Using stem cell treatments, some multiple sclerosis patients see reversal, easing of disease symptoms

For the 400,000 Americans with multiple sclerosis, or MS, using their own harvested adult stem cells to reset their immune systems may help reverse some of the symptoms that often come with the disease.

During one stem cell treatment under study, doctors collect stem cells from an MS patient, process and freeze them. The patient then undergoes chemo therapy to eliminate their immune system. The concentrated adult mesenchymal (pronounced messENkimmul) cells are re-infused into the treated patients’ blood stream to reestablish the immune system, and sort of turn back the clock.

“It basically resets the immune system to a time when the patient did not have any symptoms of MS,” says Rand McClain, DO, Medical and Scientific Advisory Board member at Eatontown, N.J.-based American CryoStem (OTC: CRYO). “Multiple studies are showing great success in this area, and providing hope to so many who live with MS and their families.”

Multiple scrlerosis is a neurodegenerative disease in which the patient’s immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body evidenced by the formation of lesions on the spinal cord and brain tissue.

McClain says American CryoStem is standardizing and innovating in the area of using stem cells derived from fat tissue, or adipose, derived stem cells—exactly for this purpose. The Company offers individuals a state-of-art platform to have their fat cells collected and shipped to a FDA registered laboratory for processing and cryopreserved for their own disease management or regenerative medicine.

Multiple sclerosis takes a tremendous toll on patients, physically damaging the patient’s spinal cord and brain tissue and manifesting itself in fatigue and loss of muscle and motor skill. There is no cure and traditional treatments often fall short of slowing the progression of the disease.

Utilizing adipose (fat) derived adult stem cells is a promising treatment for patients who want to slow the progression of the disease and its symptoms, according to American Cryostem.

The Company points to studies, including one that found that mesenchymal stem cells from fat release “growth factors” that can ease the discomfort caused by multiple sclerosis and give the patient a better quality of life.

Currently, there are multiple studies ongoing globally that involve adult mesenchymal stem cells, which exist in bone marrow and fat.

“These cells are being tested for their ability to treat immune disorders and promote tissue repair,” according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “Further study is necessary to determine what kind of cells, frequency and dosage amount might prove optimal for treating some or all people with MS.”

With cryogenic fat storage, which contains the mesenchymal stem cells, patients have their fat tissue removed by a mini-liposuction from areas of their body where they would like to slim anyway: such as the abdomen, thighs, back of arms, and buttocks. Then they are sent to an FDA registered cryogenic storage facility for processing.

“American CryoStem is leading the way in this area of harvesting, transporting and storing fat cells, particularly with people who have a family history of heart disease, MS, stroke, cancer, diabetes, etc.” says John S. Arnone, Chairman of American CryoStem. “We’re finding more and more health conscious people having their fat cells stored for current or future use, in the event they suffer a degenerative or orthopedic condition. We are also seeing health conscious individuals storing their younger cells for future use.”

Arnone says people who have a family history of illness, or an orthopedic injury are typically more proactive storing their stem cells.  The fat tissue is also stored in its pure form for cosmetic use as a natural facial filler around the mouth, checks and eyes to restore a younger appearance and in areas of the body in place of synthetic implants.

“If you were to ask any multiple sclerosis patient that have had adipose derived stem cell treatments if stem cells are the future of regenerative medicine. Their answer would be a resounding ‘yes!’”