Stem Cell Therapy Offers Hope for Patients with Autoimmune Disorders
Clinical studies focusing on autoimmune disorders are increasingly becoming more common. Several companies have developed allogenic (other people’s stem cells) to show safety for autoimmune disorders. Graft versus host disease is a deadly disorder often occurring in children who receive bone marrow transplants.
Several studies have shown safety in initial trials. The more common autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Lupus may be the biggest breakthrough in terms of numbers of patients who could benefit from stem cell therapy. Already, clinical reports of using the patients own stem cells (autologous) to treat these conditions have been published.
Unlike with cancer, in autoimmune disorders there is no evidence that the stem cell will do harm. Actually, most research has shown that the Mesenchymal stem cell is an immune system modulator, meaning it can
Decrease inflammation caused by immune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Additionally, these patients often are placed on very toxic medications and many cannot tolerate these medications due to side effects.
Dennis M. Lox, M.D., a Sports and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, has seen many patients with autoimmune disorders who were given high doses of cortisone, some intravenously for weeks.
These patients consulted Dr. Lox because they developed avascular necrosis (AVN) as a result of the high dose of cortisone compounds. AVN can lead to rapid deterioration of the joint. Avascular necrosis in these cases may occur by fatty accumulation in the bone which impairs the blood supply to a region of bone and that area becomes necrotic (bone cell death). If this area collapses, rapid joint secondary degenerative arthritis may occur.
Dr. Lox has utilized Stem Cell Therapy in select cases as a means to try and heal the area of necrosis or prevent, secondary degeneration. Some patients are so pleased with the results they want stem cells placed in inflamed joints from their autoimmune disorder.
While our current and past understanding of how best to treat autoimmune disorders remains lacking, the emergence of Regenerative Medicine has reflected how ineffective and primitive some of our old and current treatment methods really are.
