As the newest field in regenerative medicine, exosome therapy is often the least understood by doctors new to the field. While still not widely used by many doctors, this is simply because it is new. However, many scientists are eager to harness the benefits of this new treatment and apply them to target various conditions that modern medicine has struggled to address.
Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes
The discovery of extracellular vesicles (EV), small bubbles composed of protein freely among cells, has been considered one of the greatest advancements in the field of medicine. They are broadly defined as entities that exist outside of the cells of the human body and can be quite unique. Among these are exosomes, which have shown almost miraculous promise in treating inflammation, immunomodulation, cell-cell communication, and much more. Although not a cure-all, exosomes are effective in their roles, which include the communication and rejuvenation of all cells in the body, despite not actually being cells themselves.
Exosomes are created by growing a healthy stem cell culture and then disposing of the cells, leaving behind millions of exosomes created in the process. Due to their microscopic size, what is left behind must be ultra-centrifuged to concentrate them enough for patient use. Despite all their abilities, the makeup of exosomes is quite simple, consisting of amino acids and RNA. This means that, aside from their immunomodulatory properties, exosomes can be applied to a patient without causing an immune system reaction, a common concern with other treatments.
An Overview of Exosome Therapy
Generally defined, exosome therapy is the use of exosomes in a clinical setting, a new step forward that is being happily taken by physicians worldwide. Exosome therapy has rapidly become one of the most popular fields of regenerative medicine treatment globally. Painstaking research has highlighted the practical uses of exosomes, and how they can treat conditions including Lyme disease, hair loss, and arthritis. While stem cells are responsible for the rejuvenation of older cells, they might not be able to supply the information required for healing to take place—this is where exosomes come in.
Consider exosomes the traffic conductors of regenerative medicine. They stimulate attention to damaged areas and work to control inflammation. Many researchers believe that supporting the function of exosomes in the body could lead to better outcomes for patients. These scientific breakthroughs have fundamentally changed the healing process as we know it.
How Exosome Therapy Works
Exosome therapy is minimally invasive and most commonly used in patients with orthopedic injuries, but it also has great applications in anti-aging medicine and the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Exosome treatments generally contain a combination of growth factors, messenger RNA, micro RNA, and cytokines. The resulting exosome treatment is used in conjunction with stem cell therapies to boost the healing process in patients. These exosome therapies can be administered directly into the affected area or through an IV drip for those seeking the anti-aging properties of exosomes.
Exosome injections are administered similarly to other cellular therapies—directly into the part of the body affected by disease. Patient dosing varies based on the condition and treatment plan, allowing physicians to customize them to a patient’s needs.
What Can Exosomes Treat?
As the field of regenerative medicine constantly grows, more treatments are discovered every month. Researchers have found exosomes to be an exciting alternative for a wide variety of illnesses, including arthritis therapy, where they play a significant role in bone and cartilage remodeling. Exosome therapy currently shows promise in treating the following conditions:
Hair Loss
Exosomes can regrow hair due to their growth factor content. When injected, exosomes trigger healing and the natural regeneration of hair follicles.
Lyme Disease
Exosomes may benefit patients suffering from Lyme disease, a complex disease that compromises the immune system. By incorporating exosomes into a treatment plan, patients could break the cycle of inflammatory response.
Arthritis
Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation due to autoimmune deficiency, can be alleviated with exosome therapy. Although various treatments are available, exosomes show potential in reversing the disease’s progression.
Anti-Aging
Aging can be thought of as a slow, steady inflammation of the body. Researchers have found a direct correlation between the number and types of exosomes within the body and the effects of aging. Exosome therapy could reduce swelling and treat conditions like crow’s feet, puffy eyes, and other markers of aging.
Pain Management
Many pain symptoms result from inflammation. For severe, chronic conditions that cannot be treated with over-the-counter options, exosome therapy could be key. By targeting the pained area at the source of inflammation, exosome therapy can increase the quality of movement and reduce pain in certain orthopedic conditions, including stress injuries.
As physicians around the world continue to study and apply exosomes, Global Stem Cells Group recognizes the need to get these products into doctors’ hands. Our Cellgenic line has been in operation for years, helping physicians treat these conditions and more with exosome therapy.
