Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries

The results of a study at the Sapporo Medical University in Japan showed that bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy is safe and effective for treating spinal cord injuries.

Japan Approves First Commercial Stem Cell Product: Stemilac

Japan has approved the first commercially produced stem cell-based product, Stemilac, for spinal cord injury treatment. Stemilac was developed jointly by Nipro and Sapporo Medical University and is the first marketed product approved worldwide for stem cell therapy. It is available exclusively at Sapporo Medical University in Sapporo, Japan.

Unprecedented Advancement

“This is an unprecedented revolution in science and medicine that will open a new era of healthcare,” says oncologist Masanori Fukushima, head of the Translational Research Informatics Center, a Japanese government organization in Kobe that has been providing advice and support for the project for over a decade.

Open-Label Study Results

In an open-label trial, researchers in Japan evaluated autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in 13 patients who had experienced a severe spinal cord injury one month before treatment.

Results

Firstly, twelve of the thirteen patients showed visible improvement: increased sensation and more significant movement of hands and feet. No severe events were reported.

Six months post-treatment, 12 of the 13 patients improved by at least one grade on the American Spinal Injury Association disability scale, an internationally recognized system that classifies the ability of people to contract muscles and maintain sensation.

Mechanisms of Repair

Researchers believe that stem cells could repair spinal cord damage through various mechanisms. These mechanisms include reducing inflammation, protecting existing neurons, and replacing damaged neurons.

How Can Stem Cell Therapy Improve Lost Functions Due to Spinal Cord Injury?

The goal of stem cell therapy is to replace lost and damaged neurons. Additionally:

• Modulates and enhances the immune system response
• Eliminates cellular debris
• Limits secondary damage by protecting neurons and reducing inflammation
• Improves angiogenesis
• Promotes healing by encouraging endogenous stem cell regeneration
• If administered shortly after injury, stem cell therapy can limit initial degeneration

Start Your Stem Cell Treatment and Recover Your Health

Today, Stem Cell Treatments are the best alternative to recover your health. The first step to start is scheduling your Medical Evaluation. With it, we can review your tests and begin your Treatment based on them.

Scheduling your evaluation before starting treatment is necessary because it allows us to personalize treatments for patients, leading to better results in less time.

With over 30 years of clinical experience and hundreds of families who have recovered their health with our Stem Cell Treatments, regenerative medicine is confirmed as the most compelling aspect of modern medicine.

To learn more about stem cells, visit our article “Stem Cells and Their Application.“