Health - CANCER WATCH

New stem cell therapy to

help women regrow breasts

Melbourne: A new stem cell therapy developed by scientists in Melbourne could help women regrow their breasts after cancer surgery.

         Doctors at the Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery are starting the trial for a new technique called Neopec. The method uses a woman's regenerative capacity to grow fat tissue in breasts. The world-first trial will involve five women who have ahd tissue removed during surgery to remove cancer, and the first results could be reported by the end of the year.

       Neopec involves implanting a breast-shaped biodegradable chamber into the chest before surgeons redirect blood vessels into the chamber with the patient's own fat cells. A gel is inserted to help the cells multiply over six months, and the chamber dissolves when the new breast is fully formed. According to lead researcher Wayne Morison, after successfully trialling the procedure on pigs, he was about 50 per cent sure it would work in humans.

        "If it works it will be great, but we can't be sure that it will yet." the Age quoted Professor Morrison as saying.

        The new chief executive of the operation, Dr Peter Mountford, said if the trial was successful, by 2013 he would offer the procedure to women in Australia, Europe and south-east Asia who had a partial mastectomy, defects of previous reconstructions or congenital deformities. and the cosmetic market would come next. "By 2015, Neopec will be able to provide full breast reconstruction and by 2020, in conjunction with a global partner, it will provide a natural alternative to women."