A Panamanian-led, multidisciplinary research team has published the first description of non-expanded fat stem cells in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients. "Autologous Stromal Vascular Fraction Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rationale and Clinical Safety," which appears in the January publication of the International Archives of Medicine, followed 13 rheumatoid arthritis patients who were treated with their own fat-derived stem cells.
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) February 21, 2012
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) February 21, 2012
Treating arthritis with
fat-derived stem cells has become commonplace in veterinary medicine
over the past five years with over 7,000 horses and dogs treated by
publication contributor Vet-Stem, a San Diego-based company. The
objective of the joint Panamanian-US study was to determine feasibility
of translating Vet-Stem's successful animal results into human patients.
Observing no treatment associated
adverse reactions after one year, the team concluded that its protocol
should be studied further to determine efficacy in the treatment of
rheumatoid arthritis. Their publication details the rationale for the
use of fat derived stem cells in treatment of autoimmune conditions and
is freely available at: http://www.intarchmed.com/content/pdf/1755-7682-5-5.pdf
“Key to advancement of any medical
protocol is transparent disclosure of rationale, treatment procedures
and outcomes to the research community in a peer-reviewed and
IRB-compliant manner,” said Dr. Jorge Paz Rodriguez, Medical Director
of the Stem Cell Institute
and research team leader. “While we have previously published case
studies on the use of fat stem cells in multiple sclerosis patients, and
one rheumatoid arthritis patient, this is the first time that
comprehensive follow-up has been completed for a larger cohort of
patients,” he added.
An important distinction that
separates this particular approach from those which are being explored
by several international investigators is that the fat stem cells were
not grown in a laboratory, affording a substantially higher level of
safety and protocol practicality.
“This work signifies Panama's
emergence into the burgeoning field of translational medicine,”
commented Dr. Ruben Berrocal Timmons, the Panamanian Secretary of
Science and publication co-author. “We are proud to have attracted and
collaborated with internationally-renowned stem cell
clinical researchers such as Dr. Michael Murphy and Dr. Keith March
from the Indiana University School of Medicine Center for Vascular
Biology and Medicine, Dr. Boris Minev from the University of California,
San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Dr. Chien Shing Chen from Loma Linda
University Behavioral Medicine Center and Dr. Bob Harman from Vet-Stem.
By leveraging their vast, collective clinical experience with
Panamanian scientific infrastructure and know-how, we are striving to
develop effective, internationally recognized stem cell procedures that
will be accepted the world over.”
The treatment procedure involves a
mini-liposuction, collection of the fat's cellular component,
processing to obtain a population of cells that includes stem cells,
freezing the cells in preparation for quality control, and subsequent
re-administration of the cells into patients.
The Panamanian-US group has
previously shown that there is a specific type of T cell, called the T
regulatory cell, associated with fat stem cells, which is capable of
suppressing pathological immunity. Their current theory, which is
described in detail in the publication: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20537320,
is that the T regulatory component of the fat is capable of slowing
down or suppressing the “autoimmune” reaction, while the stem cell
component causes formation of new tissue to replace the damaged joints.
About the Stem Cell Institute
Founded in 2006 on the principles of providing unbiased, scientifically-sound treatment options, the Stem Cell Institute has matured into the world’s leading adult stem cell therapy and research center. In close collaboration with universities and physicians world-wide, the institute’s doctors treat carefully selected patients with spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Doctors at The Stem Cell Institute have treated over 1000 patients to-date.
For more information on stem cell therapy:
Stem Cell Institute Web Site: http://www.cellmedicine.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stemcellinstitute
Blogger: http://www.adult-stem-cell-therapy.blogspot.com
Stem Cell Institute
Via Israel & Calle 66
Pacifica Plaza Office #2A
San Francisco, Panama
Republic of Panama
Phone: +1 800 980-STEM (7836) (USA Toll-free) +1 954 636-3390 (from outside USA)
Fax: +1 866 775-3951 (USA Toll-free) +1 775 887-1194 (from outside USA)
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