More than 20 years ago, the level of development of medicine has reached unprecedented heights. Leading doctors of the world have begun to apply stem cell therapy in practice. Today, with the help of cell technologies, it has been possible to save tens of thousands of lives and significantly alleviate the condition of patients suffering from incurable diseases.
What are stem cells?
This cell element is the "building material" of the whole organism. It is with the division of one stem cell (zygote) that the formation and development of the human body begins.
The successful outcome of stem cell treatment is due to their peculiarity of self-renewal and development. After division, two types of cells are formed: those that have retained their properties (have not undergone change) and are transformed into cells of tissues and organs. This means that some cells always remain stem cells, others give life to new, body-forming ones.
Stem cells are carriers of genetic information and are responsible for the regeneration process in the body. To date, studies have been conducted, the results of which suggest that in the near future, stem cell treatment can save people from serious illnesses that are not amenable to the effects of medications and surgical intervention.
Where are in the body
The human body contains more than 50 billion constantly renewing stem cells.
The main sources of the main "building material" are:
- Blood from the umbilical cord. Contains the largest number of stem cells. Biomaterial retains its properties for 20 years, at which time it is placed in a special storage. To use this service, parents must contract with the Stem Cell Bank before giving birth. In addition, cells from umbilical cord blood have better biocompatibility, i.e., they are suitable for transplantation to immediate relatives.
- Red bone marrow is the site of stem cell localization in an adult. Puncture takes biomaterial from which new stem cells are artificially grown and transplanted to humans.
- Brain. Having a high degree of transformation, brain stem cells are not used in clinical practice. This is due to the fact that in order to extract them, it is necessary to completely destroy the brain.
- Myocardium. Stem cell therapy derived from it has not yet been practiced.
- Leather. The source of stem cells in both the embryo and the adult. Cells isolated from the skin are successfully used to treat any degree of burns.
- Bone marrow stroma. Cells have a high ability to repair damaged tissues and organs shortly after transplantation. Their main advantage is the low probability of complications after transplantation.
- Abortive material. Stem cells are isolated from the fetus by abortion. In many countries this procedure is prohibited.
- The embryo of the first week of fetal development. Obtaining stem cells from an embryo in Russia is officially prohibited, it is regarded as an encroachment on the life of a child who has not yet been born.
The embryonic cells have the highest degree of activity; their transplantation is also carried out by the next of kin. Cells taken from an adult transplant only to him and have lower activity compared to embryonic ones.
How do they work
At the slightest damage, stem cells are delivered with blood to the site of the lesion and start the regeneration process.
Every year their number decreases, and the body ages. A fetus in the womb has 1 stem cell per 10 thousand transformed cells, and at about 60-70 years old - per 8 million cells.
To get rid of the overwhelming number of ailments, a biomaterial is taken from a person from which stem cells are extracted. They reproduce in the laboratory and are transplanted back into the human body.
Achievements in cell medicine are so amazing that they allow you to direct active cells to the desired organ, accelerating the recovery process.
What diseases do they cope with
Stem cells are recognized as an effective treatment for:
- brain and spinal cord injuries;
- burns of varying severity;
- cardiovascular disorders;
- the vast majority of blood diseases;
- immunodeficiency;
- consequences of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer.
Currently, clinical trials are underway to identify a stem cell treatment regimen for neuropsychiatric disorders, liver and lung diseases, and lower limb ischemia.
In addition, this method is well established in cosmetology. Dermatological problems can be successfully treated with stem cells, customer reviews after the course of procedures are full of enthusiasm: scars on the skin, acne, age spots disappear; the skin looks healthy, smooth and well-groomed.
Age-related changes are also amenable to therapy - the skin becomes elastic, wrinkles are smoothed out.
Countries Using Stem Cells
Cell technology research requires significant government funding. Given the relevance of the tests, the heads of many states willingly allocate funds for the development of this area.
To date, the leading countries in the world that successfully use stem cells in the treatment of many diseases are:
- USA.
- Israel.
- Switzerland.
- South Korea.
- China.
- Japan.
- Russia.
Worldwide, officially registered more than 200 banks of cord blood.
Stem Cell Treatment in Russia
Most people prefer stem cell treatment in Moscow.
One of the most insidious diseases of our time, difficult to respond to standard therapy, is multiple sclerosis; stem cell treatment in Moscow of this disease has been carried out since 2003 in the Russian stem cell clinic. By the number of patients, the clinic is an undoubted leader.
The topic of treatment of multiple sclerosis is more relevant than ever - not one of the existing drugs can stop the development of the disease. In the best case, medication can be used to temporarily improve. Conferences have been held repeatedly in Moscow - the treatment of multiple sclerosis with stem cells was recognized as the best method of combating the disease.
In addition to the main metropolitan clinic, the largest centers in Russia successfully use stem cells:
- “Newest medicine”, Moscow.
- Clinic of Hematology and Cell Therapy named after A.A. Maksimova, Moscow.
- "Pokrovsky", St. Petersburg.
Cost
The price of stem cell treatment depends on the country, clinic, as well as on the problem of concern to the patient. In Russia, the cost ranges from 300-600 thousand rubles, it is due to the complexity of the work, but the likelihood of a successful outcome of treatment is much higher than with standard therapy.
It is important to understand that stem cells are not a panacea for all diseases. At the moment, with their help it is possible to achieve a better result than with conventional treatment. Perhaps in the near future, research in this area will allow us to develop a methodology for treating stem cells with incurable diseases today.