The title "Stem Cells from Cord Blood, In Utero Stem Cell Develop ment, and Transplantation-Inclusive Gene Therapy" suggests that more than one topic is combined in one workshop. Indeed, at first glance the recovery of stem cells from cord blood has to be seen as separate from the attempts to achieve effective in utero therapy by stem cell trans plantation, because the first issue deals with an innovative stem cell source as an alternative to bone marrow, which is already spreading rapidly in medical practice, whereas the second topic is still strictly ex perimental and only investigated in medical centers with the appropri ate background. It is, however, not only justified, but helpful to com bine the two topics in one workshop and consequently to cover them in the same volume of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation Work shop series, because they are intimately related and both based on the new insights into the biology of stem cells. Professor Werner Arber, the Nobel Laureate from the University of Basel, pointed out in his In- Professor Dr. W. Holzgreve VI Preface The participants of the workshop troductory Lecture that our understanding of hematopoietic stem cells as descendents of totipotent cells and our current approaches to using them in post-and prenatal therapy have been furthered significantly by genetic engineering technologies which are "artificial contributions to the process of biologic evolution".

Advances in genetics, molecular biology and gene delivery technologies in recent years have led to new gene therapy strategies for treatment of a variety of diseases. This book gives a comprehensive overview of the present status and future directions of gene delivery systems and therapeutic strategies for the clinical application of gene therapy in cancer, cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases. Stem cell-based therapies and gene expression regulatory systems as novel platform technologies for various gene therapy applications are also discussed. Leading experts give excellent overviews of basic molecular aspects and clinical applications in this new emerging biomedical field.

Expectations of the potential of regenerative medicine have risen recently because of exciting research results. This book contains contributions from leading researchers who describe their successes and the problems that remain in converting the hopes into concrete therapies. The focus of the book is on the role of stem cells in two main areas -- reproduction and the brain -- described from molecular, cellular, in vivo and clinical perspectives.

This book gives an updated review of the state of the art in regenerative cell therapy in the fields of cardiology, hematology, pediatrics, neurology, orthopedics and infectious diseases. The book emphasizes clinical advances as proof of concept in cell therapy based on the revolutionizing observation that regeneration can occur throughout the body even in highly differentiated organs like the heart and the neuronal system. It provides examples of breakthroughs in the clinical implementation of adult stem cell therapy.

Perinatal Stem Cells provides researchers and clinicians with a comprehensive description of the current clinical and pre-clinical applications of stem cells derived from perinatal sources, such as amniotic fluid, placenta and placental membranes, the umbilical cord and Wharton's jelly. It's compiled by leading experts in the field, offering readers detailed insights into sources of perinatal stem cells and their potential for disease treatment. Therapeutic applications of perinatal stem cells include the treatment of in utero and pregnancy related diseases, cardiac disease, liver disease, pulmonary disease, inflammatory diseases, for hematopoietic regeneration, and for neural protection after stroke or traumatic brain injury. In addition, the rapid advance in clinical translation and commercialization of perinatal stem cell therapies is highlighted in a section on Clinical and Industry Perspective which provides insight into the new opportunities and challenges involved in this novel and exciting industry. - Explores current clinical and pre-clinical application of stem cells derived from perinatal sources - Offers detailed insight into sources of perinatal stem cells and their potential for disease treatment - Discusses progress in the manufacturing, banking and clinical translation of perinatal stem cells - Edited by a world-renowned team to present a complete story of the development and promise of perinatal stem cells

The current progress in molecular medicine allows the identification of a plethora of new and often human-specific drug targets. An early in vivo validation of specific ligands binding to these targets in humans is needed to assess their potential for targeted imaging and radiotherapy. Radiopharmaceuticals are uniquely suitable for such target validation studies. The purpose of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop 48 was to offer a forum for an open exchange on the state of the art in the early development of such radiopharmaceuticals. Experts from academia, industry and regulatory authorities provided contributions covering the identification of targets, the necessary preclinical studies on the safety of ligands as well as their validation in human clinical trials.

This volume contains an advanced level discussion on the appropriateness of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in modern postmenopausal women on the basis of evidence provided by recent epidemiological studies. It addresses all aspects of benefits and risks associated with HRT. It focuses, however, on cancer risk and on risk of breast cancer in particular. The book advocates further epidemiological studies which incorporate pathobiological assessments.