Stem cells demonstrate significant clinical efficacy in groundbreaking treatment of severe disease

A pilot study developed in Spain used adult stem cells to repair the faces of patients suffering from severe craniofacial disease.

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Stem cells shown in special scaffold made from patient's blood

PR NewsChannel) / November 18, 2010 / LUGO, Spain / A group of Spanish surgeons has pioneered a treatment for patients suffering from craniofacial diseases with a cellular product developed by one of the top stem cell companies in America, the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reported this month. 

The official journal of the North American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons exposed this new therapeutic approach, which uses stem cells derived from bone marrow to regenerate advanced facial bone and tissue loss. The Head and Neck Surgery Unit at POLUSA Hospital, which developed the therapy, applied this groundbreaking alternative treatment  to three patients with the help of adult cultured stem cells.

Dr. Jose Mendonça Caridad, previously a Clinical and Research Fellow in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry, and Dr. Pedro Juiz of the Head and Neck Surgery Unit of POLUSA Hospital in Lugo, Spain, treated their first patient for severe radionecrosis of the face, which was caused by radiation therapy. The patient suffered from nerve impairment, a pathological fracture, and complete necrosis of bone, muscle and skin. Prolonged hospitalization and life-threatening events followed. At 12 months' post-stem cell treatment, the patient displayed new vessel formation, bone regeneration, fracture consolidation and total nerve function recovery. Muscles later resumed function, and a radiation-devastated salivary gland soon reactivated.

Drs. Caridad and Juiz treated two additional patients, who both exhibited advanced disease involving important bone loss and other nerve defects as a result of trauma and pathological resorption. Bone formed rapidly and nerve function fully recovered in these cases. All patients underwent minor surgery to receive dental implants in their newly-regenerated jawbones. Eight weeks later, doctors attached the dental prosthesis (teeth) to the implants, which completed the treatment objectives and restored oral function.

"The outcome of these treatments with the stem cells has surpassed our wildest expectations. The surgeons observed early bone formation in the afflicted areas that eventually resulted in complete healing," said Paco Vidal, former CEO of the European section of the North American company involved in the development of stem cell lines used in the study. Vidal oversaw the design process of the stem cell production.

"Unexpected therapeutic results from treatment include peripheral nerve regeneration or repair, new skin formation and proliferation in blood vessels in ischemic areas with no sequels or complications after two years," added Vidal.

This research is one of the first of its kind to be published in a peer-reviewed international journal. The alternative stem-cell treatment resulted from many years of research and practice in regenerative medicine. It uses a sophisticated system for the development of stem cell populations and innovative clinical procedures, which tend to encourage the stem cells to differentiate toward damaged tissue. All materials and methods had CE/FDA certifications and procedures were approved by the Spanish Ministry of Health following European regulations. There was no conflict of interest or financial support involved in this study.

Adult stem cells are found in all tissues of the human body, and can be collected and cultured to regenerate a donor's damaged tissue. Adult stem cell therapy does not use human embryos.

CONTACT:
Jose Mendonça Caridad, MD DMD PhD
Director, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, POLUSA Hospital, Lugo, Spain
Phone: 34-629819931
Email:
Website: www.cirujanosdelmundo.com

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SOURCE: cirujanosdelmundo.com

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