Stem Cell Has Potential. We Should Harness It

Stem cell therapy is without a doubt one of the most innovative and highly efficient forms of medical therapy in the world as of today. Hundreds of thousands of people have been able to see its revolutionary properties, and the results which it shows are nothing short of remarkable. 

However, just as it is with every form of technology, stem cell therapy isn’t a foolproof medical procedure, and there are exceptions to the rule. The few exceptions have raised multiple questions as regards how it works, particularly because many are concerned about the outcomes that the therapy does bring. 

For better clarity, we sat down with Eremin Ilya Igorevich, Vice Director for Science and Research at Swiss Medica, as we got a better understanding of the procedure and how it works, as well as the efforts of the clinic in harnessing its benefits for the good of mankind.

1.  What aspect of stem cell therapy has seen the highest prospect of impacting mankind?

Nowadays, cell therapy in many countries refers to breakthrough technologies in the context of both the development of health in general and the formation of new markets. This is one of the most dynamically developing areas of modern medicine, with the ability to give mankind new and highly effective tools in the fight against various serious diseases. 

The most promising aspects of cell therapy include the creation of new means of targeted drug delivery, genome editing technology, the creation of new biocompatible materials and artificial organs.

2. What are the specific roles of stem cells in boosting life expectancy?

With age, the ability of the human body to regenerate, which is already small, is significantly reduced. This happens under the influence of various factors, including but not limited to  living conditions, nutrition, stress, disease, bad habits, exposure to different types of radiation, etc. 

On the other hand, we are all genetically different in the regenerative potential of our tissues. One of the most important tasks of cell therapy is to find mechanisms to maintain the balance (homeostasis) of regenerative cells and replenish their reserve when it decreases.

3. How would you address the widespread concerns about stem cell therapy?

As a rule, concerns are associated with a false representation of a potential user about the safety of cell therapy, which are formed by the media through various rating speculations around the health of famous personalities – politicians or actors. From a scientific point of view, modern medicine has accumulated enough experience to recognize the safety of cell therapy. 

There are, of course, some exceptions. For example, the presence of a tumor process in the human body is an absolute contraindication for stem cell therapy, as cells do not have selectivity and can accumulate in actively metabolizing tissues, which will improve the blood supply to the tumor and accelerate its growth.

However, today, there are specific types of cell therapy aimed at combating tumor cells – these are dendritic cell vaccines, and CAR-T cells.

Another important aspect of cell therapy safety is the standardization of production processes and control of biological safety. In this part, professional standards and recommendations have been developed, based on good Practices (GxP), the observance of which guarantees the quality and safety of cell products.

4. What are the challenges you’ve faced in your clinic since inception?

We initially built our activities in accordance with the experience of advanced biotechnology companies and set the priority task of safety of our therapy. This helped us with developing a top-notch team of experts and  the production of cells, and in terms of clinical application. We cooperate with leading academic organizations, conduct joint research, including experimental models.

The main problems include the choice of the most effective cell product for the treatment of diseases and the constant need to oppose the false fears of doctors from conventional medical practice and potential patients.

Since there is still a lot of unfounded distrust towards regenerative medicine. For our part, as practicing scientists, we see our mission as being able to give methods of cell therapy that will help people to alleviate conditions in severe diseases.

5. Does stem cell therapy work for everyone?

It depends on the specific testimony. But in General, rather Yes. Even in a state of relative health stem cell therapy can help a person to expand the adaptive reserves of the body. Of course, before the appointment of the treatment program, it is necessary to conduct a full examination and consult our specialists who will tell about the specific results that can be achieved.

At the same time, it is necessary to understand that regenerative medicine does not give recovery in absolutely any disease. Basically, it works for the treatment of pathological processes affecting tissues. These are diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes, diabetic foot, cardiomyopathy, COPD, autism, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, hypertension, ischemia, as well as the consequences of stroke, borreliosis (Lyme disease), Central nervous system injuries, musculoskeletal system injuries, and sports injuries.

In general, stem cells within the framework of therapy help to restore or improve the functioning of various tissues of the body, relieve inflammation, reduce pain, increase mobility, prolong activity and youth, as well as to rejuvenate skin (in anti-aging treatment programs). Many patients after therapy note that they seem to have returned to 5-10-15 years ago. And this is not a miracle, but it sure is a scientifically proven fact.

6. Are there any possible dangers of stem cell therapy to health?

The only categorical contraindication is a tumor, as the use of stem cells in patients with cancer can cause the progression of tumor growth. In other cases, cell therapy is absolutely safe in compliance with the technological process and biological safety control.

We have a whole article on the site devoted to the safety of the use of stem cells for therapy. By the way, the article contains many references to scientific research, which is also useful for those who are interested in the safety of cell therapy.

7. How long do the benefits of stem cell therapy last?

It depends on the specific disease. The effect can last from six months to tens of years. The effect of cell therapy ideally depends on the problem being treated, the degree of its severity, the patient’s condition, comorbidities, working and living conditions, as well as compliance with the treatment programs developed.

For example, in the case of local injection, the pain syndrome is reduced within several days and the achieved results can last for years. A more accurate prediction of the result and duration of therapy can be made on the basis of medical data of the patient, his initial data (age, presence of diseases, lifestyle, etc.).

8. Is there a potential for stem cell’s anti-aging benefits to still be optimized?

Of course, science does not stand still and cell therapy technologies are constantly being studied and improved. New schemes for the combined use of cells and drugs are being developed, in addition, new technologies for the cultivation and modification of the properties of the cells themselves are emerging. In the future, regenerative medicine is likely to be used more widely and be available to more users. And this is definitely a method of future medicine.

9. How has society embraced stem cell therapy in your own opinion?

In our opinion, now the attitude of society to cell therapy is changing in a positive way. Many misconceptions associated with the use of stem cells for the treatment of many serious diseases go into the past. Having spent quite a bit of time, now you can find complete information about a particular disease, its treatment methods, clinics that provide such therapy, read reviews and remotely get advice.

This is a great merit of the popularizers of science and increasing the availability of information on the Internet. And also, of course, a lot of cases from patients, which stem cell treatment really helped, even (and especially) in those cases, when conventional medicine could do nothing.

10. How will Swiss Medica’s anti-aging stem cell treatment help improve patients’ skin?

Our stem cell therapy treatment regimens have an impact on the causes of aging. Stem cells restore the nutrition of all cell elements of the skin, start the process of recovery and renewal, and most importantly, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin – the key components of the extracellular matrix, providing a healthy skin, turgor, elasticity.

By the way, the only collagen that is produced by its own skin cells is able to integrate into the collagen frame of the skin, none of the collagen injected from the outside is never able to integrate into the recipient zone.

The use of collagen preparations, especially injectable ones, to restore the skin is a marketing move. The natural restoration of the extracellular molecular framework of the skin from collagen and elastin, ensuring adequate blood supply and gas exchange of skin cells, suppression of inflammatory and immune reactions, the launch of regeneration and renewal – these are the main results of cell therapy to restore the youth of the skin.

Eremin Ilya Igorevich,

Vice Director for Science and Research,

MD, PhD;

Senior Research Associate at the Laboratory for Cellular Biology and Developmental Pathology at the Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology;

Associate Professor of the Department of Regenerative Medicine and Biomedical Technology at A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry;

Members of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cosmetology and Cellular Technologies (Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University);

Member of International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS);

Member of International Society of Plastic & Regenerative Surgeons (ISPRES);

Member of Cell Society;

Member of International Placenta Stem Cells Society (IPLASS);

Author and co-author of more than 120 scientific articles, and co-author of 6 patents of invention.