Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers Sigh With Relief - Part Two
Recently MS patient Jan Wilks began walking days after treatment
with umbilical cord stem cells after years in a wheelchair.
Coverage of her case in the press sparked a huge demand for more
information on this new cutting edge treatment. Jan Wilks is
only one of stem cell therapy's success stories.
Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cell treatment involves topical injections and requires
only a few hours stay at one of the 12 international clinics. In
a typical MS case, there are multiple injections of the contents
of a single vial of stem cells. These are injected into the
skin/fat layer over the spine and one or two seriously affected
areas of the body (e.g. into the vein of an unusable hand, or
into the skin near an eye with visual problems.) They are not
injected into the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
itself. However, the exact way the stem cells are administered
is specific to each MS patient. The focus is on areas of
greatest need. Cells are injected into specific sites of
demyelination as indicated by a MRI report and into areas of
greatest clinical need. This method of Patient Specific
Injection Protocol appears to deliver the fastest and strongest
responses recorded.
If there is damage to the brain - stem cells are injected into
the skin using the surface anatomical markers of various regions
of the brain. For example if there is damage to the cerebellum,
the injection of stem cells would be subcutaneously over the
occipit (back of the head). There are no risks involved in this.
The stem cells are able to reach damaged areas in the brain by
traveling through the bloodstream. This is very straightforward
as cord blood stem cells are derived from blood. One of their
primary functions is to migrate to sites of need in the body
through a process called homing. With homing to the brain, the
blood brain barrier opens up to accept stem cells as it does for
any other blood cell. In addition, a drip can be given
intravenously an hour before the stem cells treatment to cause a
slight dehydration of the brain making the barrier more
receptive. In MS, the damage in the brain and spinal cord does
not follow a predictable pattern. Also, the findings of plaques
shown on an MRI scan do not necessarily correlate with the
degree of clinical severity. This makes the process of injecting
directly into the brain matter or spinal fluid problematic as
well as incredibly risky. For these reasons the stem cells are
injected into the skin over the spine and brain and not into it.
Data shows benefits derived from stem cell therapy in both
Progressive and Relapsing/Remitting types of MS. However, the
type and speed of benefits, extent of regeneration and
biological methods by which regeneration occurs may differ from
PP to RR; however results are consistent in both types. All the
above variables differ vastly from case to case within the
categories of PP to RR, making it difficult to compare
categories. Study groups are planned to generate a more specific
answer to this question. The most important factor between cases
noted to date is not the type of MS, but prescription
medications (ABC drugs, antibiotics, chemotherapy) which - due
to inherent toxicity factors - inhibit stem cell activity and
significantly reduce the probability of benefit.
Once the stem cells have been injected they travel to the areas
of damage/demyelination/inflammation via a process called
'homing'. The stem cells follow the bodies naturally-produced
chemical signals released when the body is under stress, damage
or repair. These messages attract stem cells to the areas in
need. Once the stem cells reach their target there are five main
mechanisms, or combinations of mechanisms, by which the stem
cells contribute to neurological repair. These are:
1) Transdifferentiation: Once mature, the previously
primitive cells assume the function of a more specialized cell
type. 2)Transdetermination: Redirection of a cell to
produce other types of cells. e.g., a bone marrow stem cell may
in fact start to produce cartilage or neurons.
3) De-differentiation: Mature cells are triggered to move
back up the hierarchical ladder model to become able to produce
any kind of cell. 4) Fusion: The stem cell fuses with
existing cells to create a 'super-cell' that has access to
suppressed DNA and is able to perform neurological repair.
5) Trophic Support: Stem cells produce growth factors
that encourage the repair using existing cells.
Treatment Logistics
The time needed in clinic for pre-treatment examination,
injection and monitoring is around 3 hours. The injections
themselves take under five minutes. Some clients report a warm
rushing sensation following the injection and mild sleepiness
for several days. Others report a boost of energy and euphoria.
Some people experience nothing notable at the time of treatment
but report clinical benefits later.
The therapy is designed to function as a single treatment and
each case is assessed for future treatment needs on an
individual basis. In each case, goals must be set regarding
desired treatment benefits. If these goals are not met by the
first treatment, there may be a need for booster treatments.
Follow ups are done at regular intervals by the consulting
physician and Follow-Up Coordinators. The cost of treatment is
currently 19,500 euros while re-treatments for clients treated
in 2005 are offered at a discounted rate of 10,000 euros.
The Treatment Outcome
In best case scenarios, progressive cases have returned to
normal function and retain these benefits past the one year mark
and don't require boosters. ACT has developed a Rating Scale
based on the patients' own subjective reports of the benefits
the patients consider important to them and their daily
activities. Rating 1: A significant or life changing
benefit for that individual (e.g. bladder control; sexual
function; hand function.)
Rating 2: Multiple benefits that meet the patient's
personal goals.
Rating 3 (highest rating): An overall response beyond the
expectations of both the patient and conventional doctors.
Jan Wilks experienced results very quickly which happens
occasionally. On average, treatment benefits usually peak
between three and six months after treatment then plateau at one
year.
Booking Your Treatment
You'll work exclusively with treatment representatives, in-house
physicians, booking coordinators and follow-up specialists who
arrange and follow treatments at 12 international locations in
monthly treatment groups. Booking Procedure: Enquire via online
enquiry form, specific email or phone. A link to an online
information package will be emailed or faxed.
Please quote the MSRC as the referring source.
You will be contacted by an ACT representative by phone to
schedule a telephonic consultation with a consulting physician.
Consulting physician will cover all questions and medical
issues. If treatment is booked at that time, a time will be
scheduled for you to speak to the Bookings Coordinator regarding
choice of location and date of the next available treatment
group. The Bookings Coordinator will cover all logistical issues
and send a provisional booking form. Payment is made by
international wire transfer and a final confirmation form is
sent.