Hope For Future MS Patients
Multiple sclerosis is an insidious auto-immune disease process that destroys the myelin sheaths, which surround axons of the brain and spinal cord. Axons are the main "freeway" of nerve signals that control muscle function, movement, and cognitive abilities.
Multiple sclerosis is also known as MS, a condition that literally causes the body's immune system to attack and destroy its own myelin sheaths, which prevents axons from receiving and sending out signals.
Multiple sclerosis can either be a relapsing form of the disease or progressive form of the disease. In the relapsing form of MS, symptoms may peak and ebb, such as waves in an ocean tide, with long periods of inactivity in between episodes. The progressive form of the disease causes a general increase of symptoms and neurological problems as the disease advances.
Stem Cell Research and MS
Large strides have been made in the use of stem cell therapy, re-implantation and transfusion to help treat and alleviate symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis. Several stem cell research and treatments facilities, among them EmCell, located in Ukraine, have reported improved quality of life and relief of symptoms of patients diagnosed with the relapsing form of the disease process. Even patients diagnosed with the progressive form of the disease have been treated with a nearly 60% success rate through fetal stem cell transplantation.
Patients followed for approximately 5 years post-treatment showed a definitive regression of neurological symptoms following stem cell transplantation, with neuro muscular improvement, decreased weakness, and enhanced mental outlook in approximately 93% of patients. According to studies in the EmCell facilities, patients showed:
Broken down even further, EmCell stem cell research and treatment facility followed 18 multiple sclerosis patients and recorded neurological symptoms for years after treatment in the areas of:
Before fetal stem cell transplantation, patients were rated at a scale of 10, and four years after the transplant should definitive improvement (ranging in scores from 1 to 6) in coordination, self care capacity, muscle control, deep reflexes and abdominal reflexes.
In the United States, Northwestern University in Chicago and other medical universities throughout the country are conducting clinical trials using patients own stem cells (autologous) to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis with promising results.
Stem cell transplantation utilizes stem cells from various sources to be stimulated into growing new, healthier cells which are then harvested and transplanted or re-infused into the person afflicted with multiple sclerosis. To date, scientific research into stem cells has identified multiple types of stem cells and sources. The most commonly studied, and used, stem cell therapies today involve the use of:
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Embryonic (fetal) stem cell therapy
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Adult stem cell therapy and research
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Umbilical cord stem cell therapy
How Much do Stem Cell Treatments Cost?
Stem cell treatments in the U.S. in the future are projected to be $25,000-$50,000 depending on the type of stem cell therapy utilized, the disease being treated and the method of therapy, including stem cell transplantation and number of sessions necessary. Prices in China are generally about $40,000 and placenta stem cell treatments in India and Mexico range about $25,000. Facilities in Central Europe also offer stem cell treatment cycles for substantial savings over projected costs in Western Europe and the U.S. in the future.
Choosing a doctor for Stem Cell Therapy Treatments
Many facilities worldwide offer stem cell therapy, but it's important to locate accredited and experienced physicians who deal with stem cell treatments. Doctors specializing in oncology or neurodegenerative disease processes should be trained, certified and accredited through country of origin or international accreditation and certification boards and should also belong to organizations or associations of their specialty. |
