Stem cell therapy is emerging as a breakthrough treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint pain and inflammation. Regenerative medicine has gained popularity due to its therapeutic opportunities to repair damaged tissues, ease pain, and improve immobility.
Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate and multiply into any cell type and modulate the immune system. This property is utilized in stem cell therapy to replace damaged tissues in the joints and regenerate new cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients.
Overview of Stem Cell Therapy For Arthritis
In stem cell treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are administered intravenously into the patient’s body to replace or repair damaged tissues and promote cartilage regeneration. The extraordinary capabilities of the MSCs to self-renew and regenerate tissues, also called cell differentiation, is attributed to the healing mechanism of the therapy, aiding in pain management.
Benefits Of The Stem Cell Treatment For Arthritis
Although recent data and numerous clinical studies show that stem cell therapy delivers promising results, it cannot be considered a “definitive cure” for arthritis. However, patients can expect significant improvements in their joint condition and symptom relief after receiving stem cells. The therapy has shown promising outcomes in RA patients in terms of reduction in pain and improvement in quality of life.
The therapeutic potential and benefits of stem cell therapy for arthritis include –
- Pain and symptom relief – RA patients have shown significant health improvement and reported reduced joint pain, swelling, inflammation, and stiffness. These are the common symptoms most patients go through, and hence, cell-based therapy has successfully managed them effectively.
- Disease Modification – Cellular healing using stem cells modifies the course of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Studies reported a notable decrease in the activity of the diseased immune cells after the treatment, leading to improved patient health.
- Immune Modulation – Human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells (HUCT-MSCs) are rich in immune-modulating properties that aid in regulating immune response and alleviating RA symptoms.
- Tissue Regeneration – Tissue repair and regeneration are stem cells’ primary functions, potentially reversing the damage RA causes to the joints and cartilage.
- Anti-inflammatory effects – MSCs get exposed to inflammatory agents released from the injured tissues and tone down inflammation with their pro-inflammatory properties.
Effectiveness of Stem Cell Therapy For RA Patients
Stem cell therapy has been proven to positively impact the imbalanced immune responses in patients with autoimmune diseases, and RA is one of them. Enough credible evidence is there to establish the immunosuppressive capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells, inhibiting the growth of cytotoxic T-cells. MSCs can regulate the overactive immune system and suppress inflammation that worsens RA.
The newly introduced stem cells can self-renew and regenerate into cartilage cells. At the same time, these cells release cytokines or proteins to slow cartilage degeneration, reducing pain and discomfort.
A study was conducted on 64 patients of Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2019 to understand and evaluate the effectiveness of stem cell therapy. All the patients have reported significant improvements in their physical strength, mobility, diet, and sleep after the treatment. No new signs or symptoms were detected in the patients throughout this study. In RA, rheumatic nodules form around the joints in the hands and fingers, making it impossible to keep them straight. Fortunately, the study shows that three years post-treatment, joints in the hands and fingers can be stretched freely as the nodules in the joints become soft and start fading.
The efficacy of stem cell treatment was relatively high compared to traditional drug therapy, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs. The disease recurrence rate is very high, along with long-term side effects. Most importantly, the conventional treatment approaches can neither slow the progression of RA nor promote damaged tissue repair and regeneration. However, stem cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissue positively impacts patients with stable outcomes, demonstrating its long-term efficacy.
The therapeutic effects of MSCs have significantly improved the quality of life of RA patients, stabilizing the immune system and decreasing inflammation.
Safety Of Stem Cell Therapy
Although typically reported as safe in most studies and clinical trials, patients should know that there might be some mild side effects, such as temporary swelling, pain, headache, vomiting, or nausea. The human umbilical cord tissue, or Wharton’s Jelly, is a source of newly born cells, minimizing the risk of unwanted reactions.
Further, the 2019 stem cell therapy study on 64 RA patients found the treatment safe. Their blood tests and other health vitals showed no signs of long-term abnormalities. The results of this primary research showed reduced inflammatory markers. Further, the researchers concluded that mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord tissues delivered long-term efficacy, ensuring patient safety.
Conclusion
Arthritis affects nearly 130 million individuals worldwide. Stem cell therapy is considered a promising therapy for Arthritis patients, delivering positive results in restoring joint function. By promoting new cartilage growth and tissue regeneration, it provides relief from pain and discomfort. The intrinsic properties of mesenchymal stem cells have made researchers put them in therapeutic use for potentially treating severe medical conditions.
Stem cells influence tissue regeneration through paracrine effects by communicating with existing cells, signaling them to change their behavior. When new cells are systemically introduced into the patient’s body via intravenous infusions, they migrate to the target-specific sites and differentiate into cartilage cells to replace or repair the diseased tissues.
Deciding to get stem cell therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Fill out our patient screening application form to find out if you are an eligible candidate for stem cell treatment. Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a renowned stem cell center in Mexico that strives to improve patients’ lives by utilizing the power of regenerative medicine and providing top-notch stem cell therapies with utmost care.
