Stem Cell Treatment
Across all media, theories and studies about stem cell treatments are constantly being talked about. What do we now know about stem cell treatments? How does this treatment help cure diseases? Where can we get an approved stem cell treatment?
In essence, stem cell treatments use stem cells to help repair and regenerate cells damaged by a disease, degenerative problem, or physical injury. This treatment is done by injecting stem cells (usually bone marrow aspirate concentrate) into the affected area.
Stem Cells Used for Stem Cell Treatments and Clinical Trials
Worldwide, stem cells are currently being studied by different researchers for stem cell treatments. Due to ethical and moral issues, a ban was placed in the US covering the further creation of some stem cells. So far, scientists have discovered four types of stem cells used for stem cell therapy.
- Embryonic Stem Cells
These stem cells can multiply into others of its kind or turn into a specific type of cell. Early-aged embryos from in vitro fertilization clinics are used for research on stem cell treatments. These embryos can only be used for stem cell therapy research with the consent from donors.
There are around 150 stem cells in an embryo, which can be used for treatment. However, some people believe that life starts from conception. That is why in some countries, the use of embryonic stem cells for treatment and research is strictly prohibited or highly restricted. (We do not use embryonic stem cells.)
- Adult Stem Cells
Stem cell treatments utilizing these stem cells have been used since 1968 (it is also called bone marrow transplant). Autologous stem cell treatments use patient’s own stem cells, and allogeneic stem cell treatments use someone else’s matching donor stem cells. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells have less potential to multiply or turn into any kind of cell. (We only use autologous stem cells.)
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
In 2006, Japanese researchers developed adult stem cells that were programmed to act like embryonic cells. They have the ability to develop into any type of cell. Immune rejection after the stem cell therapy is also lower because the stem cells used in the treatment are drawn from the patient’s body.
Currently, a study is being conducted to see how stem cell therapy can help in treating patients with corneal disease. The possibility of using of these stem cells for treatment will need further testing and research.
- Prenatal Stem Cells
Cord blood stem cells are extracted from the umbilical cord after a child is born. They also have the ability to change into specialized cells. Cord blood stem cell treatments have been successfully used to treat children with blood cancers and can be frozen for future use.
Amniotic fluid stem cells are drawn from pregnant women through amniocentesis, where fluid is extracted to check abnormalities in babies. Lund University in Sweden has now formed a multi-step method to harvest amniotic fluids from caesarian section deliveries. Stem cell treatments using these stem cells still require further research.
What are the Potential Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy?
Through years of study, scientists believe there are many possibilities in using stem cells for treatment. Others have tagged stem cell treatments as the “miracle cure”. Prior to the discovery of stem cells, we only saw regeneration in humans in fictional stories.
Now with stem cell therapy, the body can regenerate and repair its own tissues. Human regeneration is no longer fiction, it is called stem cell therapy. Currently, many stem cell treatments are still in clinical trials, and there are limitations to stem cell therapy research. However, the stem cell treatments used now have several benefits, including:
- Reduces Pain
Aging individuals can feel a lot more comfortable through stem cell therapy. Stem cell treatments can help lessen certain muscle and joint pain, even chronic joint pain.
- Speeds Up Healing
Patients who underwent surgeries or other medical procedures can do their normal activities quickly after stem cell treatments. Their wounds and injuries can heal faster through stem cell therapy.
- Improves Skin and Reduce Hair Loss
For patients with skin wounds, stem cell therapy can also lessen the formation of scar tissue. Additionally, the treatment can prevent hair loss. Stem cell treatments can increase the amount of collagen in the body that helps improve your skin health.
- Delay or Eliminate the Need for Aggressive Treatment
Having a stem cell treatment can prevent your condition from getting worse. Long-term medication or surgery would take time and cost a lot of money. Stem cell treatments may stop your cells from further deterioration.
Approved Stem Cell Treatments
Researchers have been studying about how stem cells treat tissues destroyed by diseases and injuries. There are registered clinical trials for stem cell treatments as well. These trials are evaluated, approved, and monitored by Institutional review boards. Each country also has different regulations about the study of stem cell treatments.
In the US, the Food and Drug Administration handles the approval of stem cell treatments, research, and trials. Currently, only bone marrow stem cell treatments are FDA-approved and these are limited in their use.
FDA Approval
To get FDA approval for stem cell treatments that are not approved, like umbilical cord stem cell treatments, clinics have to undergo clinical trials for stem cell treatments. This process requires millions of dollars for research and 5-10 years for the trials. As many small, privately funded clinics lack the resources for the certification, they offer umbilical cord stem cell treatments without FDA approval.
The FDA can make a pool of physicians work on stem cell therapy trials and gather data from their patients after treatment. With this collaboration, each the companies that process umbilical cord stem cells could receive their biologics license to sell their cord stem cell therapy.
Continuous Research About Stem Cell Therapy
In the field of science, people are hopeful about stem cell treatments. There now is a possibility of having fewer surgeries to treat diseases such as macular degeneration, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. This is all because of stem cell therapy.
Stem cell treatments can also help in the lack of organ donations, where stem cell therapy can be used for regeneration. Researchers were recently able to grow a beating heart of a rat through heart cells from newborn rats. Research in the use of stem cell treatments to cure heart diseases is greatly progressing.
Regenerative Stem Cell Treatments
For carefully planned and ethically approved regenerative stem cell treatments, turn to Boston Applied Biologics. We offer personalized treatment plans for you and use FDA-allowed stem cell treatments using bone marrow aspirate and your own platelet rich plasma.
For your safety, there are no dangerous chemicals mixed in your stem cell treatment. Our stem cell therapy is backed by medical studies and our more than 20 years of experience in these types of treatments. With stem cell therapy, we can help improve the quality of your life!
