一位從加拿大薩斯喀徹溫省的MS病患遠赴印度做了實驗性的幹細胞療法,主要是由加拿大溫尼伯的一家公司[Regenetek Research]的CEO徵求MS病患去印度施行這樣的手術(印度已經核可)。這手術包含靜脈擴張和幹細胞治療。該CEO也是這個研究的領導人,但是有些病患質疑該CEO的身分而且病人術後的聯繫關懷沒有做好。
A multiple sclerosis patient from
Saskatchewan who travelled to India to undergo an experimental stem cell
treatment is defending the Winnipeg company that recruited her for the
therapy and study, which some have called into question.
Regenetek Research has been under scrutiny following media reports this week about its CEO, Doug Broeska.
Broeska had recruited MS patients
to take part in the experimental and expensive study, which was
administered in India, involving stem cell injections combined with
so-called liberation therapy, which involves the widening of veins in
the neck.
He was, until recently, also the principal researcher for the study related to the treatment.However, some patients have questioned Broeska's qualifications as a researcher. As well, some say the therapy did not work for them, and they were not receive proper followup.
Other patients, like Linda Friesen of Tisdale, Sask., reported having success with the therapy.
"I am shocked right now. I am surprised in what has been said," she told CBC News when asked about the latest allegations.
Friesen said she used to rely on a wheelchair because of her MS and injuries from a car accident, but she left that wheelchair behind at the hospital in India after undergoing the experimental treatment — which cost her $34,000 US — in 2013.
"It's so amazing to have this opportunity to be part of the research," she said in a promotional video produced by Regenetek.
Friesen told CBC News that the company has paid her to help other MS patients in Saskatchewan with their paperwork.
另一位病患 Linda Friesen 則被報導是一個成功的案例。
"聽到那個質疑讓我很震驚",她過去需要倚賴輪椅(因為MS和一場車禍),但是在2013年去了印度花了3萬4千美元做這個手術之後,就不需要輪椅了。能參與這個研究很棒。
另一位病患 Linda Friesen 則被報導是一個成功的案例。
"聽到那個質疑讓我很震驚",她過去需要倚賴輪椅(因為MS和一場車禍),但是在2013年去了印度花了3萬4千美元做這個手術之後,就不需要輪椅了。能參與這個研究很棒。
Regenetek responds
In a statement issued Thursday, Regenetek Research says its stands behind its role in the stem cell therapy study, "namely as researchers tracking participant progress following medical treatment, with such medical treatment having been provided by third-party medical practitioners located in India."Regenetek Research and its researchers do not provide medical treatment in connection with the clinical study," the company's statement reads in part.
"Further, the study was never intended to replace other medical treatment and individuals were directed to stay in contact with their treating physicians. We are scientists simply tracking the progress of participants who have chosen to attempt innovative therapy options and to have their results noted by us for scientific study."
Regenetek公司的聲明全文中的一部分如下:“Regenetek及其研究人員不提供治療與臨床研究”。
“此外,這項研究是從來沒有打算取代其他的治療方式,而每個病患需要和他們的手術醫師保持聯繫。我們科學家只是簡單地追蹤選擇這些創新治療方式手術後的進展,並做一註記。“
Broeska had stated on a LinkedIn profile that he has a PhD from the University of Manitoba, but the university confirmed that neither a Doug Broeska nor a Henry Douglas Broeska graduated from there. The profile has since been removed from the site.
The International Cellular Medicine Society and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba both said they have no record of Broeska as a member.
Broeska has not responded to requests from CBC News for an interview. The company's statement was not signed by him, and it does not directly address specific questions about his credentials.
Broeska has defended his qualifications to another media outlet and in emails to patients.
In one message, obtained by CBC News, he told a patient that his credentials are sound and he is "competent to perform research of this type."
Experts concerned about fallout
Meanwhile, some in the scientific community say they're worried that the fallout from this and other controversies could result in confusion about stem cell research as a whole.Dr. Duncan Stewart of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, which is conducting research on using genetically enhanced stem cells to repair damaged heart muscle, said the field is in its early days and has tremendous promise.
"It only takes one high-profile significant problem to make everyone very nervous," he said.
Tim Caulfield, the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy at the University of Alberta, agrees.
"That's a really good example of how the availability of these treatments, marketing of these treatments, can lead people to believe stem cell therapy is much further along than it really is," he said.
The Canadian Stem Cell Foundation says it wants the federal government to invest $50 million in stem-cell research in each of the next 10 years.
It also wants Ottawa to streamline the process for clinical trials in this country "so that Canadians that are suffering have access to treatments that are safe and proven to be effective," said James Price, the foundation's president and CEO.
原文出處
附上 Regenetek Research Inc 所提供的 影片共三個病人的成功案例
Study Subject: Linda Friesen
Study Subject: Deb O'Connell
Study Subject: Martine Millard
不過也有不好的例子:
Lee Chuckry, 47, of Airdrie, Alta., said he spent $34,000 for the therapy only to find out his MS has worsened.
"I think it's just a big fraudulent scam," he told CBC News on Wednesday.Chuckry, who has been battling MS for over a decade, said the treatment involved the widening of the veins in his neck — a practice advocates call liberation therapy — plus the injection of stem cells into his veins and spinal column.