MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS – Stemcell Center

Multiple Sclerosis (ME)

This condition is caused by an immune mediated attack targeting components of the myelin sheath.

The myelin sheath is the sleeve of fatty tissue that protects nerves and neurons and helps them carry messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body, is also known to act as an “insulator” for neurons so that they can communicate properly with each other.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have immune regulatory properties which may stop the immune system from attacking the myelin sheath.

Current approaches, such as interferon, copaxone, or immuno-suppressants all act in a nonspecific manner blocking immune responses against the myelin sheath.

While these approaches are useful for reducing the severity of disease, they do not repair the damage to nervous system tissue that has already.

The management of multiple sclerosis involves the treatment of the acute relapse, prevention of future relapse, treatment of complications, and management of the patient’s disability.

Our Treatment consists of immunomodulatory therapy for the underlying immune disorder and management of symptoms, as well as non-pharmacologic treatments, such as physical and occupational therapy.

Stem Cells not only regulate the immune system from attacking the myelin sheath, but also have the potential to repair nerve tissue. Adult stem cells possess the ability to repair damaged cells leading to tissue regeneration and ultimately promoting the healing process.

The objective of our therapeutic approach is to provide the patient with a treatment that stimulates his / her immune system, promotes cellular regeneration and improves symptoms associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

The administration of Adult Stem Cell should serve to compliment the patient’s current treatment regimen or to promote healing when current treatment is not responding.

Our Clinical Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

MS stem cell therapy is to target myelin sheath damage in MS patients. The stem cell therapy for MS stimulates regrowth of myelin tissue and improves the health of existing nerve cells. The MS stem cell treatment also helps regrow new, healthy nerve cells to replace the damaged ones.This process is called re-myelination.

But our MS stem cell therapy also addresses the autoimmune side of multiple sclerosis. The stem cell treatment for MS procedure stimulates the patient’s own neural stem cells and other stem cells to repair the immune system and, thus, keep it from attacking itself. This process is referred to as immuno-modulation.

Both aspects of our MS stem cell therapy are proving to be quite effective in improving quality of life for all of our patients dealing with multiple sclerosis.

How is Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Therapy Done?

The type of stem cells to use for your stem cell treatments for MS is something that you and your Cellular Hope Institute specialist must speak about during a consultation.

Many factors are involved regarding the best option, and these include getting a complete medical examination prior to planning your MS treatment.

But in most patients the process of stem cell treatment for MS begins with harvesting the patient’s stem cells.

This is a relatively quick and very minimally invasive procedure that draws stem cell-rich tissue from one of two areas of the body where stem cells are stored. The harvesting of stem cells for MS stem cell treatment is virtually painless, needing only a local anesthetic at the area of extraction.

When can i expect to feel the relief of symptoms?

Every patient is different, but most begin to feel a measurable difference in their MS symptoms within a few weeks.

This is because it takes time for the stem cells to seek out the damage and reach a sufficient population to effect tissue regeneration and repair to help treat MS.

Improvement to MS symptoms usually builds from there over the course of the next several months.

What symptoms of multiple sclerosis does stem cell therapy relieve?

Most patients using stem cells for multiple sclerosis therapy can expect a variety of symptom relief, which may include the following:

Improved Balance and Coordination
Reduced or Eliminated Numbness and Tingling
An Increase in Energy & Endurance
Improvement in Mental Focus and Concentration
Reduced or Eliminated Muscle Spasming
An Increase in Mobility and Range of Motion
An Improvement in Bladder Function
Reduced or Eliminated Pain, both Chronic and Acute
An Increase in Muscle Strength

Memory Improvement
Improved Speech
Reduced or Eliminated Depression
An Improvement in Vision
An Increase in Sexual Functions
Reduced or Eliminated Headaches
An Improvement in the Sense of Touch
A Possible Reduction in Medication Needs

Why should I choose MS stem cell therapy over more traditional methods?

Prior to the development of the stem cell procedure coming to the forefront of new therapies for MS, the only recourse for the relief of symptoms was drug-related.

Drug therapy may work for a while, but the body builds a tolerance that usually demands ever-increasing doses over time.

In many cases, there can be unpleasant or even life-endangering side effects. For some multiple sclerosis sufferers, drugs don’t work well at all or can even stop working.

Often, these are the patients who end up coming to our Center for MS stem cell therapy.

Can STem Cells Cure my Medical Condition?

When we treat a medical condition, we are just treating the condition, not curing it.

Neither fresh cells nor cultured cells can cure every disease, but they can do great things as far as reducing the severity of symptoms and stopping the advancement of the condition.

Normally, in a lot of chronic degenerative conditions or neurological conditions, several treatments will be needed because the effect of cellular therapies has a time limit.

Our unique approach includes a multi-dose treatment plan, in which we apply the cells once, with follow-ups at three, six, and nine month mark. If symptoms begin to occur, another round of treatment is needed.

What are the different cellular therapies
available for me?

Our comprehensive stem cell treatment protocols employ well-targeted combinations of Exosomes, allogeneic human Mesenchymal cells, and autologous bone marrow and Adipose derived stem cells to treat the diseases and conditions listed previously.

Our treatment plans are mostly focused on a systemic or whole-body approach to ensure these patients receive the highest quality and quantity of cellular products during their time in our hospital.

Of the different kinds of cellular products available for use, there are two main sources that can be used to target the conditions that have been previously discussed.

Autologous procedures

Autologous procedures are those in which the patient is their own donor for the cellular therapy treatment. In these kinds of procedures, a doctor takes a sample (usually of bone marrow or adipose tissue) and harvests the cells from it, before administering it locally to the diseased or damaged area.

Allogeneic procedures

Allogeneic procedures are those in which the patient receives cells that have been sourced from a donor that is not the patient. These samples are neonatal tissue and are comprised of umbilical cord blood.

They are extensively screened to ensure the quality and health of the cells.

The type of treatment used depends on a variety of factors, including medical history and age, but we endeavor to give each patient a personalized, case-by-case treatment plan to ensure that the only possible outcome is a positive one.

Which are the different
administration methods that we use?

After you’ve been selected a candidate, you will meet with our highly-trained team of medical professionals to devise a treatment plan tailored specifically to have the best results possible given your current condition.

Below we will outline the different methods of administering cellular therapies that we use in our medical facilities:

intrathecal-intraarterial

This form of implantation is ideal for neurological conditions because the stem cells are injected past the blood-brain barrier and directly into the spinal fluid, which enables them to reach the spinal cord and brain.

During the procedure, an experienced anesthesiologist inject stem cells into the spinal canal through the lower vertebrae under local anesthesia. They are all performed in a positive airflow room under sterile conditions, and the procedure usually takes about thirty minutes.

Intravenous IV

The safest and simplest method for delivering the stem cells throughout the body.

Anesthesia is not required. We may use Lidocaine topical spray to needle prick area beforehand.

IV administration usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes.

Intramuscular IM

The stem cells are injected directly into the muscle.

Intramuscular implantation is very safe and does not require anesthesia.

What´s Included as part of our treatment?

Before the first day of treatment, we go over the patient’s medical history, including previous and current treatments including physical therapy and cognitive therapy. We interview the patients to know more about them in order to form a custom treatment plan.

Medical General Assessment

Critical care evaluation

Specialist doctor evaluation

Anesthesiology evaluation

Perioperative care

Pharmacy and Supplies

Operating room

Anesthesia Services

Diagnostic/therapeutic imaging

Autologous stem cell acquisition

Pathology services

Hemodynamics suite

Patient coordination fee

Catheterization procedure

Mannitol injection

Med Surg Supplies sterile

Spinal tap procedure

Recovery

Laboratory fee

Culture/Expansion autologous BM
derived stem cells

Med Surg room

IV infusion

Follow up and recommendations

Pick up / Drop off from airport to accommodation and vice versa

Pick up/Drop Off the day of the procedure to and from hospital

Can stem cells help treat multiple sclerosis?

At present there are no FDA-approved treatments that specifically target the abnormal immune responses in MS.

Current approaches, such as interferon, copaxone, or immune suppressants all act in a nonspecific manner blocking immune responses against the myelin sheath.

While these approaches are useful for reducing the severity of disease, they do not repair the damage to nervous system tissue that has already occurred and therefore they cannot cure multiple sclerosis.