Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that triggers an inflammatory and immune response against nerve fibers. More specifically, MS’s antibodies target the myelin sheaths of neurons, which are responsible for accelerating electrical transmission between neurons and the rest of the body. Over time, nerve fibers inflict extensive damage that leads to symptoms such as weakness, vision problems, unexplained pain, speaking issues, and depression.
Since the discovery of MS, several medications have been developed, but none of them offer a definitive cure. Additionally, these medications may cause side effects, and in some patients, they develop tolerance to the drugs that become ineffective. Similar to all autoimmune diseases, the exact triggers, causes, and pathophysiology of MS are yet to be fully understood, which create it a challenge to find an effective treatment.
Many have researched and studied the effects of stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. Many have shown positive improvements in reduction of symptoms, medication, and even some showing possible repair in tissue damage.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Effective?
The ability of stem cells to differentiate into all cellular types houses an incredible, untapped potential to treat a variety of medical conditions, including multiple sclerosis. Each person is unique, and like medicines available for MS patients, stem cell therapy will not guarantee results or cure someone with MS. But is it effective and safe? There are studies showing the evidence to support the efficacy of stem cell therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. And scientists are still conducting clinical trials to make sure that the treatment is effective and safe in the long-term.
In one clinical trial, researchers applied HDIT/HCT (high-dose immunosuppressive therapy with autologous hematopoietic cell transplant) on 24 volunteers aged 26 to 52. After 5 years of this procedure, researchers found that 69% of participants did not experience any symptom that suggests a relapse or new imaging evidence (MRI) that may indicate subclinical brain lesions.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci stated that “These extended findings suggest that one-time treatment with HDIT/HCT may be substantially more effective than long-term treatment with the best available medications for people with a certain type of MS; These encouraging results support the development of a large, randomized trial to directly compare HDIT/HCT to standard of care for this often-debilitating disease.”
While results may vary, MS patients who receive stem cell therapy have shown to experience symptom improvement and a reduction of medication intake. Some symptom improvements have included increased energy, strength, mobility, flexibility, and function control.
The treatment is noninvasive, well-tolerated in most patients, and does not require any downtime. With its lasting beneficial healing properties, stem cell therapy is giving excellent early signs that warrant an extensive research plan to unveil all the therapeutic potential of this treatment.
This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
