In one answer, no, stem cell therapy is not a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine technique that is designed only to help manage symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells have the ability to regulate the immune system and support the nervous system. To answer the question if it can cure, the answer is no, it cannot. But what is the science behind the potential they have for someone with Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition that’s characterized by an inflammatory reaction against myelin sheaths found in the central nervous system (CNS). When the active inflammation tempers down, the thickening of the surrounding tissues takes place, hence the term “sclerosis”, which means thickening in Latin.
MS is extremely diverse in terms of clinical types, signs and symptoms, progressiveness, and prognosis. Therefore, physicians often treat this illness on a case-to-case basis. Unfortunately, and similar to other autoimmune diseases, there is no definitive cure for MS, and doctors only try to mitigate the damage by anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids.
Due to the chronicity and poor prognosis of MS, researchers are always on the look for innovative treatment approaches to help manage the symptoms of this condition. Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells to provide improved symptoms such as increased energy, strength, mobility, flexibility, and function control and they are able to do this repair in four ways.
First, the paracrine effects of MSCs release substances that can attract other cells to the site of injury. They also have trophic effects that increase blood vessel development and help cells grow and survive. Next, mesenchymal stem cells have anti-inflammatory properties, exerting beneficial effects in multiple sclerosis. And finally, since they are pluripotent, mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to become other cells such as bone cells, fat cells, brain cells, skin cells, blood vessel cells, and many others.
The treatment is safe, noninvasive, and well-tolerated in most patients with little recovery time needed. With its lasting beneficial healing properties, stem cell therapy appears to be an alternative option, especially for patients whose symptoms interfere with daily life.
This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for multiple sclerosis, also known as stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.