago, Dr.
David Song, as saying "there could definitely be promise here."
Cytori Therapeutics is developing its Celution System as a means
of regenerative cell banking.
(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2007)
