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Home Tag: "Stem Cell Therapy"

Tag: Stem Cell Therapy

12Feb

New advances in medical research and treatment have led to new techniques to help people battle various medical conditions. We no longer live in a world, for example, where rabies is a fatal, untreatable disease, vaccines are now available to cure this illness. In the same way, many of the conditions that were once thought to have no solutions, such as leukemia, a form of blood cancer, or even degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, are now getting their turn in the research spotlight, with emerging techniques that have promising results.

One of these techniques is known as stem cell therapy, and it’s a very promising area of ongoing research that has already proven its worth in some areas. Leukemia, lymphoma, and other forms of blood cancer are already being successfully treated with stem cell therapy and research on this technique continues for other conditions such as people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or others who have been injured and suffered neurological damage.

All of this, however, is highly dependent on umbilical cord blood harvesting, and here’s why.

The Problem Of Specialization

Under ordinary circumstances, the human body’s ability to regenerate itself from damage is very limited. Cuts and scrapes, for example, can be easily recovered from, as the blood clots and the skin eventually grows and heals. However, if a finger is amputated, that finger can’t grow back. If the heart is damaged, the heart muscles can’t heal from that damage.

Only a few components of the human body are capable of regenerating. Skin and hair the most common, but in these cases, all they can do is create more versions of themselves. Skin cells can never create lung cells. Then there are some parts of the body, like the heart, that have a fixed number of cells in them, and they will never heal or regenerate, which is why heart damage accumulates over time, as the heart can never grow new heart cells to replace damaged ones.

The Stem Cell Exception

The stem cell does not follow this rule. Stem cells have a property known as being “pluripotent.” This means they start out as “blank” cells that can rewrite themselves to be any cell in the human body. This is why, even though a fertilized egg starts as a single cell, it can eventually multiply, creating more and more stem cells that, once ready, eventually convert themselves into the eye, brain, heart, blood and other cells required to form a human being.

This is the basis of stem cell therapy. Even cells that are damaged beyond repair, or not correctly reproducing, such as cancerous blood cells, can be treated with stem cell therapy. By introducing stem cells into a problem area, the cells can acclimatize themselves and make replacements where it may not have been possible before.

A Problem Of Potency

The issue with stem cell therapy is one of potency. In a normal person, a less versatile version of stem cells is available. These are known as “multipotent” stem cells, and they can’t rewrite themselves into every cell in the human body, only those cells that belong to a “family” of cells. In the bone marrow, where red cells, white cells and platelets are created, it is these multipotent cells that can create themselves into whatever blood cells are required.

It is only when a baby is growing in a mother’s womb that the pluripotent stem cells are produced in the vast amounts required to create every organ in the human body. However, once a baby has been delivered from the womb, the baby is not capable of creating new pluripotent stem cells within, and the mother, no longer pregnant, also stops creating new stem cells to fuel baby development and growth.

The Need To Harvest

After birth, there is a surplus of unused pluripotent stem cells that remain in the placenta, amniotic fluids, and the umbilical cord, which is the vital point of exchange for nutrients and waste between a mother and child. The remain fluids in the umbilical cord are known as “cord blood” and provide a rich source of pluripotent stem cells.

This is where a family may, if they decide, have the cord blood harvested and stored away for future use. Stem cells, like organs, and blood, are not universally compatible. The child that was born from those stem cells, or a very close genetic relative, such as another sibling, can benefit from the full effect of stem cell therapy with these cells.

This is why, for parents that want to be proactive about having an effective form of treatment available, it’s often a good idea to request that cord blood be harvested and stored in a stem cell bank. It can mean, for example, that if a child is later diagnosed with ASD, that autism may be treated and some of the symptoms managed with stem cell therapy.

21Jan

Stem cell therapy is a recent arrival in the world of medical science and treatment. It’s a very promising form of treatment; however it is also very limited in its application, with very few authorized treatments available to the public, at least in the United States. Leukemia, a form of blood cancer, is one of the few treatments in the USA that the Food & Drug Administration has allowed hospitals to offer to patients.

For some, this is an incredibly frustrating decision, as the promise of stem cell therapy shows massive potential in other areas. Stem cell therapy is widely regarded as a viable treatment for many conditions that would be considered otherwise untreatable, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, and even complex conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD.

There may come a day in the future when stem cell therapy is more widely practiced for a variety of different ailments. For now, however, research is largely ongoing. But what is stem cell therapy? Why is it so new, and why is its application so limited? To better understand the situation, let’s take a look first at the nature of the stem cell.

The Blank Slate

For decades the stem cell was a medical concept, but it was unproven. However, medical science knew that something like the stem cell had to exist because otherwise, human reproduction was impossible. In a typical human body, the most that cells can do is reproduce more copies of the same cell. Skin cells, for example, grow new skin cells to replace skin damaged by cuts or bruises. When we get a haircut, hair cells reproduce more hair cells to replace the lost hair. A skin cell can’t grow a brain cell, and some cells, like heart cells, can’t reproduce at all, meaning any damage to a heart is permanent.

However, during pregnancy, this state can’t exist. There are no skin, bones, lungs or blood for normal human cells to come from because a baby isn’t fully formed yet. A baby grows from an egg fertilized by a sperm, and somehow creates cells that eventually specialize into the organs required. That “somehow” is the stem cell, but medical science was unable to locate it.

The Breakthrough

In 1981, researchers finally isolated stem cells in mouse experiments. Martin Evans, researching at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom, became the first scientist to identify embryonic stem cells in his chosen research subject, mice. Evans then took things a step further and isolated the stem cells, modifying them, and then transplanting them into female mice.

The experiment was a success, and the first genetically modified stem cells were carried to term in female mice, resulting in offspring that had been artificially manipulated through science. Now, not only were stem cells identified, they could be used and even altered, at least in rodents.

The Human Equation

It took many more years, but in 1998, the same feat of identifying, isolating, modifying, and growing a new, specifically cultured human stem cell was accomplished. In two different research labs, James Thomson at the University of Wisconsin and John Gearhart of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore both managed to isolate and grow stem cells.

At this point, however, stem cells, as more awareness of them grew, created some public controversy. While the goal had been to create stem cells through laboratory means, the initial research done utilized embryonic cells no longer required for IVF, or in vitro fertilization, and the extraction of such cells destroyed the embryo.

The Barriers Drop

In 2001, the President of the United States at that time, George W. Bush, put limits on stem cell research due to ethical and religious concerns. Stem cells that had already been cultured and grown from previous experiments were allowed to continue, but no new sources of stem cells for cultivation could be acquired.

This was a setback for researchers since this significantly limited the supply of available material to make research more widespread. The result was that research slowed down.

More Discoveries

However, the promise of stem cell research and therapy could not be denied. Even with the limitations, existing research made great strides forward that excited the medical science community. Stem cells were successfully reprogrammed in 2007, and in 2009, President Barack Obama lifted research restrictions. In 2010 research was conducted into treating spinal injuries with stem cells, and in 2012, blindness treatment research began.

The Current State

While the USA has stem cell treatment largely for research with only leukemia being an available public treatment, other countries, such as Georgia, offer stem cell therapy. This type of stem cell therapy, however, requires an existing, biologically compatible supply of stem cells to treat patients with. The source in this treatment method is either stem cells harvested from a mother’s womb after a child is born, or, if unavailable, stem cells from a close genetic relative, such as a sibling born of the same mother at a later date. It’s also possible to harvest stem cells from bone marrow, but these are not pluripotent, like embryonic cells, and therefore less versatile.

24Dec

Many people are considering stem cell treatment to address various conditions, such as autism. If you are one of these people, chances are your mind is already filled with questions. Some people tend to look for answers using the internet. While this can be helpful, you should also clarify your concerns with the clinic where you plan to have the treatment.

Aside from asking for the cost of stem cell therapy for autism, you should also ask for a thorough discussion of the various aspects that are related to the treatment.

1. How much experience does your clinic have?

In the field of medicine, a doctor’s experience is a vital aspect. The more practice a physician has the more chances of a better outcome. As the saying goes, “experience is the best teacher.” Ask the clinic if their doctors have done many procedures involving stem cells. Some people find it hard to ask their service provider this question. However, you should not hesitate because it involves your or your family member’s health.

2. Is your treatment backed up by data and studies?

Many people still lack information and knowledge about stem cell therapy. Use this opportunity to learn more about the procedure. If your child has autism and you are considering stem cell therapy, ask the clinic about the programs they offer. You can also ask for their success rate. Ask them for possible complications or side effects, if there are any.

Some medical facilities have websites that show their history. You can also check out reviews from previous clients to help you decide.

3. Do the clinic’s physicians specialize in the procedure?

Specialization also matters when it comes to physicians. Some doctors have a better understanding and experience than others. Make sure the clinic that you choose has well-trained physicians who have proper certifications.

The cost of stem cell therapy for autism may not be cheap. Thus, you should make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

4. Where does the physician get the cell?

The source of the cells is vital. You can find stem cells in most, if not all, parts of a person’s body. However, not all cells are the same. Ask the physician or the provider where they harvest the stem cells. The most common sources of stem cells for the treatment of autism are the bone marrow and the umbilical cord blood.

5. How does the clinic harvest stem cells?

The technique they use in collecting stem cells is critical. There are several ways to do this process. The method that they use can affect the success of your treatment. For example, the harvesting of stem cells from a person’s bone marrow is called bone marrow aspiration. This procedure requires experience.

Meanwhile, getting umbilical cord blood happens at birth. Experts use a needle attached to a collecting bag and use it to collect the blood.

6. How does the clinic make sure that they put the stem cells where you need them to be?

The physician should know where to put the stem cells and how to do it accurately. You can ask for a visual representation or a thorough discussion to know how they will do the treatment. Choose a clinic that has advanced training and facilities to place the cells in the specific structure that needs it.

7. Is the clinic using drugs or additives that may kill stem cells?

Some medications may end up killing stem cells, including anesthetics, steroids, and other similar medications. Some providers use anesthetics to numb the area where they will conduct the procedure. However, some types of anesthetics can kill stem cells. Ask the clinic if they use medicines that come in contact with the stem cells. It may be unavoidable sometimes. But some anesthetics are safe to use.

Some prescription medications may also affect stem cells negatively. Ask your provider about these.

8. Is the laboratory sophisticated and has complete equipment?

The level of sophistication of a laboratory says a lot about the clinic. A medical facility that has a cell therapy unit may have more equipment than a regular doctor’s office. They may also have the proper devices that allow their doctors to do a more thorough examination.

9. Is the patient a good fit?

A reliable physician will tell you if your child with autism is fit for the procedure or not. There are also requirements and criteria for stem cell therapy. Consult the clinic about this. There may also be additional necessary assessments and consultations to ensure that the patient is a good fit.

12Dec

Many individuals have autism. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of this disorder seems to be increasing globally. Autism is a range of conditions that begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood.

Through the years, researchers have conducted countless studies to find treatment for autism. One therapy that continues to be a topic of many research studies is stem cell treatment. You might be wondering how does stem cell therapy work for autism, and if it can help.

Autism can limit a child’s capacity to conduct daily activities. It can also have an impact on the social and educational aspects of a person’s life. Some people who have autism can move and live independently. However, there are more severe cases wherein the patient needs lifelong support. Another negative impact of this disorder is the emotional burden on the person who has it and the possible economic burden on their families.

Parents want what is best for their children. If it means trying out new treatments, then they would try it. Stem cell therapy provides an alternative that you can try to help your child who has autism.

History

The idea of using stem cell treatment for autism started with the treatment of cerebral palsy. Meanwhile, stem cell transplants for some metabolic disorders have prompted the study for cerebral palsy.

From 1995 to 2007, a team at Duke University did over 100 cord blood transplants. The subjects were children who have rare metabolic disorders that lead to cognitive or physical impairment and death if left untreated. The results of the study showed that we can now use cord blood transplants to save patients. The positive results include the improvement and the stopping of the decline of cognitive function.

Because of this, many have thought that similar treatment may be able to help those who have neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and cerebral palsy. Unlike in the treatment of metabolic disorders, children with neurodevelopmental disorders do not have to undergo chemotherapy. However, they may have to receive pre-treatment that aims to prevent any allergic reaction.

Stem cell treatment for cerebral palsy patients was a success. Thus, it has inspired the use of the same therapy for other conditions like autism.

How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Autism?

Studies have shown that there is no single cause for autism. Experts and professionals believe that a large number of factors can cause it. Despite this, the world of science has gone a long way.

You may have heard of stem cell therapy, but you may not be aware that it can work for autism. Generally, stem cells replace the cells in a patient’s body that are not working well with cells that can function properly. Inflammation is among the main symptoms found in autism patients. Stem cells can reduce inflammation. Thus, replacing unhealthy cells with healthy ones can help promote the proper functioning of one’s immune system. In turn, it can help reduce the effects of autism.

Sources

To treat autism using stem cells, experts harvest them from the umbilical cord tissue. It is also known as allogenic mesenchymal. Mothers who have had normal and healthy births may donate these human umbilical cords. Experts screen and test them for the possible existence of viruses and bacteria.

These cords are ideal for autism treatment because they allow the administration of uniform doses. They also do not require the harvesting from the patient himself. Some parents are concerned about this and think it can be an invasive procedure to the body of their child with autism.

Another procedure that experts can do is the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells. The patient will be under general anesthesia while the surgeon collects bone marrow from the patient’s ileum bone. The medical professional will take around 50 to 100 ml of bone marrow. After this, they will separate the mononuclear cells.

Generally, most autism treatment processes take around five days. It includes a physical examination and blood tests.

Finding Treatment Facility

Some parents are having a hard time finding a place where they can get stem cell treatment for their child with autism. Access to the treatment may not be as good for some people. That is why others tend to look for medical facilities that offer the treatment even in other countries.

3Dec

Autism is better known these days as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and it is a large, sprawling, very complex condition that, unfortunately, currently has no known cure. The exact causes of ASD are, even to this day, not fully understood, although it is known that genetic, pre-natal and even post-natal factors may be involved in the formation of the condition in children.

Because of the complexity of ASD, many different treatments exist to address and manage some of the symptoms. While behavioral therapy has proven effective at treating some symptoms, it is not a cure-all for every symptom. Some symptoms, for example, require taking antipsychotic medication. Others, however, may respond to stem cell therapy, and this is where the Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic may be useful to some people looking for other treatment alternatives.

What Is The Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic?

The Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic was started in 1995, and originally was focused on oncological treatment, that is, the treatment of tumors, most often caused by cancer. Because cancer currently has no known cure, the treatment and management of symptoms like tumors and other growths is one that is still in heavy demand throughout the world.

The Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic answered the call with experienced doctors who were dedicated to the idea that helping people cope with their tumors was an important goal. However, as time passed, and the doctors and staff at the clinic constantly stayed informed of new and promising forms of treatment, a new department for treating nervous disorders opened, and one of the primary focuses of this department was children. In time, a focus on ASD began, as there was some overlap between what the clinic was doing in cancer research and treatment, and how some approaches to treating ASD were taking shape in other parts of the world, like the USA.

Based In Eastern Europe

The Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic is located in Georgia, in the capital of the country, Tbilisi. Georgia is east of Turkey and sits in a region once known as a “Eurasia,” because it was often considered the gateway between Europe and Asia when overland trading routes were more involved and treacherous for long journeys.

These days, however, Georgia’s history as a gateway nation, while interesting to tourists and admirers of history, is not the only thing this nation is known for. Georgia is now a progressive and modern country. So while travelers can come to the country, and the city Tbilisi and enjoy the culture, history, museums, and relics that are part of the country’s past, there are also modern businesses, an advanced digital infrastructure, fine dining, clubs, and other modern-day amenities that any 21st century city can offer.

One of the more unique draws of Georgia and one of the reasons why the Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic is based here is the more progressive stance on medical sciences. Georgia has embraced what medical technology can bring to people, and as a result, has very open policies on different medical techniques, such as compensated surrogate motherhood protocol and the use of stem cell therapy for treating ASD.

This more progressive stance, however, doesn’t compromise on quality medical care. Georgian doctors still study and graduate from some of the best medical schools in the world, and, upon returning, use modern equipment at high health and safety standards. They also stay “in the loop,” looking at the most promising news and techniques emerging in medical science, which is one reason why the Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic offers stem cell therapy for ASD treatment.

Not Yet Regulated

Stem cell therapy is a very well-established form of medical treatment. It requires the harvesting of stem cells and transplanting them into a patient, usually in a specific part of the body, depending on the nature of the treatment.

What makes stem cells so special is that they can “reprogram” themselves to become any cell in the human body, even cells that normally don’t reproduce in large numbers like heart or liver cells. Stem cell therapy has risen to prominence as one of the most effective ways to fight a type of blood cancer known as leukemia. In the United States, stem cell therapy is widely regarded as one of the best ways to permanently address leukemia, which is why it is such a well-regarded treatment.

However, stem cell therapy, at least in the USA, is still only legally allowed for use in hospitals in clinics with leukemia and no other conditions. Research into stem cell therapy with other ailments, such as spinal injuries resulting in paralysis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, and, of course, ASD are all promising, but the Food & Drug Administration in the USA is, for the moment, unwilling to allow stem cell therapy in these areas for anything other than research trials.

In other parts of the world, however, including Georgia, preliminary treatments with stem cell therapy for ASD have shown promising results and this one reason why the Mardaleishvili Medical Clinic offers the treatment to both locals and international visitors.

24Nov

Autism, more correctly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has taken generations to be properly understood and diagnosed, and it is only in recent years that a more comprehensive understanding of this disorder has become more common in medical science. That doesn’t mean, however, that ASD is now understood and that there is an effective common cure for its many symptoms.

The sad fact of the matter is that this is a very complex disorder, one with its roots in behavioral, physical, and neurological symptoms, making it difficult to track. In fact, because of ASD’s many behavioral symptoms and the spectrum of number and intensity that those symptoms can appear in, many people with ASD symptoms are were diagnosed as having unique, entirely different conditions.

At one time, for example, Asperger’s Syndrome was thought to be a unique disorder, while some people with ASD were misdiagnosed as being schizophrenic. Today, however, there’s a greater understanding that this huge spectrum of different behavioral symptoms all have a single root cause that allows for multiple forms of expression.

As a result of the huge variance in symptoms for ASD, there are also several different treatments. ASD currently has no known cure. Once someone is diagnosed with it, then, like asthma or diabetes, this is going to be a lifelong condition. However, as with those other conditions, just because there is no cure, that does not mean that this condition can’t be managed.

Treatment Options

There are a variety of different treatments for ASD. For some severe behavioral problems, antipsychotics or other forms of medication may be prescribed to help keep certain tendencies under control. In other cases, psychological treatment, like behavioral therapy, may be the most effective means of consciously teaching someone with ASD to identify, manage, and overcome their symptoms.

Another alternative for treating symptoms is stem cell therapy. This is a technique that has already been well-established for fighting specific types of blood-related cancer, like leukemia. As a result, stem cell therapy is widely regarded as a promising new method for treating many different conditions. However, at the moment, the Food & Drug Administration in the USA only legally recognizes the use of stem cell therapy for leukemia. Usage for other disorders is not currently legal, though they are being researched.

How It Works

Stem cells are a very special, very versatile type of cell that can only be collected through two means. If a family has the foresight after childbirth, the baby’s stem cells can be preserved from the umbilical cord, known as “cord blood,” and this can be cryogenically stored for later use if required years down the road.

The other way to harvest stem cells if no cord blood is available is to collect a less potent version of stem cells that are created and stored in the bone marrow. This requires surgery to facilitate, so is the more complex, invasive method.

Once the stem cells have been collected, they are injected into the patient. This can either be done intravenously, through a typical hypodermic needle in the arm, or some other vein, or it can be done through intrathecal injection into the spine.

The reason that stem cells are only viable in these two ways is because of compatibility. Unlike blood, if stem cells from another person are introduced into a patient, they will be rejected.

The Cost Considerations

Because stem cell therapy for ASD treatment is not legal in countries like the United States, that means the USA neither offers treatment for it nor recognizes medical insurance claims that request coverage for stem cell ASD treatment.

This already means that families interested in stem cell therapy must rely on their savings. On top of this, additional costs must be considered for travel, because while the United States does not have safe, legal medical centers for stem cell therapy for ASD, other countries do.

Mexico in North America, and Georgia, in Eastern Europe, for example, both have modern 21st-century medical facilities, and in both countries, the practice of stem cell therapy for treatment of conditions other than leukemia is completely legal.

The Final Cost

Depending on where you go and what kind of currency fluctuations are at play in the currency market, the cost of the stem cell therapy treatment itself will vary. The average cost of stem cell therapy globally is about USD$12000-$15000, but much of that is dependent on the diagnoses, and the individual patient requirements.

People who come to Georgia for their stem cell therapy treatments can expect to pay, on average, about $USD 12000 + VAT, even for procedures that may involve harvesting bone marrow. However, it’s important to consult medical professionals first before seeking stem cell therapy for autism treatment. Not every ASD symptom is appropriately dealt with through stem cell therapy. Diagnosis and medical recommendations should always be sought before taking this route.




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