Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

At Clínica Vertebra we offer two types of therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells:

Therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from Adipose Tissue

Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells (pericytes) of adipose tissue is a short-term procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis in the Department of Surgery at Clínica Vertebra. Obtaining Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from adipose tissue (Adipose Stem Cells -ADSC-) is less invasive than performing a bone marrow extraction and a much larger volume of cells is obtained that must be subjected to a cell expansion process to obtain enough cells that are capable of regenerating damaged tissues.

Our technology allows us to complete the entire procedure on the same day, using minimally manipulative methods and, most importantly, in complete safety and in our own advanced facilities.

The complete process of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy can be performed in a time between 4 and 5 hours. There is no need to send samples to an external laboratory and wait days for the Stem Cells to return for intravenous injection or other percutaneous surgical procedure. This accelerated process provides an increase in Stem Cell counts without manipulation.

The treatment process is carried out in 4 stages:

  1. Obtaining
  2. Separation
  3. Activation
  4. Therapeutic Inoculation

1. OBTAINING

A small amount of fat (50 cc – 200 cc) is obtained from the patient’s waist or upper buttock area, the method being similar to liposuction performed by a surgical specialist, under intravenous sedation and control by a specialist anesthesiologist. in an operating room duly accredited by the Department of Health (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the Ministry of Health.

By using the patient’s own adipose tissue to extract the Stem Cells, it means that the donor and recipient are the same person, so there is no danger of host rejection. It is therefore an autologous treatment or a cell transplant.

2. SEPARATION

Stem Cells are separated from adipose tissue cells in the high-speed Stem Cell centrifuge machine, where centrifugal force separates dormant stem cells from the harvested fat tissue.

3. ACTIVATION

Once the Stem Cells are isolated and after enrichment with the patient’s blood plasma, they are enzymatically activated and prepared for transfer to the patient.

4. THERAPEUTIC INOCULATION

Activated Stem Cells are added to the saline drip bag and returned to the patient’s body via standard intravenous drip while the patient is resting, or inoculated percutaneously into the damaged region of the body.

The therapeutic action is a complex process, which includes mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level, but in summary we could simplify it as follows: when the activated Stem Cells are returned to the patient’s body, they are circulating through the vascular system for a short period of time. until they are attracted to proteins that are secreted in the area of damaged tissue. Stem Cells rush to the injured area and become new healthy tissue. When these are inoculated into the damaged tissue, the process is direct to the therapeutic target.

The use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is indicated mainly in the treatment of degenerative processes.

Therapy with Selected and Cultured Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Advances in Regenerative Medicine have been evident in recent years with new knowledge obtained through the study and research with stem cells, whose use in replacement therapy has given rise to a new era in medicine.

Mesenchymal stem cells are capable of regenerating damaged tissues and have become one of the most studied cell therapies in Regenerative Medicine. They have proven to be effective in the treatment of different types of pathologies, both in preclinical trials and in clinical trials. Their potential lies in their ability to differentiate into different cell types, allowing them to replace damaged or necrotic cells in specific tissues. In this sense, its use in Regenerative Medicine is presented as a promising therapeutic alternative to treat different diseases and injuries.

The advanced Regenerative Medicine therapies practiced at Clínica Vertebra comply with existing international regulations and are supported by scientific evidence.

The regular program of selection and cultivation of autologous mesenchymal cells from adipose tissue is carried out in the Clean Room with strict asepsis measures designed for safety level BL 3 in our own facilities, avoiding risks of transfer and conservation of the sample and counting. with precise technology: laminar flow cabin, Rotofix centrifuge, orbital incubator, CO₂ incubator, Junior Plus C cryopreservator, ultra-freezer -86º, freezer -9 °C, industrial freezer, trinocular microscope, electronic cell counter and individualized sample labeling which guarantees and ensures the excellence of the processes carried out safely by the Center’s Biology Department.

The procedure is carried out in two phases, after a clinical and preoperative study:

PHASE I: Short-term procedure carried out in the Surgery Unit of Clinica Vertebra to obtain Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from adipose tissue: We use the patient’s own adipose tissue to extract the stem cells necessary for the treatment of a small amount of fat obtained from the patient’s waist or upper gluteal area, performed by a surgical specialist, under intravenous sedation and control by an anesthesiology specialist. Using the patient’s own adipose tissue means that the donor and recipient will be the same person, it is an autologous procedure.

PHASE II: Mesenchymal Stem Cell culture and cryopreservation program to convert them into therapeutic cells: It is carried out in the facilities of the Clean Room and Cellular Therapy Laboratory, within the same Center, the cell selection and culture process is carried out. mother. The complete process lasts approximately 3 weeks to obtain the cellular product. A vial is obtained with the cultured mesenchymal stem cells and the rest can be frozen for future treatments.

The process is controlled by Specialized Biologists ensuring cell thawing according to the international protocol of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and is carried out in an automated manner and in complete asepsis, guaranteeing the counting of the number of cells that will later be inoculated into the patient under aseptic conditions, radiological or ultrasound control and continued anesthesiological control.

Electronic counting ensures full determination of the number of injected cells and a personalized barcoded certificate is issued after the therapeutic procedure.

No adverse reactions to the cellular product have been recorded given the safety of the therapies since they are applied to tissues or joints that do not involve life-threatening risks or notable complications.

The use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells is indicated mainly in the treatment of degenerative processes.

New Stem Cell Methods and Treatment Results

Numerous pathological conditions and diseases cause metabolic disorders, deterioration of the immune system and increased generation of free radicals.

Standard medical practice uses a large number of pharmacological agents that reduce the body’s natural capacity for its own defense and regeneration, which leads to alterations in metabolic and immunological processes, hemodynamics, and the cell’s ability to regenerate.

Stem Cells, as undifferentiated cells, potentially recover the normal processes of organic homeostasis.

The greatest benefit of cellular therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells is its ability to regenerate damaged tissues and improve the quality of life of patients. They are safe procedures that present few complications.

Therapies with Mesenchymal Stem Cells have the objective of achieving a regenerative effect on the degenerative processes of articular cartilage, the intervertebral disc and peripheral nerves among other pathologies.

Future of Cell Therapy in Regenerative Medicine

The potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for tissue regeneration is enormous and cell therapy is expected to be one of the main tools in Regenerative Medicine in the future. As new techniques are developed and more clinical studies are conducted, cellular therapy with mesenchymal stem cells is likely to become a standard treatment for many chronic diseases and injuries. The regulation of this type of treatment is essential to avoid possible risks and associated complications.

Clínica Vertebra develops Research Programs in the fields of Regenerative Medicine and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery carrying out controlled clinical trials and the development of new technologies in both areas, through patented systems at the US American Patent Agency.

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