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Forgotten Ulcer Drug Energizes Stem Cells

Soychemist writes "When cancer patients get a heavy dose of chemotherapy and radiation, it can destroy their bone marrow. Umbilical cords contain stem cells that can regenerate the immune systems of young patients, but usually there are not enough of them to heal an adult. Len Zon, a doctor at Children's Hospital in Boston surmised that there must be a chemical that can make the cord blood stem cells divide, so that there will be enough of them to treat adult patients. He tested 2,500 chemicals on zebrafish embryos, and found one that does the trick. It was once on its way to becoming an ulcer medication, and now doctors are testing it on cord blood units that will be given to leukemia patients."

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  1. Re:Oh the Shocking Crazy Medicine News by amilo100 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hmmm...

    Patens do not really say something about the efficacy of it. So it in most probability does not work. The fact that it is from a second tier university also does not inspire confidence. There are also a lot of patents that are granted but will be removed on re-evaluation.

    Too bad big pharma is pure evil.

    I doubt that it is fair to say that âoebig pharma is evilâ. A lot of people work on it to improve peopleâ(TM)s lives. Of course there are people making money out of it â" but is it wrong? What is worse â" someone who makes money by healing people or a person who makes money out of computer games?