Stem cell therapy has been making waves in the medical world. It is, however, still just in its infancy. We didn’t even identify hematopoietic stem cells until the 1960s, and it wasn’t until 1998 that we were even able to isolate embryonic stem cells.
The biggest breakthrough, however, was in 2006 when Shinya Yamanaka and his team first reprogrammed adult stem cells back into their pluripotent state.
If you aren’t quite sure what those terms mean, don’t worry. The quickfire overview of the answer to the question “What are stem cells?” is that stem cells are master cells. They can become other types of cells as needed. Embryonic cells are pluripotent. This means that they can become any of the 200+ cells in the human body.
The issue with embryonic cells is that the embryo they come from needs to be destroyed in the process. Only donated IVF samples are used, if they are even legally allowed in the first place. This puts a huge limit on the number of available embryonic cells out there.
Instead, we use adult cells today. Adult cells are great, and can still do a large number of things for our health, but they are limited.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are certainly the future. They are more versatile and adaptable than adult stem cells, without the ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells. The only issue today is the cost. Creating just one clinical-grade strand of iPSCs can cost $50,000, at minimum, with personalized grades (the type that offers the most potential in the future) currently costing up to $800,000. This is a massive jump from the current stem cell therapy cost for adult cells.
What do these iPSCs mean for the future? This guide gets into just what’s next for stem cell therapy, so read on:
What’s Next for Stem Cell Therapy?
In the future, you may be able to get stem cell therapy for liver disease, to replace damaged organs, cure blindness, and so much more. This is in thanks to the iPSCs technology, as well as every stem cell’s natural proliferative capacity, which is its natural ability to divide and become new cells.
Organ Growth and Replacement
Stem cells, particularly iPSCs, can help replace damaged tissue in the organs, and may potentially be able to fully replace damaged organs in their entirety. If you are suffering from a late-stage liver disease, or live with chronic liver diseases, for example, you might be able to have a new liver grown from genetically programmed stem cells – specifically your stem cells – in the future.
Stem cell organ replacement isn’t just for those with chronic liver diseases, either. Everything, from fixing your heart, to your eyes, to every other organ in your body, with the exception of your brain, could, theoretically, be grown and replaced with your very own cellular replacement.
Replace Damaged Nerve Cells
Stem cells may be able to do more than just replace organs like liver tissue. They may also be useful in replacing damaged nerve cells, which can revolutionize treatment for those living with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Type 1 Diabetes
Similarly, stem cell transplantation may be able to help you finally get a leg up on diseases like Type 1 diabetes by repairing or replacing insulin-producing cells. This, in turn, can help finally turn the tide and offer a cure for those with this life-debilitating disease.
Cancer Treatment
Stem cells are currently used to help with blood cancers, but their efforts may be used more widely in the future. This is possible if we can find a way to successfully engineer an immune cell via stem cell therapy, so that the immune cell in question knows to attack the cancer cells specifically.
Anti-Aging
Stem cells can help with anti-aging in a few ways, from helping keep your skin looking more youthful, to collagen production up, to, of course, keeping your body functional. Many celebrities today are already investing in stem cell therapy to help improve their quality of life. With more access to engineered stem cells, this option may become more widely available to everyone.
Stem Cell Therapy Today
While stem cell therapy for liver diseases and other severe conditions is still not within the reach of many just yet, that doesn’t mean that stem cell therapy is sitting on its hands, either. You can currently get stem cell transplantation at any of the locations we cover, to help you with a variety of conditions.
Uses
What are stem cell injections capable of today? Rest easy, as transplantation today can help you manage:
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune conditions
- Spinal injuries
- Slipped discs
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Anti-aging
- And more
Limitations
There are limitations, of course. Your immune system may end up destroying the new stem cells unless they are sourced from your body in the first place. There’s also no guarantee your body will use the stem cells for the condition you want them to, even with a targeted injection.
Current Stem Cell Therapy Best Practices
To help reduce the risk of your immune system attacking your new stem cells, our stem cell treatments are comprised of cells derived from Wharton’s Jelly. These cells are juvenile, which means they are less likely to be singled out by your immune system and attacked.
We also provide a full consultation to make sure you’re a good fit before accepting you as a patient, to increase your likelihood of success. If your body accepts the cells, then you may be able to enjoy a reduction in inflammation in your system, your pain, and your symptoms.
Can’t Wait? Get in Touch with Our Team Today
Don’t want to wait for science to catch up? You can start with stem cell treatments today here at Bioxcellerator. Simply get in touch with our team and book an appointment. We’re here to answer any questions, and help shine a light on the process so you understand exactly what to expect, and the type of results you may be able to experience.
