Stem Cell Treatments for Asthma. Patients with severe asthma have unmet clinical needs for effective and safe treatments. One promising avenue is therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, chronic inflammatory response, and excessive structural remodeling. Current therapeutic strategies for asthmatic patients focus on controlling the activity of type 2 helper T lymphocytes in lung tissue. However, most available therapies are symptomatic and costly, leading to various side effects, and discontinuation of these modalities often contributes to a relapse of asthma symptoms.
Stem Cell Treatments for Asthma
Asthma is one of the global respiratory health problems affecting both children and adults. Current treatment strategies, such as conventional and allergen-specific immunotherapy, still lag behind. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have a broad regenerative capacity and immunoregulatory activity with their wide range of secretions and contact-dependent manner. In this review, we focus on current treatment strategies for asthma and MSC as a novel therapeutic tool.
To date, different reports have highlighted the advantages and beneficial outcomes regarding the transplantation of different sources of stem cells. These products are relevant for disease relief and the restoration of injured sites. However, efforts are already underway to better understand why these cells trigger therapeutic effects. Precise comprehension of these mechanisms will aid in translating stem cells to the clinical setting.
The article “Unraveling the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells in asthma” from PubMed, published on September 15, 2020, describes the current knowledge and future perspectives related to the therapeutic application of stem cell-based therapy. All are based on animal models of asthma, with an emphasis on the underlying therapeutic mechanisms.
What Can Stem Cells Do for Asthma?
Stem cells derived from the patient’s own fat can be effective in improving asthma symptoms, especially in those for whom medications are inadequate or have too many side effects. Stem cells have a strong effect on the immune system and can be highly effective in reducing asthma symptoms. Over 75% of patients have experienced proven improvements.
Stem cells from your own fat can have a powerful effect on your immune system. Typically, these cells are highly anti-inflammatory. Many asthma patients see rapid improvement due to this strong anti-inflammatory effect. Since this effect can last for years, the long-term response is not uncommon.
Stem Cell Treatments for Asthma
Who Is a Good Candidate for Stem Cell Therapy for Asthma? Almost any asthma patient who does not have a medical condition preventing them from receiving stem cells is a good candidate. Conditions that may hinder stem cell therapy include active cancer or infection. Additionally, individuals taking blood thinners may need to adjust them before undergoing stem cell therapy (if you fall into any of these cases, contact us, and we will develop a plan for you). Ideal candidates are those with poorly controlled asthma or significant side effects from their asthma medications. People with frequent hospitalizations due to asthma often make good candidates.
Contact us for stem cell therapy for asthma. If you want to learn more, don’t miss reading our article Human Stem Cells: What are stem cells?
