A hallmark clinical study by physicians at Duke University and the University of Texas, published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine in 2018, showed IV infusion of human umbilical cord stem cells to be safe for the treatment of Cerebral Artery Ischemic Stroke.1
More than 85% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. Ischemic stroke is one of three types of stroke and occurs when the artery that supplies blood to the brain is blocked, reducing blood flow and oxygen to the brain. If blood circulation is not restored quickly, permanent brain damage occurs. Ischemic stroke can cause death or long-term disability and the only approved treatment is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). TPA breaks up clots but to be effective it must be given within four hours from the start of the stroke and cannot be given after five hours. Additionally, it cannot be given to individuals with a history of hemorrhagic stroke, bleeding in the brain, recent surgery, head injury, or anyone taking an anticoagulant, leaving few patients eligible for treatment.
Study Design
Researchers at Duke University and Texas Medical Center conducted a phase I open label trial to assess the safety of a single IV infusion of non-HLA matched human umbilical cord blood in 10 patients with acute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke. Patients were given a single infusion 3-9 days after presenting with a stroke and then monitored for 12 months.
Results
The treatment was well tolerated and found to be safe with no serious adverse events (AEs) were reported. Researchers also used neurological and functional evaluations using the modified Rankin Score and the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale. At 3 months all participants had improved scores on both evaluations relative to baseline supporting the rationale for conducting larger phase 2 study to evaluate the efficacy of umbilical cord blood for the treatment of stroke and neurological disease.
About Stroke
Cardiovascular disease includes conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A stroke is classified as both a neurological and a cardiovascular condition because the narrowed or blocked blood vessels lead to a disruption in the blood supply to the brain causing neurological damage.
Stem cell therapy along with lifestyle changes may improve the neurological changes after an ischemic stroke.
Lifestyle changes that can help improve cardiovascular disease include:
- Quit smoking
- Following a healthy diet low in salt and saturated fat
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Daily exercise
- Control high blood pressure
- Control diabetes
- Control high cholesterol
- Practice good hygiene
About Stem Cell Therapy at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute
Stem cell transplantation uses healthy cells to promote the repair of damaged cells and regeneration of healthy and functional cells to repair injured tissue.2 The therapeutic effect of stem cell transplantation in patients with cardiovascular disease including stroke, may be due to the paracrine effect. The theory is transplanted stem cells repair damaged tissue by releasing factors that promote regeneration of healthy stem cells, reduce inflammation, promote the growth of new blood vessels, inhibit cell death, and reduce hypertrophy.2 Studies have shown mesenchymal stem cells improve cardiac function in patients who have suffered from a stroke.
What is the treatment protocol for ischemic stroke at the Stem Cells Transplant Institute?
The Stem Cells Transplant Institute recommends the use of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from human umbilical cord tissue (hUC-MSCs) for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
For optimal results, we recommend Aggressive Platinum Therapy (APT). APT is a 4-day treatment plan.
Each day you will receive the following:
- 120 million mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) cultured and expanded from human umbilical cord tissue for a 4-day total of 480 million MSCs.
- Antioxidant therapy with vitamin C and glutathione
- Ozone therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)
What are the advantages of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells?
- Abundant supply containing up to 10 times more stem cells than bone marrow or adipose derived stem cells
- hUC-MSC have immunosuppressors and immunomodulatory properties that allow their use in any individual without rejection- Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) matching is not necessary
- Greater proliferation ability than adult autologous stem cells
- They regenerate at a very rapid rate
- They are young and very adaptive
- They have not been impacted by the aging process
- They have not been affected by environmental toxins
- Umbilical cord stem cells can be administered multiple times over the course of days
- Eliminates the need to collect stem cells from the patient’s fat or hip bone reducing pain and recovery time
About the Stem Cells Transplant Institute
Costa Rica has one of the best healthcare systems in world and is ranked among the highest for medical tourism.
Using the most advanced technologies, the team of experts at The Stem Cells Transplant Institute believes in the potential of stem cell therapy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease.
We are committed to providing personalized service and the highest quality of care to every patient.
Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of stem cell therapy.
Scientific References
- Laskowitz, DT, Bennett, ER, Durham, RJ, Volpi, JJ, Wiese, JR, Frankel, M, Shpall, E, Wilson, JM, Troy, J, Kurtzberg, J. Allogeneic umbilical cord blood infusion for adults with ischemic stroke: clinical outcomes from a phase I safety study. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2018;7(7):521–529.
Google Scholar| Medline - Hare JM, Fishman JE, Gerstenblith G, DiFede Velazquez DL, Zambrano JP, Suncion VY, Tracy M, Ghersin E, Johnston PV, Brinker JA, et al: Comparison of allogeneic vs autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells delivered by transendocardial injection in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: the POSEIDON randomized trial. JAMA 308: 2369-2379,
