CONDITIONS
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the patient’s immune system generates cellular and antibody responses to substances and tissues normally present in the body. This might be restricted to one organ or involve a particular tissue in different places. As a result of this immune response, damage to different organs occurs. Examples of autoimmune diseases that have responded to stem cell therapy either in animals or humans include rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
The Scientific Rationale Behind Using Stem Cells To Treat Autoimmune Diseases
Currently, autoimmune conditions are treated with immune suppressive agents such as steroids, methothrexate, cyclosporine, gold, and infliximab (Remicade). Despite inducing temporary improvement, these approaches possess the possibility of long-term adverse effects, as well as need for life-long treatment.
Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells can repair damaged tissues and modulate the immune system so as to shut off pathological responses while preserving its ability to fight off disease.
Stem cells and specifically, mesenchymal stem cells home to inflamed tissue and start producing anti-inflammatory agents. These mediators act locally and do not suppress the immune response of the patient’s whole body.
Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells induce the production of T regulatory cells, a type of immune cell whose function is to protect the body against immunological self-attack.
Currently, autoimmune conditions are treated with immune suppressive agents such as steroids, methothrexate, cyclosporine, gold, and infliximab (Remicade). Despite inducing temporary improvement, these approaches possess the possibility of long-term adverse effects, as well as need for life-long treatment.
Stem cell therapy has been demonstrated to induce profound healing activity in animals with various forms of autoimmune disorders. Besides healing damaged tissues, stem cells have the unique ability to modulate the immune system so as to shut off pathological responses while preserving its ability to fight off disease. Stem cells and specifically, mesenchymal stem cells home to inflamed tissue and start producing anti-inflammatory agents. These mediators act locally and do not suppress the immune response of the patient’s whole body. Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells induce the production of T regulatory cells, a type of immune cell whose function is to protect the body against immunological self-attack.
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Now, I go to the store. I prepare my own food, and I can do so many things I wasn’t able to do before the stem cells.
What are the advantages of treating Autoimmune Diseases with allogeneic umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells?
Since human umbilical cord tissue-derived (HUCT) mesenchymal stem cells are immune system privileged, cell rejection is not an issue and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching is not necessary.
Allogeneic stem cells can be administered multiple times over the course of days in uniform dosages that contain high cell counts.
The stem cells with the best anti-inflammatory activity, immune modulating capacity, and ability to stimulate regeneration can be screened and selected.
Umbilical cord tissue provides an abundant supply of mesenchymal stem cells.
No need to collect stem cells from the patient’s hip bone or fat under anesthesia, which especially for small children and their parents, can be an unpleasant ordeal.
There is a growing body of evidence showing that HUCT mesenchymal stem cells are more robust than mesenchymal stem cells from other sources.
No need to administer chemotherapy drugs like Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF or GCSF) to stimulate the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells, and release them into the bloodstream.
We use Golden Cells™. Years-long retrospective analysis of patient outcomes has enabled us to identify and select the best cells for use in our patients.
Autoimmune Diseases Treatment Protocols
A staff physician will assign a stem cell treatment protocol after you have submitted all requested medical information and received approval. Your recommended protocol may differ from the example given below:
- Treatment length (Monday – Thursday): 4 Days
- Physical examination and blood testing: Monday
- 3 intravenous infusions of specially selected human umbilical cord tissue-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (Golden Cells™): Tuesday – Thursday
Note: Includes Hilton hotel room with breakfast, WIFI, transportation from and to the airport with VIP airport gate service and expedited customs clearance upon arrival.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You probably have questions. We’re here to help.
No stem cell product from any source, including the patient’s own, is approved by the US FDA to treat autoimmune disease.
However, human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells that were isolated and grown in our laboratory in Panama to create master cell banks have been used in the United States under US FDA regulation.
These cells served as the starting material for cellular products used in MSC clinical trials for two Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy patients under US FDA’s designation of Investigational New Drug (IND) for single-patient compassionate use. (IND 16026 DMD Single Patient).
The body’s immune system is unable to recognize umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells as foreign, and therefore they are not rejected. Human umbilical cord tissue stem cells have been administered tens of thousands of times at the Stem Cell Institute, and there has never been a single instance of rejection (graft vs. host disease). As a matter of fact, allogeneic (not the patient’s own) mesenchymal stem cells are approved to treat graft vs. host disease in Canada and New Zealand.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells also proliferate/differentiate more efficiently than “older” cells, such as those found in the fat, and therefore, they are considered to be more “potent”.
The adult stem cells used to treat autoimmune disease at the Stem Cell Institute come from human umbilical cord tissue (allogeneic mesenchymal). These stem cells are expanded at Medistem Panama’s state-of-the-art laboratory.
The mesenchymal stem cells we use are recovered from donated umbilical cords following normal, healthy births. Each mother has her medical history screened and is tested for infectious diseases. Proper consent is received from each family prior to donation.
All umbilical cord-derived stem cells are screened for infectious diseases to International Blood Bank Standards before they are cleared for use in patients.
Only a small percentage of donated umbilical cords pass our rigorous screening process.
Proper follow-up is an essential part of stem cell therapy. Our primary goal is to ensure that you are progressing safely. Regular follow-up also enables us to evaluate efficacy and improve our treatment protocols based on observed outcomes.
Therefore, our medical staff will be contacting you after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 1 year to monitor your child’s progress.
You can apply today to find out if you are eligible for treatment. You may also contact us by telephone 1 (800) 980-7836 (toll-free in US) and 1 (954) 358-3382 (International).