Seasons of Life

Medical Stem Cell Treatments

Regenerating Tissue

By Linda Barnes

You may have a notion of what stem cell treatments can do. Perhaps someone you know has had a stem cell transplant to treat leukemia, a blood disorder, or another cancer. Did you know that stem cells are being studied, and even used, for many other medical applications? Interest in stem cells has flourished in recent years, as scientists began to see the possibilities for treating a variety of medical conditions.

Stem cells are the basic building blocks that can reproduce identical cells or differentiate into specialized cells such as bone, blood, or other tissues. Stem cells can be acquired from amniotic fluid or umbilical cords that have been donated with consent. Stem cells can also be gathered from one’s own blood, bone marrow, or fat tissue.

Bone marrow from a donor is another possible way to collect stem cells, in a process called bone marrow aspiration. First, local anesthetic is used to make the donor more comfortable. Then, a needle is used to collect bone marrow blood from the hip area. This blood is then processed, as minimally as possible, to concentrate and separate the stem cells. The cells are then able to be injected, guided by ultrasound, into the area that is being treated.

When we sustain an injury, our bodies have their own mechanism for regenerating tissue to repair or replace that which is damaged. If you cut your finger, the process goes into high gear to begin knitting the tissue back together. The same thing happens with bone injuries or fractures.

Our bodies have an amazing ability to heal themselves, but damaged tissue is sometimes slow to recover. It takes a long time for the ligaments around an ankle sprain to heal, especially when we must walk to maintain our daily routines or to fulfill our job. Healing may also slow down due to aging. In some cases, healing takes longer simply because an injury is extensive.

Doctors are now utilizing stem cells in therapies to facilitate healing and regeneration of tissue. Some success has been achieved with conditions involving cartilage insufficiency. For example, osteoarthritis from wear and tear on joints may improve with stem cell therapy. So many of us experience painful joints as we age! The cartilage that cushions a joint simply wears down over time. Stem cell therapy may help repair some of the damage, allowing us to have less pain and get back to more active lives.

Other common conditions that respond favorably to stem cell therapy are those that involve ligaments and tendons. An injection of stem cells has the potential to lessen the inflammation that causes pain when these tissues are injured. Their components promote healing. The high concentration of stem cells is an important aspect of their therapeutic effect.

Theoretically, stem cell therapy could be used to improve function wherever there is tissue damage. The hope is that, in the future, stem cells may provide an alternative to organ transplantation. Donor organs are always in limited supply. Stem cells may be the answer to restoring organs in years to come.

Stem cell therapy can facilitate our own healing mechanisms to repair or restore damaged tissues without resorting to surgery. With some exceptions (transplants for blood disorders and cancers), these applications are typically not covered by insurance. It is important to have a good understanding of the cost of any treatments you consider.

The number of treatments needed varies from person to person and depends upon the particular therapy. Some might require one treatment with a period of healing. Other conditions might necessitate follow-up treatments. The duration of improvement is also an individual matter. A few may be permanent, while others are likely to be effective for a limited time.

Since some applications are not monitored or approved by the FDA, it is especially wise to use a reputable provider. Get recommendations from your trusted care team, family, or colleagues. Of course, you’ll want credentialled professionals with expertise in your particular issue.

The research and trials going on are exciting for many medical uses of stem cell therapies. They will be tested for safety and effectiveness. There is hope for treatment of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, burns, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Stem cell therapy is also used for some cosmetic applications (learn more in our Good Health article on page 36).

Researchers also look at ways to use stem cells to test new drugs. They have gained a better understanding of how and why diseases occur. Understanding how a stem cell can be directed to become a specific kind of cell will usher in new treatments for diseases that we currently consider incurable.

Sources for this article included: unmc. edu, health.usnews.com, and mayoclinic.org.