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Porn's tragic curse: Kylie Page is seventh X-rated star to die of drug-related causes in last three years
Porn's tragic curse: Kylie Page is seventh X-rated star to die of drug-related causes in last three years

New York Post

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • New York Post

Porn's tragic curse: Kylie Page is seventh X-rated star to die of drug-related causes in last three years

The adult film industry is once again mourning the overdose death of one of its young stars — and experts say rampant drug use behind the scenes is only one of porn's many tragic trappings. Research finds adult performers engage in a host of risky behaviors, including substance abuse, and that female performers are more likely than male actors to be exposed to drugs. In the last three years, at least six female porn actresses have succumbed to the deadly lifestyle. The lifeless body of Kylie Page, 28, was found inside her Hollywood apartment on June 25. Advertisement 7 Kylie Page became the latest casualty to the trappings of the adult industry. Instagram/@therealkyliepagex Police went to check on the Oklahoma-bred actress after a concerned friend hadn't heard from her in some time. Page starred in films such as 'Frisky Freshman' and 'Naughty Bookworms' and was in the 2017 Netflix mini-series about the porn industry, 'Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On.' Advertisement Her estimated worth was just over $1 million. 7 Page was known as a 'kind, loving, wonderful person.' Instagram/@therealkyliepagex Cops reported finding fentanyl and drug paraphernalia inside Page's home, and believe she died from an accidental overdose. Amy-Marie Merrell, co-executive director of the Cupcake Girls, a non-profit that connects adult performers with mental health resources, said Page was known as a 'kind, loving, wonderful person.' Advertisement The majority of studies on the mental health effects of pornography have centered around viewers, not the talent. The limited amount of research on performers indicates female participants generally experience worse mental health than women surveyed at random. 'Evidence suggests alcohol and drug use is higher among adult film performers — women, in particular,' concluded a study by Dr. Corita Grudzen, who now works at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While there are many 'pathways' to drug use in porn, the findings revealed the minority come into the industry already addicted — and use the money they earn as a performer to support their habit. 'Some developed drug habits as a result of their social network, and some used drugs as a means to cope with the stress, stigma, and emotional repercussions of their performing,' Grudzen wrote in 2008. Advertisement Depression, post traumatic stress disorder, self-esteem issues, anxiety, stress, poor body image, and suicidal thoughts are not uncommon for them, Grudzen noted. The tragic body count includes: 7 Angelina Please angelinaplease/Instagram Angelina Please Trans adult performer Angelina Please was found dead in her Las Vegas apartment on March 15, 2022 — nearly a week after she was reported missing. The 24-year-old from Chicago died from an accidental overdose after ingesting fentanyl-laced cocaine, coroners determined. Please's mother, Francesca Montalbano, insisted she was not suicidal. 'She'd been clean from meth for over a year but she was still dabbling in party drugs,' the mourning mom said. 'I could tell her until I was blue in the face not to do it, and why you shouldn't do it, but she would just hide it from me and I didn't want her to do that.' Porn star Aspen Brooks found Please's body; they were friends and neighbors. 'I'm at a loss for words. Went to go check up on my friend after she had been missing, only to find out we lost an amazing person. One of my best friends.' She was nominated as Trans Performer of the Year at the 2022 AVN Awards. Sophie Anderson Advertisement 7 Sophie Anderson Instagram Popular UK porn star and internet personality Sophie Anderson was 36 on Nov. 30, 2023, when she died from a fatal overdose of the club drug GHB — days after her husband, fellow adult entertainer Oliver Spedding, also OD'd on the same drug. The Bristol-born Anderson, who also modeled under the name Karen Cook — and become a breakout star with 'The House of Taboo' — was found dead at a Travelodge near London with enough of the drug in her system to kill 10 people, authorities said. Friends said she was abused by Spedding in the months prior to his death, and that she told them police would not take her claims against him seriously. Former porn actress Rebecca More took to Instagram after her death, and called Anderson 'the bubbly, funny, kind hearted soul who was outrageous on the outside but also so gentle behind closed doors.' Advertisement 7 Sophia Leone xosophialeone/Instagram Sophia Leone Adult film star Sophia Leone's died of an overdose March 1, 2024, in her Albuquerque, New Mexico, apartment. After initial suspecting foul play, Albuquerque police confirmed months later that the Miami-born Leone, 26, who struggled with alcohol dependency, accidentally overdosed, but never disclosed what drug killed her. 'You were nothing but genuine and kind to me and made me laugh,' offered adult star Penelope Woods in a tribute to Leone. 'It truly angers me that you were taken from this world.' Advertisement Her stepfather, Mike Romero, said at the time her unexpected death 'left her family and friends devastated and in shock.' He said she 'was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and friend. She had a deep love for all animals, specifically her three pets. She enjoyed travelling and always found ways to make everyone around her smile.' Jesse Jane Blonde bombshell Jesse Jane managed to cross over into mainstream TV and film roles before she died of an accidental overdose in early 2024. She and her boyfriend were found dead inside his Oklahoma home. The X-rated actress, 43, had deadly levels of cocaine and fentanyl in her blood stream. Jane appeared on the HBO show 'Entourage' and in Nick Swanson's film 'Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star.' She also acted alongside 'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer in 2009's 'Middle Men.' Advertisement Porn publicist Brian Gross told Jane was 'a vivacious person who had an absolute and ultimate love for life. There is not one person in the adult industry who didn't spend time with her, whether onset or in a social setting, that she didn't make smile or laugh or both. She would light up a room as soon as she walked in. Her laugh would echo wherever she was.' 7 Jesse Jane Getty Images Kagney Linn Karter Porn star Kagney Linn Karter was in recovery for unspecified substances when she committed suicide in 2024. The 36-year-old spoke openly about her battles with addiction. The 'Lonely Wives Club' star died inside her Parma, Ohio, home from a self-inflicted gun wound. She had no drugs in her system, coroners later confirmed, but friends said she lived with mental illness. 'Unfortunately, despite all of her many impressive accomplishments and talents, Kagney struggled with mental health issues as the years passed by,' said Megan Lee, who owns a pole dancing studio in Cleveland. 'As alone as she undoubtedly felt within the confines of her own head, she continued to make an effort to show up for her friends and the community who cared about her,' said Lee, who inspired Karter to open her own pole dancing studio in Akron. 'She fought her own battles with the same tenacity and drive she showed in every other area of her life, with as much strength as she could.' 7 Kagney Linn Carter. picture alliance via Getty Images Merrell insisted drug and alcohol use affects people in all industries.'I think when it comes to drug use and why many people might turn to drugs for emotional support, folks in the adult industry aren't all the same,' said Merrell. 'People in the adult industry are not a monolith. 'When talking about drug use, people will say, 'Oh, well, they were in the adult entertainment industry — that's why it happened,' Merrell said. 'But that's oversimplifying the issue.'

How Herbal Medicine Can Be Integrated Into Treatment for Added Benefits
How Herbal Medicine Can Be Integrated Into Treatment for Added Benefits

Epoch Times

time10-07-2025

  • Health
  • Epoch Times

How Herbal Medicine Can Be Integrated Into Treatment for Added Benefits

At first glance, herbal medicine may seem very different from conventional medicine. Nevertheless, both approaches often complement each other in modern health care settings. Within the integrative medicine service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), for example, the worlds of herbal and cutting-edge conventional medicine work together. There is a board-certified clinical herbal pharmacist who works directly with physicians and patients to assist with all herbal questions and recommend herbal treatments. The pharmacist also manages the herbal formulary list, which consists of several traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal formulas used to manage symptoms of disease, along with several other supplements such as turmeric, ginger, and turkey tail mushrooms.

Lymphoma Research Foundation Awards 24 Grants to Next Generation of Lymphoma Scientists to Advance Critical Research
Lymphoma Research Foundation Awards 24 Grants to Next Generation of Lymphoma Scientists to Advance Critical Research

Yahoo

time04-06-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Lymphoma Research Foundation Awards 24 Grants to Next Generation of Lymphoma Scientists to Advance Critical Research

Foundation Underscores Commitment to Lymphoma Research with Multi-Million Dollar Investment NEW YORK, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Lymphoma Research Foundation, the nation's largest nonprofit organization devoted to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community, has awarded 24 new research grants in 2025. These grants, totaling $2.7 million, will support cutting-edge investigations aimed at improving lymphoma diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. Each year, the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) identifies and funds the most promising lymphoma research projects conducted by leading scientists and early-career investigators from top institutions across the country. The 2025 grantee class encompasses 16 medical and academic institutions, with research initiatives investigating a range of lymphoma subtypes and scientific disciplines including CAR T cell therapy, microenvironment analysis, and treatments for relapsed/refractory patients. "The research funded through these grants represents the forefront of lymphoma discovery and innovation," said Ann LaCasce, MD Chair of the Foundation's Scientific Advisory Board. "These projects have the potential to transform our understanding of the disease and lead to new, more effective treatment strategies for patients." Since lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are considered rare diseases, it receives disproportionately less federal and philanthropic funding for research than other types of cancer. The Foundation's grant program plays a crucial role in accelerating discoveries and fostering the next generation of lymphoma experts. Since its inception 30 years ago, the Foundation has committed more than $82 million to research grants that have led to significant advancements in lymphoma care and treatment options. "By investing in the brightest minds in lymphoma research, we continue to drive progress toward better treatment options and, ultimately, a cure," said Meghan Gutierrez, Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation. "We are honored to support these researchers whose work will bring hope to patients and families affected by lymphoma." Clinical Career Development Award (CDA) Jordan Goldstein, MD - Leland Stanford Junior University Paola Ghione, MD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Robert Stuver, MD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant Pantaleo De Simone, MD - Columbia Medical Center Kazuya Fuksawa, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Condon Family Fellow) Michelle Lee, MD, PhD - Emory University Etienne Leveille, MD - Yale University Tianfang Ma, PhD - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Health Equity Initiative) Daniela Magliulo, PhD - Weill Cornell Medicine Priya Lakra, PhD - MD Anderson Cancer Center (Health Equity Initiative) Paurnima Patil, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Oliver W. Press, MD, PhD Memorial Fellow) Pierre Stephan, MD, PhD - Brigham and Women's Hospital (Pfizer Fellow) Maria White, PhD - The University of North Carolina Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program Clinical Research Scholars Mengyan Di, MD, PhD - University of Washington (Runge Lymphoma Project Scholar) Eduardo Edelman Saul, MD - MD Anderson Cancer Center Mallorie Heneghan, MD - The University of Utah (The Kellie and Jeff Fellinge Scholar) Jennifer Huang, MD, PhD - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Kanti R. Rai, MD Clinical Scholar) Alex Niu, MD - Roswell Park Cancer Institute (Eric A. Cohen Distinguished Scholar) Evelyn Orlando, MD - Weill Cornell Medicine (Kaine Family Scholar) Laboratory/Translational Research Scholars Casey Bermack, MD, PhD - MD Anderson Cancer Center (Stephanie A. Gregory, MD, FACP Distinguished Scholar) Chengfeng Bi, MD, PhD - University of Nebraska Medical Center Dustin McCurry, MD - MD Anderson Cancer Center (Morton Coleman, MD Innovation Fund Scholar) Alexandra Rojek, MD - The University of Chicago (The Kristie Blum, MD Scholar) Herman van Besien, MD - Weill Cornell Medicine Media Contact Nichole Musumeci, Lymphoma Research Foundation, 2123492390, nmusumeci@ Twitter View original content: SOURCE Lymphoma Research Foundation Sign in to access your portfolio

THIS diet can delay the progression of cancer, experts reveal
THIS diet can delay the progression of cancer, experts reveal

Time of India

time03-06-2025

  • Health
  • Time of India

THIS diet can delay the progression of cancer, experts reveal

A recent pilot study reveals that a high-fiber, plant-based diet can significantly improve metabolic health and gut microbiome diversity, potentially delaying cancer progression. Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found this diet particularly beneficial for individuals at risk of multiple myeloma. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. According to the World Health Organization, about 1 in 5 people develop cancer in their lifetime, and approximately 1 in 9 men and 1 in 12 women die from the disease. Diet plays a significant role in cancer prevention. A new clinical trial has now found that a certain diet can improve health markers that could delay progression to cancer. The pilot study, led by researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, found that a diet significantly improved metabolic health, inflammation markers, and gut microbiome diversity, all of which play a role in cancer progression. The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2025, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held in Orlando. Diet to fight myeloma The clinical trial suggests that a high-fiber plant-based diet could benefit patients at risk for developing multiple myeloma, the second most common type of blood cancer. The study found that this diet was also linked to improvement in certain factors that can potentially delay the progression of precancerous conditions that can lead to multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma often starts with early, non-cancerous conditions that involve abnormal plasma cells. Lifestyle factors such as a high body weight, a poor-quality diet, and an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria have been shown to increase the risk of it progressing to multiple myeloma. 'With cancers being detected earlier and precancerous states identified more frequently, there is a growing opportunity to understand how modifiable risk factors, like diet and lifestyle, affect cancer progression. Our results highlight the importance of improved dietary quality in early disease states and could provide guidance for future clinical trials,' Francesca Castro, a clinical research dietitian at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, said in a statement. Nutrition and cancer The researchers have stressed the importance of diet in decreasing the risks of cancer . 'With everything that patients cannot control during and before cancer treatment, studying diet provides an opportunity for patients to make a difference in their disease risk and the potential success of their treatment. Our study shows the power of nutrition in the preventative setting and showcases the potential to give patients a sense of agency in their diagnosis,' Urvi A. Shah, MD, a physician scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and principal investigator for the research said. The study The trial included 20 patients with elevated body mass index and precancerous markers for multiple myeloma. Participants followed a 12-week high-fiber, plant-based meal plan, along with 24 weeks of tailored nutritional counseling, and were monitored over 52 weeks. The participants were encouraged to eat to satiety as long as they consumed whole plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. Refined grains, animal products, added sugar and highly processed foods were avoided from the diet. The researchers found that the high-fiber, plant-based diet contributed to dietary adherence and weight loss. Prior to the study, only 20% of total calories came from high-fiber plant-based foods, whereas by the end of the 12 weeks, that number jumped to 91%. The median BMI dropped by 7% by the end of 12 weeks and this weight loss was sustained at 1 year. Two patients experienced a slowing of disease progression, while progression remained stable in the others. Trump's Health Secrets EXPOSED? Nearly HALF of America Thinks Prez is HIDING Medical Truths | WATCH 'Our study had diverse racial enrollment as well as a comprehensive dietary and biomarker evaluation. Our comprehensive analysis of improved immune and metabolic response suggests that a high-fiber plant-based diet can also reduce risk for cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions,' Shah said. Takeaway Most people consume less than the recommended daily fibre. The researchers suggest setting realistic daily goals and focusing on one meal at a time, to boost fiber in the diet. 'Think about what foods you can add or swap to increase fiber intake. It can be very simple, like adding a piece of fruit at the end of a meal or swapping out a refined grain for a whole grain. Eating more fiber can lower risk for many other conditions and can improve overall health, beyond just reducing cancer risk,' Castro said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change

A potential new treatment for Parkinson's shows early promise
A potential new treatment for Parkinson's shows early promise

USA Today

time30-05-2025

  • Health
  • USA Today

A potential new treatment for Parkinson's shows early promise

A potential new treatment for Parkinson's shows early promise | The Excerpt On a special episode (first released on May 29, 2025) of The Excerpt podcast: Parkinson's is a disease that afflicts an estimated 90,000 Americans every year. Dr. Lorenz Studer and Dr. Viviane Tabar of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, joined USA TODAY The Excerpt to share more about a new stem cell-based therapy that creates nerve cells. The treatment is showing early promise. Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text. Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here Karen Weintraub: Hello, and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub. Today is Thursday, May 29th, and this is a special episode of The Excerpt. You've no doubt heard of the chemical dopamine. It's often referenced as part of the brain's reward system when we do something pleasurable. Dopamine, or a lack thereof, also plays a critical role in the onset of Parkinson's, a disease that afflicts an estimated 90,000 Americans every year. Treatment for Parkinson's focuses on managing its many symptoms, as there is no cure. But a new stem cell therapy developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for advanced Parkinson's is showing early promise. What's behind this incredible discovery and just how hopeful should patients be? Here to talk about this exciting new treatment and its impact on patients are the two physicians who helped make it a reality. Dr. Viviane Tabar and Dr. Lorenz Studer. Drs. Tabar and Studer, thanks so much for joining The Excerpt. Dr. Tabar, when someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, what exactly is happening to their brain and their body? Dr. Viviane Tabar: Well, we think that at the time an individual is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, they have already experienced degeneration or loss of a large number of their dopamine neurons. We are all born with a limited number of large, beautiful dopamine neurons that live in our brainstem and that project to multiple areas in the brain. They're involved in a lot of intricate activities, but an important element of their function is to modulate movement. So the individual very commonly will come to clinical attention because of movement difficulties, albeit there are other symptoms, loss of smell, gastrointestinal symptoms, difficulties with sleep, and it's a complex picture. But it's important to remember that at the time they receive this diagnosis, which today is still vastly made on a clinical basis, on an examination of the individual and listening to their symptoms, they have already lost probably 50% or more of their dopamine neurons and their projections. A potential new treatment for Parkinson's shows early promise A new stem cell-based therapy creates cells that make dopamine, a chemical that's critical to the disease. Karen Weintraub: And what are some of the everyday challenges your patients face? You mentioned motor control, cognitive issues also I think? Dr. Viviane Tabar: For the majority of patients, and keep in mind that Parkinson's is a disease that spans a variety of symptoms and spectrum of progression and intensity, for most patients it starts with manageable symptoms that they control well, could be a tremor, could be some stiffness in their gait. And for the majority, I would say cognitive change comes late, assuming a proper diagnosis of Parkinson's. So it becomes paradoxically even more problematic because it starts interfering with activities of daily living, your ability to get to and from your job. You're still high-performing, but you are impaired gradually. And you're fully cognitively there often, and so you're very aware of the slow degeneration that's essentially relentless. Karen Weintraub: And you mentioned jobs. Are people affected by Parkinson's primarily older, retiree age, or are there other groups at risk as well? Dr. Viviane Tabar: We didn't say necessarily retirees. Parkinson's, the sporadic form of it, which is the most common form, I mean by that the form that's not inherited, that happens commonly in the sixties or later. But nowadays, people in their fifties and sixties are considered at their prime still at work. Karen Weintraub: And others who are affected, we think of Michael J. Fox who is certainly younger when he started developing symptoms. Dr. Viviane Tabar: There are forms of Parkinson's that occur in a younger individual at a younger average age, and that is commonly related to specific mutations. And so the majority of Parkinson's disease occurs what we call sporadically, so without a hereditary or identified specific mutation that we are aware of. But some is related to a mutation, and those tend to occur at a younger age, but that's not the majority. Karen Weintraub: And is it clear what causes Parkinson's? You mentioned the neurons, but is there still some mystery there, and can the causes vary from person to person? Dr. Viviane Tabar: There is a lot of mystery. So in simple terms, we do not know the etiology of Parkinson's disease very specifically. Many things have been invoked, the environment, environmental toxins, a genetic predisposition outside of the genetic forms of the disease. And we can talk a lot about some exciting science trying to dissect what's going on, the role of inflammation, et cetera. But the short answer to your question is we're not able today to tell a patient what caused their Parkinson's, again, outside the relatively uncommon hereditary forms. Karen Weintraub: And can you walk us a little bit through how Parkinson's progresses over time? Is there a sort of a path, many paths, what does that look like? Dr. Viviane Tabar: So yes, there are many paths, but let's take an average situation. The patient would reach out to a physician, eventually come to the attention of a neurologist, they're examined, their brain scan is obtained. In the case of Parkinson's, often that scan is fine and normal to age and the symptoms are identified often, as we said earlier, motor symptoms. The common situation is that they get started on a form of dopamine that can reach the brain, and that makes them feel better and that is often referred to as the honeymoon period. And that goes on for a few years where the patient is almost back to normal but dependent on the medicine. And as time goes by, the disease process is such that they are losing more and more of their dopamine neurons. And at some point we start or the treating neurologist starts escalating the dose of the medication. And there are other medications that can support that. But essentially within a few years or several years depending, they reach a point where they're starting to experience side effects from the medication and a shortening of the periods where they are feeling okay and functioning. And that is where we start getting stuck in that there are no new medications that, I shouldn't say no new medications, there's always new medications, no formulations that try to extend the ability to help the individual. But you clearly plateau in terms of the effectiveness of pharmacological therapy for a lot of patients, not all. There are options that are surgical like inserting electrodes that is called deep brain stimulation, which will work for some patients. But we reach a point where the patient has lost most of their dopaminergic neurons and there is not much more that can be offered today to help the individual. Hence, the idea of what if we could replace those degenerated dopamine neurons? Karen Weintraub: Which brings us to Dr. Studer. Dr. Studer, when did you first think about using stem cells as a possible way to treat Parkinson's? Dr. Lorenz Studer: Well, it's really a very long story. In fact, it's I think nearly three decades when we first had the idea of doing so, which was the question, "Now, can we really replace cells in the brain and what will be the right source?" In fact, that was the goal of my laboratory starting 25 years ago, finding exactly what's the source of dopamine neurons. The challenge is how do you make this very, very specific nerve cell in the brain? And so that was a long journey, took us at least 10 years of basic research to understand, now what is the code of development? It's a little bit like trying to go through the steps that the cells go in normal development, but give them those signals one by one in a culture dish. And so it's a little bit like a code that we need to decipher and then to apply to the cells. And by 2011, we could do that finally in a study that showed that we did a good job because when we implant those cells back into a mouse, in a rat or in a monkey model of Parkinson's disease, we see benefit in that model. And that really then opened up the whole next new step, now can we do that not just in a animal model, but maybe eventually in humans? That was what they call the proof of concept. But then obviously it was not a long journey to get to the ultimate clinical patient. Karen Weintraub: And how might the stem cell therapies transform the treatment landscape? What opportunities does this offer? And are there specific symptoms that you expect to get better or everything or certain symptoms? Dr. Lorenz Studer: The dopamine acts primarily on the movement-related symptoms. That's the area where we think we can make the biggest impact. Whether it's also going to affect all the symptoms, it's more questionable. Now, for example, again, we said the patients can have loss of smell, they can have problems with severe constipation, and at later stage of the disease, cognitive issues. And at this point we don't have a good reason to believe that this therapy will also help with those symptoms. This has to be tested. It could be indirect effects, but the main effect we expect is that the movement disorder should improve. Again, we don't want to overstate it, but in a dream scenario, it would be you have still Parkinson's disease, so you cannot cure Parkinson's disease, but maybe if it worked, ideally you could cure the movement disorder component of Parkinson's disease. And so I think that's really what we are trying to develop with this type of cell therapy. And maybe in the future this will open up the same approach for all the cell types that might affect all the symptoms as well. So it's also kind of opening up the door to many other cell therapies in Parkinson's itself and maybe in other diseases as well, because it's one of the first cases now where really you actually replacing nerve cells in the brain, which sounds like a little bit of a science fiction approach. But I think this is one of the first examples where we really tried to attempt that and hopefully opening the door now for applications in the future. Karen Weintraub: And you said we can't call this a cure, obviously it's early days, but what would it take to get to a cure? More cell types? Dr. Lorenz Studer: Yeah. I think, because again, Parkinson's has more than just a movement disorder. So all that's not just movement-related, there is late stages cognitive problems, gastrointestinal problems, sleep problems, and those are unlikely to be treated with this cell type. So what you can envisage is yes, well, maybe you would have additional cell types that can attack that, or ideally, you brought that up now, what causes Parkinson's disease, it'll be a complementary approach where you would give the cells back, because many dopamine cells are already lost by the time you're diagnosed. So you get that movement-related symptoms hopefully restored, but at the same time, you'll find, like the whole field, many thousands researchers try to do that, find a therapy that can slow down or stop the progression. So you would gain back the function that you've already lost, but you would maybe not get some of those later symptoms. That would be even bigger dream in the future. Karen Weintraub: I was going to ask, Dr. Studer, where the research goes from here? Dr. Lorenz Studer: We always talk about bench to bedside, but there's also a bedside to bench. So where you kind of try to figure out, so what could you do even better now with regard to the cells that they function maybe more quickly or they are more potent or they have some additional features like we discussed? How could it treat some of the other symptoms in the future? So I think that's a big area for Parkinson's disease itself. How can we get the most benefit out of this kind of an approach? But then the other part is really there's so many other very severe diseases now. We talk about Alzheimer's disease, we talk about ELS and other disorders. Each of them might need a different approach, quite different. So in some case we don't think we can just replace nerve cells, but we still learn that maybe other approaches could be used in those specific disorders. And it then gives us a lot of encouragement when we see some progress in one area that this might be not just kind of a one-time go, but we might have opportunities to now give some help to those very difficult to treat neurodegenerative disorders where even today, this has been kind of some of the value of this for many of the drugs. Now, very, very few new drugs came up in the context of neurodegenerative disorders, and I don't think cell therapy is alone going to solve all of that, but it's yet the new tool that is becoming actually clinically a realistic option to replace cells, and I think that's quite exciting. There's some examples, for example, for treating eye disorders, so-called people who get blindness, macular degeneration, where data look quite promising. There's some examples maybe in very severe seizures where [inaudible 00:12:35] could be useful. So I think this is one of the very, very first example now where we now go all the way to this phase three study, but in the lab now we are thinking, "What did we learn? Why did it take us 25 years, for example? How can you make it quicker and what would be some of the next targets?" Because from the stem cell side, we learned a lot. So by now we can pretty much make any cell type of the brain. So that's a language to make this as no longer limiting. What's limiting is now to know what's really needed in each individual patient, which is going to be quite distinct and will take, again, a couple of years, but pretty confident not another 25-year step. Karen Weintraub: Well, we will stay tuned for that very exciting work. Thank you both so much for being on The Excerpt. Dr. Lorenz Studer: Thanks so much. Dr. Viviane Tabar: Thank you for having us. Karen Weintraub: Thanks to our senior producers, Shannon Rae Green and Kaely Monahan, for their production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@ Thanks for listening. I'm USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub. Taylor Wilson will be back tomorrow morning with another episode of The Excerpt.

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