Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Heart Patients January 21, 2007
Posted by TheraVitae in : Press Releases, Regenocyte™ in the News , trackbackCOLLIER COUNTY: Three Naples men went to the extreme for a second chance at life. But is what they call medicine’s next new miracle too risky to be true?
Sixty one year old David Fogue had 30 days to live.
“Pick out a casket, get it ready,” said Fogue.
Mel Forbis, 72, was given 7 months to live.
Two years ago, doctors told 49 year old Neim Malo by 55 he would be gone.
“Getting my will, setting up trusts,” said Malo.
All three Naples men suffered from different, severe heart conditions, but all had the same prognosis.
Then one trip changed everything.
“I’m feeling better, I feel more energy,” said Malo.
They’ll tell you they haven’t only found the fountain of youth, they drank the water and would do it again.
“I know I have something to look forward to now,” said Malo.
Desperate for a cure and with little left to lose, they each traveled nearly 10,000 miles to Bangkok, Thailand. There they had a procedure where millions of stem cells, from their own bodies, were re-harvested and injected into their hearts.
The procedure isn’t cheap. It costs upwards of $40,000.
“It was the best deal I ever made,” said Fogue.
Dr. Zannos Grekos is a Naples cardiologist and believer in the cutting edge adult stem cell therapy for heart patients who meet strict approval standards.
“There needs to be a need, this is not for patients who just want stem cells,” said Grekos.
What he’s seeing in patients like Forbis, Fogue and Malo isn’t just heart improvement but full body healing.
“I’ve had patients where diabetes was cured, I’ve had stage three kidney failure that isn’t failing, I’ve had bald patients get their hair back,” said Grekos.
Unlike stem cells taken from human embryos, the issue of adult stems isn’t as controversial, but it is still questionable.
While doctors see promise in the use of adult stem cells, little testing has been done, so many doctors aren’t ready to give this new therapy the thumps up.
Nor is the FDA which hasn’t approved this treatment in the United States.
“You need a large number of patients to make conclusions,” said Naples Cardiologist Dr. Julian Javier.
Javier is one doctor with a message of caution.
“I think this is revolutionary what it can do to the medical field, but at this time, I don’t recommend it until there’s more scientific proof of what’s happening,” said Javier.
Dr. Grekos estimates adult stem cell therapy will not be available in the U.S. for at least another 4 to 6 years. He’s heading up a plan to bring this procedure closer to home, possibly to the Caribbean or Europe.
To find out more about adult stem cell therapy go to vascell.com or theravitae.com.
Naples Cardiologist Dr. Zannos Grekos will hold a free seminar on January 31st at the Hyatt at Coconut Point at 11:30 am. Dr. Grekos and some patients will be speaking. Reservations are required. Call toll free 1-866-216-5710.
