Medical advances are always tantalising in their promise of a cure-all ‘magic bullet’ or of a better, longer, more productive life. The latest magic bullet is stem cell therapy (SCT) research into which is progressing rapidly as scientists view both therapeutic and cosmetic SCT with growing enthusiasm.

By John Howe

What Does It Treat?
Countless potential benefits arise from stem cell therapy but perhaps the main benefit is to faithfully replicate damaged tissues and organ parts, like heart, lung, brain, nerve, skin and blood tissues. Currently about 100 illnesses are being treated using stem cell therapies, ranging from leukaemia to replacing damaged heart tissue. In the fullness of time, there is the potential for limitless applications of this exciting technology.

Understanding Stem Cells

Stem cells differ from other kinds of cells in the body. All stem cells, regardless of their source, have three general properties: they are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods; they are unspecialized; and they can give rise to specialized cell types.

What Exactly Is A Stem Cell?
A special type of “source” or “starter” cell that has the ability to grow into adult tissue. Stem cells are the foundation for every organ, tissue and cell in the human body. Stem cells may be able to repair or replace damaged tissue, thereby reversing diseases and injuries such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and blood diseases, to name a few.
Source: www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org

The History
The history of stem cell research started in the mid-18th century when it was noticed that some cells reproduce themselves and so were recognised as the ‘building blocks’ of life. But the discipline took off in the early 1900s when scientists realised that certain types of blood cells arise from one ‘stem’ cell. But it was not until 1963 that research by two Canadian scientists kick started the discipline. Ernest A McCulloch and James E Till noted the self-regeneration of transplanted mouse bone marrow cells. From that point, stem cell research has progressed rapidly. In 1998, James Thompson in the USA successfully removed stem cells from a foetus and created the first stem cell line. It is still in existence today.

How It Works
Stem cells are kept in a controlled chemical environment until required to develop into different cell types when their environment is chemically adjusted to grow muscle, blood, bone, or nerve cells. Stem cells can be harvested from two main sources from embryo and adult tissues. Stem cells can also be taken from the umbilical cord and placenta just after birth.

As they are more easily encouraged to develop into different cell and tissue types, embryonic cells are most frequently used in SCT. Adult stem cells are found throughout the body’s different tissues but stimulating them to produce different tissue types is more difficult. They are however easily nudged to develop the type of cells of the tissue from which they were harvested, like heart, skin or bone.

2 Types of Stem Cells

Unlimited Stem Cells (also known as embryonic stem cells) – obtained with patients’ permission from leftover three-day old embryos that would otherwise be discarded from fertility clinics. These embryos are created and exist entirely outside the body. Unlimited stem cells can develop into any kind of cell type or tissue in the body.

Limited Stem Cells (also known as adult stem cells) – rare cells that can be found in only some developed organs or tissues. Limited stem cells have been successfully used for some time now in bone marrow transplants (either with bone marrow stem cells or umbilical cord blood stem cells) and skin and hair transplants.

Source: www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org

Stem Cells Therapy

Did you know that several stem cell therapies are routinely used to treat diseases today? These include: Bone Marrow Stem Cells, Peripheral Blood Stem Cells and Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Transplant

Application
As stem cells can reproduce indefinitely, medical researchers are seeking new ways to use these unique cells that have the potential to treat and perhaps cure a wide range of maladies from bone marrow and blood cancers to better cosmetic treatments. Trials are also underway to encourage stem cells to produce other tissues and organs like bone or heart muscle.

Although stem cells are used in only limited medical conditions presently, they hold out the promise of a future filled with potential uses and not just in treating disease and curing chronic conditions. The study of human embryonic stem cells will eventually open the door to the mysteries of human embryo and foetal development with its potential to prevent what are now disabling congenital conditions.

What’s Next?
As stem cells can reproduce indefinitely, medical researchers are seeking new ways to use these unique cells that have the potential to treat and perhaps cure a wide range of maladies from bone marrow and blood cancers to better cosmetic treatments. Trials are also underway to encourage stem cells to produce other tissues and organs like bone or heart muscle.

The research on stem cells is showing long term potential. Stem cells are the body’s master cells and because they have not yet formed specialized cells, they can be prodded into producing any kind of specialised, or differentiated tissue.

> Stem cells are frequently used as a cure for diabetes, or certain types of blindness, for treating severe heart disease and even re-growing nerves in the brain and spinal cord. But more research and clinical trials need to be conducted before the full potential of SCT can be realised.

> Stem cells can also be used to test the safety and efficacy of experimental and new drugs. This application is already being used to test some anticancer drugs. Again there is a long way to go with this research, as it is not yet suitable for testing on many new drugs.

> Another exciting avenue of research that will yield future benefits is the use of stem cells to replace ailing or destroyed tissue. The potential for unlimited replaceable cells for cases of paralysis, stroke, arthritis and even Alzheimer’s disease is immense. This form of treatment gives a clear advantage over conventional organ transplants because the newly differentiated stem cells are recognised as the recipient’s own cell. This does not trigger the immune system to reject them; which eliminates the life-long need to take toxic immuno-suppressant drugs.

Expanding The Use Of Stem Cells
Stem cell uses may not be confined to preventative medicine or to curative conditions; their use in cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery is also of great benefit and is currently being used in a few procedures. ABC news has recently reported that a University of Pittsburgh team is experimenting with the used of adult fat stem cells to create breast tissue which may be implanted into a partial mastectomy to replace and re-grow tissue lost to cancer. Although the application of stem cell technology is not without controversy, it offers an enticing glimpse into a future bright with the potential to treat currently debilitating and fatal conditions and to aid those who wish to keep their looks fresh and young for as long as possible.

Stem Cell Treatments

Stem cell research has the potential to impact countless diseases and injuries. Below are just a few examples.

> Neurological
Parkinson’s disease, Spinal cord injury (paralysis), Retinal disease, Multiple sclerosis, Neuroblastoma (cancer of various nerve tissues often occurring in children)

> Blood
Childhood and adult leukemia, Sickle-cell anemia, Immunodeficiency, Lymphomas, Hodgkin’s disease, Lupus, Arthritis, Bone marrow failure, Type 1 Diabetes

> Additional Diseases Stem Cell Research Could Impact
Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, Spinal muscular atrophy, Pulmonary disease, Renal disease, Hearing disorders, Glial-based disorders, AIDS, Stroke

> Other
Burns, Ovarian cancer, Heart muscle loss following heart attack, Aneurysms, Breast cancer, Liver disease including hepatitis, Sports injuries, Bone injuries

Source: www.tellmeaboutstemcells.org

Where to Find Stem Cell Treatments
Stem cell treatments are already available in Asia both for the treatment of congenital and other chronic conditions, like bone marrow transplants, Parkinson’s disease and other neurological and blood disorders, but increasingly for cosmetic procedures also.

> Tianan Puhua Hospital in Beijing specialises in the treatment of neurological conditions. - www.stemcellspuhua.com

> Bangkok’s Chaophya Hospital specialises in the treatment of chronic heart conditions like ischaemic heart disease. - www.chaophya.com

> Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok is one of Asia’s biggest hospitals with a worldwide reputation for excellence. Stem cell therapy is available for bone marrow transplantation. - www.bumrungrad.com

> Vital Life Wellness Center in Bangkok provides anti-ageing treatments designed to the individual. The Center also offers stem cell based topical treatments for the rejuvenation of ageing skin. - +662 667 1000