News at a Glance: Promising Stem Cells Discovered in Menstrual Blood; Cryo-Cell Launches World's First-Ever Collection and Storage Service, C'elle

OLDSMAR, Fla., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. Cryo-Cell also launched an exclusive and proprietary new service, called C'elle, to enable women to collect and cryopreserve their menstrual stem cells. Following are key facts and a list of experts from Cryo-Cell and leading academic institutions who are available for comment.

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 C'elle -- Cryo-Cell has launched a proprietary new service, C'elle (pronounced "C-L"), allowing women to collect and store menstrual stem cells - much like the way umbilical cord blood is preserved. -- Any woman who experiences menstruation can use C'elle. The collection process is easy and painless. The specimen is transported to Cryo-Cell's Good Manufacturing Practice/Good Tissue Practice (cGMP/cGTP) laboratory for processing and cryopreservation. -- C'elle is exclusively available from Cryo-Cell International Inc., a global leader in innovative stem cell solutions. Cryo-Cell is the most established family cord blood bank, with 15 years of experience and more than 140,000 clients worldwide. -- More information about C'elle can be found at http://www.celle.com.

Stem Cell Experts Available for Interviews

For more information on C'elle, or to speak with a Cryo-Cell official, please contact Kellie Hotz, (312) 240-2701, kellie.hotz@edelman.com. In addition, several top stem cell researchers and transplant physicians are available for comment:

    -- Dr. Amit N. Patel, Director of Cardiac Stem Cell Therapies at the
       McGowan Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    -- Dr. Gerald Elfenbein, Immunology Professor at Boston University
    -- Dr. Stephen J. Noga, Director of Medical Oncology and Hematology and
       the Cellular Therapeutics Program at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer
       Institute at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Associate Professor of
       Oncology and Pathology at The Johns Hopkins University School of
       Medicine
    -- Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, Distinguished University Professor and Director of
       the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair and Associate Vice
       President/Associate Dean for Biotechnology Development at the
       University Of South Florida College Of Medicine.