How are stem cells administered?
Stem Cell Implantation
In case of any stem cell treatment the stem cells can be well implanted in four ways which entirely depends on every patient’s ailment and the physical condition which they are in. The patients typically receive the stem cells from anywhere between 3 to 16 stem cell applications which occurs during the course of the whole treatment protocol.
Intravenous (IV)
The safest and simplest method in case of stem cell for its delivery throughout the body. Anesthesia is also not required. Stem cell treatment providers may include Lidocaine which is a topical spray that helps with needle prick area beforehand.
IV procedure usually takes about 20 – 30 minutes.
Intramuscular (IM)
The stem cells in this treatment case are directly injected into the muscle. The intramuscular implantation is also very secure, safe and does not need any anesthesia whatsoever.
Intra-articular (IA)
The stem cells when injected directly into the affected joint can only be administered by a licensed physician. This particular method is very commonly used in case of arthritis. The Intra-articular implantation is absolutely safe and holds no need for any anesthesia.
Intrathecal (lumbar puncture)
Intrathecal administration is an ideal one for all the neurological conditions, this is entirely because the stem cell are well injected directly into the spinal fluid, and it takes place after the blood – brain barrier has been cleared. This will enable them to reach the spinal cord and brain.
During the lumbar procedure of puncture, there always happens to be an experienced anesthesiologist who injects the stem cell into the spinal canal through the lower vertebrae under local anesthesia. All the lumbar puncture procedures are well performed under a positive airflow room which happens to be under sterile conditions. Once the interior of the spinal fluid, the stem cells will be able to gain an access to the spinal cord as well as that of the brain.
Lumbar puncture is a procedure which usually takes about half an hour or 30 minutes.
Are the umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells used by the Stem Cell Institute approved by the US FDA?
The stem cells are the umbilical cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells which have received an IND designation from the US FDA.
The human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the ones that are isolated and grown in the laboratory to create cell banks for use.
These stem cells serve as the initiating material for the cellular products which were used in MSC clinical trials for the muscular dystrophy patients under the administration of US FDA’s designation of Investigational New Drug (IND) for single patient compassionate use.
How do I apply to become a patient?
How long will it take to get an appointment?
We have our medical team, once we receive your query, it usually takes about 7 working days to review it. As soon as the review is complete, we’ll contact you to discuss the available treatment options and places. You may additionally be asked to share your medical records.
Once the records are approved, the patient is given the earliest available appointment which is convenient for him or her.
If you are not eligible for the treatment basis the medical history, you will be notified by email.
What are the stem cell treatment hospitals like?
All the stem cell treatment is performed under the administration of best and experienced surgeons. Only the spinal cord injury patients would have their bone marrow collected at the hospital itself. Once you have shared your specification, our team of experts get to the task of finding the suitable place for your treatment from the plethora hospitals and medical service providers available. The stem cell treatment hospitals will have the best and proficient treatment with the best surgeons.
Is physical therapy or rehabilitation available?
Yes. This Physical therapy rehabilitation is done and administered according to each patient’s needs and physical therapy, this will be recommended by the medical team and will be provided during the whole course of treatment. The physical therapy is a must for and in case the treatment is a must.
Will my insurance cover the cost of treatment?
How much does this treatment cost?
The cost of treatment depends entirely on the nature of treatment which is required and it will be discussed with you following the patient’s application and diagnosis. The cost of the treatment encompasses treatment along with accommodation and breakfast, transportation facility from and to the airport along with VIP airport gate service and expedited customs clearance post the arrival.
In case you wish to know more about the treatment, get in touch and ask all the queries you have, this will help you understand what the specific requirement of the patient is and how to best accommodate and acknowledge it.
Are there any side effects?
Generally speaking, apart from the initial pain which is felt at the injection site, the patient will not undergo any feeling of discomfort. Less than 10% of themostly lumbar puncture in the patients go out to develop a minor fever, headache, nausea or vomiting. However, these side effects have never shown to last for more than three days and usually get resolved within a span of 24 hours. No long term side effects have been reported by any of the patient who has undergone this particular surgery.
How long will it take to see results?
Each treatment is different from the other and every patient is unique and different, there is no guarantee that the results will be as expected or the same treatment will work in the same way on every person. It depends on the specific patient condition. Immunity and the power to recovery which is the deciding factor that helps in deciding how swift the treatment recovery will be observed. The patients suggest that during the course of treatment others have shown swifter improvement within 6 months of returning to home. Some patients suggest that during the course of the treatment people have experienced improvement within 6 months of getting back home. There may be a case where there is no improvement whatsoever in the condition.
Will I be prescribed any drugs?
What is the treatment protocol for my disease/disorder and how long does it take?
Treatment protocols are different by the disease. Each patient’s physical condition and related medical factors are the deciding factors and play major role. Most of the protocol last for about 1-4 weeks and also consist of 3-16 sessions. Typically the treatment protocols can be well viewed.
Are umbilical cord tissue cells safe?
The immune system of the body is unable to be recognized and the umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal stem cells are foreign and therefore they are accepted quicker with no rejection rate whatsoever. There have been several cases of stem cell treatment in India. The umbilical cord-derived cells differentiate efficiently and proliferate better than any other cell. The stem cell treatment in India is extended by various hospitals and service providers.
How are the stem cells processed at the laboratory?
There are specialized laboratories which work to better the stem cells processing. These labs have special equipment and advanced procedures which help with the particular condition of stem cells. Post the processing of stem cell these are known to help better the particular condition of the patient.
Are there ethical issues involving these types of stem cell therapy?
Adult stem cells are not involved in the controversy, this ensures that the surrounding is not fatal and the embryonic stem cells work effeciently. Research on the stem cells and related subjects are encouraged by people of all belief, race, and cast. The researchers and doctors work together to ensure that the use of adult stem cells is done to treat the human disease, as an ethically acceptable alternative to the use of the ethically challenged fetal and embryonic stem cells.
How do stem cells work?
The stem cells are the specialized cells which are the progenitor cells that hold the capability of regeneration and differentiation into a wider range of the specialized cell types. Once the injected stem cells follow the inflammatory signals which are acquired from the damaged tissue and hold multiple ways of repairing the damaged areas.
The Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used to be considered and to be multipotent which means they can transform into different cell types but cannot form an organ) but not pluripotent. In the body, these cells Do NOT function by transforming into different cell types or tissues.
They act via anti-inflammatory activity, immune modulating capacity, and the ability to stimulate regeneration. We go through a very high throughput screening process to find cells that we know have the best anti-inflammatory activity, the best immune modulating capacity, and the best ability to stimulate regeneration.
Where do these stem cells come from?
The Stem Cell treatment in India utilizes the adult stem cells which are derived from:
- Human Umbilical Cord Tissue – This tissue is a rich source of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
However, since the human umbilical cord tissue is a much more robust source of Mesenchymal stem cells, we are no longer bound to treat the patient with MSCs from fat tissue.
Which kinds of stem cells are used generally?
The primary stem cells types are well leveraged for the case of stem cell therapy in any premium stem cell treatment arrangement by a reputed hospital.
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells – These are ideally well suited in case the wish is to treat the disease as systemic autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. These also come into play when regeneration of tissue is involved. The regeneration of tissue helps suggest that the stem cells can be well cured and worked for.
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells – The stem cells are best suited for the case of tissue regeneration due to the effect of specialized cells with specific revascularization characteristics in the prime role helping with the tissue repairing function of the Mesenchymal stem cells.