Share the Science with Dr. Michael Chez: Stem Cell Therapies for Autism

Odds are that you know someone who has been diagnosed as autistic or suspects such a diagnosis. The person may be a child, adolescent or adult. In 2016, the Center for Disease Control - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network estimated that autism was diagnosed in 1 of every 68 births. In fact, in that same report, they also warned that this number has been on the rise. For those with severe autism, medicine has not provided many answers. But, this could be changing thanks to cord blood stem cells. . . 

UPDATE:  Following this special edition of Share the Science with Dr. Michael Chez, he offered to answered additional questions sent to us based on his presentation. Please find these questions and his detailed responses below. We wish to thank Dr. Chez for generously sharing his expertise and taking the time to answer these additional questions. 

Read the full list of questions and responses below.

Autism: Are we on the verge of a revolution in medicine? 

Save the Cord Foundation and WellSky are proud to welcome Michael G. Chez, M.D. for our next edition of Share the Science on December 12th, 2018. Share the Science is a free webinar series focused on the cord blood industry and the latest research in this field.  As always, we invite both health professionals and the general public to join us for this unique online educational series.

On December 12th, 2018, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Michael Chez will join us for a special edition of #ShareTheScience focused on autism. Dr. Chez's contributions to the world of autism are well known. He is a Professor of Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy, California Northstate University School of Medicine, Associate Professor of Neurology at UC Davis Medical School. He has and continues to lead ground-breaking research using cord blood stem cells to potentially treat autistic patients. As one of the world's leading experts in autism, he is routinely called upon to discuss how patients are commonly diagnosed and treated. 

During a recent interview with PBS, Dr. Chez spoke about the evolution of our understanding of autism. He addressed numerous misunderstandings and myths, including the now debunked theory that vaccines could cause austism. He also discusses the medical establishment's response to autism over the years.

Dr. Chez's passion for understanding autism has led him to research possible treatments using stem cells, namely from cord blood, in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. One of his most recent studies included a pediatric autism trial using a double blinded placebo-controlled study using autologous umbilical cord stem cells. In this study, the child's own cord blood was used (from privately banked cord blood).  ​Results from this ground-breaking research were published earlier this year. Click here to learn more about the study on ClinicalTrials.gov

During his presentation for Share the Science, Dr. Chez present a broad overview of past and current clinical trials applying stem cell therapy to autism spectrum disorders, as well as future therapeutic opportunities. He will explain the theories behind why stem cell therapy may be useful in autism treatment options. He will discuss recent trials using autologous umbilical cord and other stem cell sourced treatments, as well as the results of those trials. He will also look a the risks and safety of, and the limitations found to date in applying, stem cell therapy. ​

REGISTER now to join us for this one-to-one chat with Dr. Chez. Ask your questions directly to him and get the information you need. 

SHARE THE SCIENCE

with Dr. Michael Chez
​
"Stem Cell Therapy in Autism: Experience and Outcomes"
​
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 | 11:00 AM CS

Free online event. Open to the public. Registration required.

​RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE

Click Here to View the RECORDING: Share the Science with Dr. Michael Chez

Dr. Michael Chez Answers Your Questions
Post-conference Question / Answer Session

1. ​According to Dr. Chez's study, any improvement in the child's condition is expected within the first 6 months after infusion?   
   Yes, 3-6 months observation should be fine. 
   
   
2. Any studies on the adult population? 
   One in India - 25yr olds with CSF injections also. 
   
   
3. What side effects did you see in the months after stem cell infusions in the study subjects?
   No significant side effects. 
   
   
4. How important is the immunoregulation function by MSCs to treat this pathology? 
   Unknown for sure -- suspect reduce cytokine triggers of inflammation.
   
   
5. How long do the cells/stem cells persist after the initial infusion?  Are there any plans to do repeat infusions over time?     
   Probably days to 2 weeks based on modeling.
   
   
6. Do you see any application for adults using allogeneic cord blood?
   Yes, potentially in head injury perhaps autism or stroke theoretically.
   
   
7. Would this only be for autism or would it also help for disorders that go along with autism such as SPD?       
   Possibly -- unknown. 
   
   
8. What're your thoughts on roles of allogeneic stem cells on autism?  
   Think they will be safe and work if HLA matched.
   
   
9. You mentioned 20-30% MSC in cord blood. This seems high compared to other publications.  How did you quantify MSC in your samples?   
   This was based on assay from CBR I believe. 
   
   
10. Can I ask about about safety of exosomes derived from stem cells? 
    Again, theoretical but assume safe but need research to confirm.
    

About the Speaker

​Dr. Chez is a board-certified child neurologist and fellowship-trained pediatric epileptologist who has pioneered research in epilepsy treatment and epilepsy surgery monitoring, and the use of alternative therapies to treat autism. 

Dr. Chez received his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine and served his internship and residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded a fellowship in child neurology at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, and a fellowship in epilepsy at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. Dr. Chez has been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with special competence in child neurology. 

* * *
​
​We wish to thank Dr. Michael Chez for volunteering his time to speak on
Share the Science and sharing his valuable insight on cord blood stem cell therapies.
We also wish to thank our generous sponsor and partner for this event,
WellSky Health, who continue to support cord blood
education through our “Share the Science” series.