Stem Cells

Consider this: you have a heart attack. Doctors treat you and stabilize your condition. But your damaged heart tissue cannot repair itself, and over time can lead to heart failure. 

This is one of many problems that the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute was built to solve. 

Our researchers use adult stem cells derived from bone marrow or umbilical cord (called mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs) to reverse this damage. Rather than simply managing the aftermath of a heart attack, cell-based therapy targets the injury itself. I completed trials, MSC infusions have demonstrated measurable heart rejuvenation and omproved cardiac function in patients. We are now advancing the next generation of this work, including NIH-funded research into exosome-based treatments following heart attack.

This approach extends far beyond cardiology. Active clinical trials at ISCI are currently investigating cell-based therapies for stroke, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, ischemic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, pulmonary disease, and spinal cord injury.

The underlying vision is the same across all of these areas: move beyond managing disease, and start reversing it!

The stem cells used in ISCI research are adult stem cells, isolated from bone marrow or umbilical cord tissue, with no risk to donors and no involvement of embryonic tissue. When extracted and cultured under specific laboratory conditions, these cells can develop into a range of tissue types such as, muscle, bone, and cardiac cells, making them a powerful and ethically sound platform for regenerative medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the primary cell type used in our clinical research program. They carry unique surface markers that distinguish them from other types of stem cell, and they are capable of differentiating into functional, integrated cells that can perform the same roles as those lost to disease or injury.

Stem Cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to differentiate into a variety of different cell types. Most in the news are embryonic stem cells, derived from terminated embryos, but our researchers use stem cells that are isolated from adult bone marrow, with no risk to the donor. In particular, for heart repair, we use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are found in bone marrow, in muscle, skin and adipose tissue. They are able to differentiate into a number mesenchymal tissues, such as muscle, fibroblasts, bone, tendon, ligament and adipose tissue. They express signature markers that are unique, and easily distinguished from those of hematopoeitic and other types of stem cells.

ISCI was established in 2007 at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine with a single driving mission: to translate discoveries in stem cell biology into real treatments for patients with conditions that currently have no cure.

To date, more than 700 patients have enrolled in ISCI-led clinical trials. Our work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and philanthropic supporters, and all research conducted in humans is carried out under the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Our research programs span cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes, cancer, sports medicine, pulmonary disease, and ophthalmology. By bringing together physicians, basic scientists, and clinical trial specialists under one roof, ISCI has built an environment where laboratory breakthroughs move rapidly toward patient care; and the things we learn from treating patients directly informs our scientific approach.

A Clinical Trial is a carefully organized and controlled research study designed to test the safety and effectiveness of a new therapy, treatment, or medical device used for the first time for a particular medical condition. Clinical trials represent a partnership between doctors and patients working together to answer specific questions about diseases and involves people who voluntarily give informed consent to serve as research participants – without whom the research simply could not take place. Although volunteering for research does not guarantee a benefit, people who take part in clinical trials make important contributions to the progress toward new disease treatments. Researchers at ISCI are currently enrolling participants for several clinical trials for a variety of different diseases. By participating in a stem cell clinical trial, participants have the opportunity to assist us in discovering new ways to treat disease and improve patient health and wellbeing.

ISCI is actively enrolling patients for clinical trials across a range of conditions. Participating in a trial gives you access to emerging therapies while directly contributing to research that may benefit future patients. The safety of every participant is our first priority, and all studies adhere to the strictest FDA and institutional standards.

If you or someone you know would like to participate in a stem cell clinical trial (or would like more information about participating), please send us a message at iscistudyinfo@miami.edu or call us at 305-243-7444. We’ll need to know your name, diagnosis, and contact information (email or phone number).

To participate as a healthy volunteer, please visit: umiamihealthresearch.org