A small early-stage human trial of stem cell therapy on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients has made doctors hopeful that the treatment may have a long-term beneficial impact. Administering stem cells into the affected parts of the brain in MS patients has been shown to stabilize the condition progression and prevent further damage.
Scientists consider stem cell treatment a groundbreaking innovation that could stall MS progression and offer patients a new hope to lead an everyday life. The clinical trial results are an early promise to curb Multiple Sclerosis. Let’s get into the details of how cell-based therapies revolutionize MS treatment with lasting results.
Table of Contents:
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. In MS patients, the immune system becomes hyperactive and mistakenly starts attacking the protective covering of the nerves, called the myelin sheath. The nerve damage and inflammation disrupt the transmission of signals between the brain and body, resulting in an inability to carry out simple, day-to-day activities.
Some of the most visible symptoms of MS that affect a patient’s quality of life are:
- Difficulty in walking, balancing, and coordination
- Poor vision, blurred or loss of vision, color distortion
- Muscle stiffness, spasms, and weakness
- Numbness or loss of sensation in legs and arms
- Frequent tremors or shaking
- Difficulty in speaking, eating, and swallowing
- Problems in bladder and bowel movements
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Problems in sexual activities and function
Stem Cell Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from human umbilical cord tissue (Wharton’s Jelly) prevent nerve degeneration and inflammation and simultaneously promote the healing of damaged nerves. These stem cells exhibit exceptional immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which help regulate the over-responsive immune system and prevent further degradation.
Recent advancements in stem cell research have made doctors and scientists hopeful that stem cell therapy could be a potential treatment for chronic neurological disorders, including Multiple Sclerosis. The self-renewing and pluripotent characteristics of MSCs of human umbilical cord tissue make them suitable for cell-based therapy in the brain. These cells migrate to the inflamed nerves in the central nervous system to repair them and halt the symptoms’ progression.
How do Stem Cells Regrow Myelin and Stabilize MS Progression?
Stem cell treatment for Multiple Sclerosis, specifically the infusion of mesenchymal stem cells, has shown remarkable potential in preventing myelin degradation. Besides repairing nerve damage in the myelin sheath and halting its degeneration, the newly induced MSCs into the central nervous system promote remyelination.
Remyelination is the creation of new myelin sheaths on the demyelinated axons in the central nervous system. It is achieved by propagating oligodendrocyte precursor cells to turn them into myelinating cells called oligodendrocytes. Stem cells supply the cytokines and growth factors necessary for oligodendrocyte cell differentiation and function.
Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate and multiply into neural stem cells upon reaching the target areas, which helps in oligodendrocyte cell production and remyelination.
Primary Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for MS
There is growing evidence in clinical trials and studies that stem cell treatment for MS can significantly improve the patient’s condition with its positive effects. Some notable benefits of stem cells in MS treatment include:
- MSCs have immunomodulatory properties that help suppress the function and activities of autoreactive T cells, which is the origin of MS development.
- Stem cell therapy prevents the nerves from damage, reduces inflammation, and protects neurons from immune system attacks.
- Mesenchymal stem cells repair the damaged myelin sheath and promote remyelination through cell regeneration.
- Stem cell administration is minimally invasive but requires a longer recovery period.
- Patients can resume normal activities within one or two days of receiving stem cells.
- Stem cell treatment for MS has a significant reduction in the debilitating symptoms of this neurodegenerative condition with overall stabilization.
Success Rate of Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Preliminary efficacy data and patient-reported data on treating MS using stem cells indicate promising results with a high success rate. 85% of the patients in a clinical trial have reported sustained positive improvements in their condition, including reductions in MS symptoms and neuroinflammation. Although the treatment is considered safe and effective, more research is needed to confirm its efficacy in MS.
The average signs of improvement observed in most patients are improvements in balance, coordination, muscle strength, memory, and vision. Patients also significantly increase their stamina and energy levels, enhancing their physical and sexual activities.
Cost Of Stem Cell Therapy For Multiple Sclerosis
Usually, stem cell therapies are personalized by the clinics based on the individual body’s needs, so the price differs from patient to patient. Also, the cost of stem cell therapy for MS usually varies by the location of the treatment center.
The key determining factors of stem cell therapy cost are the patient’s current condition, the severity of the disease, pre-therapy investigations, the number of stem cell doses required, etc.
Best Stem Cell Treatment Center for MS
Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a reputed stem cell therapy facility in Mexico. It is best known for its advanced technologies, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and compassionate medical team.
If you seek affordable stem cell therapy in Mexico, look no further than this institute. Contact their experts to discuss your health concerns and get the best care.
Final Thoughts
In Multiple Sclerosis, the immune system becomes overactive and damages the neurons in the central nervous system’s protective covering (myelin sheath). Stem cell therapy using umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells is a viable and safe treatment option that repairs the damaged nerve cells and enables remyelination, thereby restoring the normal functioning of the central nervous system. Cellular therapy has shown promising outcomes in several clinical trials in stabilizing the progression of MS and improving the patient’s condition.
