MS Society warning over 'stem cell' treatments
02 Dec 2008
The MS Society is warning people with MS of a 'stem cell trial' being marketed from the Seychelles and Dubai due to a lack of current evidence to support a stem cell treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS).
The Society is aware that a company called Integrated BioSciences (IBS), registered in the Turks & Caicos Islands and with offices in the Seychelles, the Persian Gulf and Oxford (UK), is approaching people with MS and is seeking payments in exchange for injections of stem cells.
There is no scientific evidence as yet to support a stem cell treatment in humans to repair MS damage. Some types of stem cell treatment may be hazardous. While there is legitimate stem cell research underway across the world, there is absolutely no evidence to support a treatment of this kind.
On its website, IBS states that this 'stem cell treatment' should not be taken as a treatment or cure for MS. The MS Society therefore advises strongly that all who receive an approach should make careful enquiry as to what exactly is being offered.
IBS does not have EU or US approval to conduct a clinical trial of stem cells for MS. Anyone agreeing to participate in those areas will not have the legal protections that apply to an individual participating in clinical trials that have regulatory approval in the US or EU.
The IBS website does not contain satisfactory information about results analysis, legal responsibility for safety, monitoring, oversight, or insurance against harm and negligence. Anyone agreeing to participate should investigate these matters in greater detail to establish whether or not satisfactory arrangements are in fact in place.
The IBS website contains the following disclaimer: "The treatments implemented in the above listed IBS Clinical Trial Protocols and Pilot Studies or any IBS treatment or re-treatment are experimental biological therapies which are not currently US FDA approved and are not to be construed as a treatment or cure for any degenerative disease, illness, condition or injury."
Anyone approached for a payment should bear that in mind.
Overall, the MS Society would strongly recommend that anyone with MS who is thinking about paying for injections of stem cells should think again.
If you are affected by this, please call our helpline on 0808 800 8000 for support.
The MS Society has reported its concerns to the Department of Health.
There is no scientific evidence as yet to support a stem cell treatment in humans to repair MS damage. Some types of stem cell treatment may be hazardous. While there is legitimate stem cell research underway across the world, there is absolutely no evidence to support a treatment of this kind.
On its website, IBS states that this 'stem cell treatment' should not be taken as a treatment or cure for MS. The MS Society therefore advises strongly that all who receive an approach should make careful enquiry as to what exactly is being offered.
IBS does not have EU or US approval to conduct a clinical trial of stem cells for MS. Anyone agreeing to participate in those areas will not have the legal protections that apply to an individual participating in clinical trials that have regulatory approval in the US or EU.
The IBS website does not contain satisfactory information about results analysis, legal responsibility for safety, monitoring, oversight, or insurance against harm and negligence. Anyone agreeing to participate should investigate these matters in greater detail to establish whether or not satisfactory arrangements are in fact in place.
The IBS website contains the following disclaimer: "The treatments implemented in the above listed IBS Clinical Trial Protocols and Pilot Studies or any IBS treatment or re-treatment are experimental biological therapies which are not currently US FDA approved and are not to be construed as a treatment or cure for any degenerative disease, illness, condition or injury."
Anyone approached for a payment should bear that in mind.
Overall, the MS Society would strongly recommend that anyone with MS who is thinking about paying for injections of stem cells should think again.
If you are affected by this, please call our helpline on 0808 800 8000 for support.
The MS Society has reported its concerns to the Department of Health.
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