"Every Month Contains a Miracle"

Today, Cryo-Cell announced its discovery of a new, unique type of stem cell found in menstrual blood that may one day have the potential to treat a number of diseases. With the slogan, "Every Month Contains a Miracle", Cryo-Cell also launched an exclusive and proprietary new service, called C’elle, to enable women to collect and cryopreserve their menstrual stem cells. Some more info from the media press kit:

Menstrual Stem Cells

• Cryo-Cell has discovered unique stem cells in menstrual blood that express multipotent markers of both adult and embryonic stem cells. These menstrual stem cells multiply quickly and can differentiate into other types of cells, including heart, nerve, bone, cartilage and fat, according to early research.
• The menstrual stem cells appear to have characteristics similar to those derived from the uterus (human endometrial stem cells), but they can be easily harvested in a non-invasive manner from menstrual fluid.
• This is the first time researchers have found an adult stem cell that is highly prolific and multipotent (able to differentiate into other cell types), and can also be easily harvested in a painless, non-invasive manner as compared to other stem cell sources such as bone marrow, fat or adult peripheral blood.
• Several leading stem cell researchers have launched preclinical studies to evaluate the potential of these unique menstrual stem cells to treat heart disease, Type 1 diabetes and spinal cord injury.
• Researchers believe that these menstrual stem cells could someday be used treat other serious illnesses, such as osteoporosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and that the cells may even be used for customized anti-aging or sports medicine treatments. However, current research is very preliminary and it may take years to develop widely available clinical therapies.
• Menstrual stem cells’ unique properties, combined with their ease of collection and isolation, mean they could become a breakthrough source of multipotent cells. The need for regenerative therapies incorporating cells that have the ability to engraft and differentiate is vast. The ideal cell would also have the ability to be used in an allogeneic manner, meaning it could be used to treat others with whom there is a genetic match. These cells appear to have all of these properties.
• A summary of research related to the menstrual stem cell can be found at http://www.celle.com/mediaKit.aspx

We've contacted Cryo-Cell to arrange for an interview with one of their experts about the ethical implications, and hope to hear back from them shortly. Stay tuned!