Regenexx makes Headlines Again

Regenexx was featured in the Broomfield Enterprise .  Click here for full article.

Safety of Implanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Fantastic publication today.

A four year study which examined 227 patient demonstrated no evidence of tumor growth in patients who had mesenchymal stem cells injected for orthopedic applications. Prior to injection, the mesenchymal stem cells has been expanded for a limited time. This differentiates them from those cells used in BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrates).  The findings are consistent with other reports which found  no evidence of tumor growth.  What is unique about the current study is the time frame ( 4 years) and number of patients.  Congrats to Dr. Centeno and other team members 🙂

Let It Grow: The Role of VEGF

 

 

Everyone knows that a seed will not grow without sufficient nutrients and water.

So to with stem cells when implanted in an area that is low or deficient in nutrients.  Blood flow is the key to cellular growth.  No blood flow, no growth.

Lumbar discs have poor blood supply.  One of the growth factors derived from platelets has been utilized to enhance blood flow to lumbar disc and the stem cells which have been implanted in them.  The growth factor is VEGF :Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor.  It has the capacity to create new blood vessels (angiogensis) thereby enhancing nutrient flow.

A case series of patients who underwent implantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells into the symptomic disc had injections of concentrated VEGF.  66% of patients had a significant reduction in pain.  The before and after stem cell therapy MRI’s clearly demonstrate a reduction in the size of the disc protrusions.

Regenexx.Regeness.MSC.

Results of Stem Cell Therapy Presented at National Meeting

A case series outlining the results of patients who underwent stem cell therapy for symptomic lumbar disc protrusions was recently represented at the National American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. The abstract is #8. Patients utilized their own stem cells which were expanded and then re-injected into the painful disc. A majority of the patients had a significant reduction in their symptoms as well as changes on MRI.

The Regenexx procedure affords patients an alternative to the risks of surgery and anesthesia. In contrast to conventional surgery, there is no significant down time or need for extensive rehabilitation.

Minimal Culture Expansion: A Historial Perspective

The evolution of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) illustrates the development of a minimal culture expansion process.  In the late 1970’s, the first IVF was performed.  In the 1990’s, in an effort to improve conception outcomes, fertility specialists elected to extend the cell culture time.  Specifically they extended cell culture to the blastocyst stage which is a more mature developmental phase. In doing so, the fertility specialists transitioned In-Vitro Feritlization from a simple tissue transplant to a cell culture technique.  These specialist maintain that their cell culture techniques are the practice of medicine and not the production of biologic drugs.  No parents who have undergone IVF,  think of their daughters or sons as biologic drugs, do they?

Adult, autologous stem cell therapy was found itself on a similar path.  In an effort to optimize clinical outcomes, some practices expand a patients’ own stem cells thereby increasing the total number of cells available.  Expansion takes 12-14 days and is conducted in a state of the art cell culture lab.  No growth hormone or exogenous products are used to increase the cell count.    If you are a patient who is concerned that this therapy may no longer be available please visit:  www.safestemcells.org