Recently, The ALS Association (ALSA) has received a number of questions
concerning, and requests for more information about, intravenous infusion
of umbilical cord blood/stem cells. Before deciding to undergo intravenous
infusion of umbilical cord blood/stem cells, or any treatment, ALSA
encourages people with ALS to consult with their health care professional.

Upon first hearing about intravenous infusion of umbilical cord blood/stem
cells for ALS, ALSA staff talked with individuals who are providing this
infusion procedure and scientists who have done animal research with
umbilical cord stem cells. From these efforts and independent research
review, we have made the following observations:

1. Initial research data on the use of umbilical cord stem cells testing
in ALS mice are interesting, but have not demonstrated conclusive,
long-term beneficial results.

2. Intravenous infusions of umbilical cord blood/stem cells are being
provided in Atlanta, Georgia to people with ALS.

3. To our knowledge, the safety of umbilical cord blood/stem cells
infusions in humans has not been established for ALS.

4. Some people have contacted ALSA with anecdotal reports of improved
strength and function after the infusion.

5. To our knowledge, there is no clinical trial organized in a formal,
rigorous manner to measure the potential benefit of intravenous infusion
of umbilical cord blood/stem cells.

The ALS Association is supportive of clinical trials with stem cells and
any other potential therapy where there is scientific rationale for
efficacy in ALS and adequate medical knowledge to design a rational trial.

Without the "gold standard" of clinical studies, no valid conclusions
about any treatment's usefulness and safety for a population of patients
can be made. Ideas for ALS therapeutics are taken very seriously and the
clinicians and scientists are always strongly encouraged to conduct
clinical trials as soon as possible to evaluate safety and benefit.

The field of stem cell therapy for people with ALS is advancing rapidly
with top research centers focused on this very exciting potential therapy.

ALSA is funding a number of research projects in this area, which hold
promise in overcoming some of the many barriers scientists face in
learning how best to use stem cells for people with ALS. (Visit ALSA's web
site listed below for more information.)

To date we are aware of only a few unpublished clinical research efforts
that have been disclosed using bone marrow and cord blood stem cells for
ALS in humans. These efforts are in their very early stages. With all the
excitement and possibilities stem cells have to offer as a therapy, it is
critical that scientists and clinicians are cautious, plan rigorous
studies and most importantly focus on key laboratory experiments that will
provide answers to the many challenges that still face this therapeutic
approach. For this therapy to be safe and have potential in the clinic, it
is vital that the appropriate studies are conducted to learn more about
the properties and complexities of the various stem cells.

For more information on stem cells and ALS and the challenges researchers
face in moving the field to human trials, visit ALSA's web site at
http://www.alsa.org/research/stem_cells.cfm and
http://www.alsa.org/news/drugnews261102.cfm.

For more information about Stem Cell Therapy and ALS contact:

-Mary Lyon, RN, MN Vice President Patient Services (mary@alsa-national.org
or 818-880-9007)

-Lucie Bruijn, PhD, Science Director and Vice President
(lucie@alsa-national.org).