Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease (CD) is a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, and inflammation. Crohn's Disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract in different individuals. In more severe or advanced cases, inflammation can spread to the deeper layers of the bowel and surrounding organs.

CD can be both debilitating and painful, with the potential to cause serious, life-threatening complications. While there is no cure for Crohn's Disease, various therapies and medications are available to help manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. Although it is a chronic condition, treatment can often lead to periods of remission where symptoms improve or disappear.

The exact cause of Crohn's Disease (CD) is not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute to its development:

1. Immune System Response: Certain bacteria and viruses may trigger an abnormal immune response in the digestive tract, leading to inflammation and the onset of Crohn's Disease.

2. Genetics: Individuals with a family history of Crohn's Disease are at a higher risk. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role in increasing susceptibility to the condition.

3. Age and Gender: Crohn's Disease is more commonly diagnosed in younger individuals, particularly before the age of 30. Additionally, studies have shown that individuals of African descent in the United Kingdom and North America have a higher risk of developing the disease.

The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease include:

Cramping and abdominal pain

Fatigue, fever, and diarrhea

Bloody stools and mouth sores

Weight loss and loss of appetite

Pain or drainage around the anus due to inflammation in fistulas (abnormal connections between tissues)

Crohn's disease can affect different parts of the large and small intestines, with many patients experiencing involvement of the large intestine and colon. Symptoms can vary in severity, ranging from mild to severe. While these symptoms usually develop gradually, in some cases they can appear suddenly.

The treatment of Crohn's Disease (CD) typically involves a combination of medications, nutritional support, and sometimes surgery. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent complications. Treatment options include:

Medications:

Anti-inflammatory drugs: To reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.

Corticosteroids: For short-term control of flare-ups.

Oral 5-aminosalicylates: Often used to manage mild to moderate inflammation.

Immune system suppressants: To reduce the immune system's attack on the gastrointestinal tract, including:

o Azathioprine

o Mercaptopurine

o Methotrexate

Biologic therapies: To target specific components of the immune response, including:

o Vedolizumab

o Natalizumab

o Infliximab

o Ustekinumab

o Adalimumab

o Certolizumab

Other medications: To address complications and symptoms, such as:

o Antibiotics

o Vitamins and supplements

o Pain relievers

o Antidiarrheal drugs

Recent studies indicate that Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) using bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) can significantly reduce the activity of Crohn's Disease (CD), thereby improving the quality of life and prognosis for chronic patients. Crohn's Disease frequently leads to the development of fistulas —abnormal connections between body parts that cause pain and irritation.

Clinical data shows that approximately 75% of patients with fistulas experienced complete closure following MSC therapy. Furthermore, this therapy has demonstrated long-lasting effects, with benefits persisting for over four years after a single treatment session.

Research suggests that Stem Cell Therapy represents a promising and innovative treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's Disease. MSCs have proven to be a reliable source for tissue regeneration and repair in patients suffering from chronic digestive tract damage and inflammation. In addition to addressing the disease-related symptoms, Stem Cell Therapy has been shown to reduce the frequency of flare-ups and recurrences. MSCs also exhibit potent immunomodulatory effects, helping to regulate abnormal immune responses, making the therapy not only effective but also safe, with minimal side effects.

In addition to MSCs, Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) have also shown promise in alleviating symptoms of Crohn's Disease and restoring immune tolerance in patients.

In Crohn's Disease, Stem Cell Therapy can help by:

Reducing intestinal inflammation

Promoting long-term healing of the intestinal mucosa

Significantly improving patient quality of life

Addressing Crohn's disease-related perianal fistulas and other complications related to IBD

Clinical literature suggests that exosome therapy combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) plays a significant role in treating autoimmune diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines, the cellular microenvironment, and immune responses. This approach has a strong influence on both adaptive and innate immune cells, with key players including macrophages, T regulatory cells (Tregs), Th17 cells, immunoregulatory miRNAs, and CD4+ Th1 cells.

In autoimmune conditions, exosome-MSC therapy helps modulate T-cell subsets. Specifically, it reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with Th17 and Th1 cells, such as IL-17AF, IL-12p70, and IL-6, while increasing the concentration of anti-inflammatory Tregs. By enhancing Treg cell production, exosome-MSC therapy aids in maintaining immunoregulation without altering the overall lymphocyte count.

This therapeutic effect has been observed in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In GVHD, exosome-MSCs improve patient outcomes by suppressing the differentiation of naïve T-cell populations.

Macrophages, which are critical components of innate immunity, are also influenced by exosome-MSC therapy. Depending on the microenvironment, naïve macrophages (Mo) can be polarized into pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes, allowing them to perform distinct roles in various disease states. Exosome-MSC therapy can promote the conversion of M1 macrophages to M2, thereby reducing pro-inflammatory responses.

In addition to treating autoimmune diseases, this combination therapy shows promise in regulating metabolic homeostasis, potentially attenuating obesity and reducing adipose inflammation by promoting the anti-inflammatory actions of M2 macrophages.

The Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) at The Renue Centre is a holistic approach to treating Crohn's Disease.

Your Renue Journey does not end after your last day of SCT. We follow up with you to assert your progress, following four phases:

Pre-treatment: Physical exam, clinical evaluation, lab test results, and other diagnostic procedures.

You will take our Renue Epigenetic Test powered by TruDiagnostics that will assert your biological age and other important health markers. Your TruDiagnostics test is part of The Renue Difference. It provides your doctor with critical information about your health and your true age (biological vs. chronological).

After the epigenetic test and we have received all your medical records, your Patient Advisor will assist you in planning your travel to Puerto Vallarta.

Treatment day: On treatment day, with the help of apheresis and processing of Stem Cells, the donor cells are injected inside the body. Stem Cells transplantation can range from 1 x 106 – 8 x 106 cells. In the case of Crohn's Disease, the recommended concentration of SC to be injected inside the body is 3 x 107 cells/ml. The route of administration of Stem Cells for Crohn's can be intra-arterial, intranasal, and intravenous. The dosage also depends upon the severity and type of the disease, which is customizable. The injection of stem cells can be given at intervals of three months after the first dose.

30, 60 & 90 days follow-up: To check for flare-up frequency, improvements, pain, and irritation

Six months after treatment: Lab tests, flare-up frequency, clinical evaluation, quality of life, and disease prognosis

SCT to live a better life: Benefits and outcomes

The effectiveness of Stem Cell Treatment can improve all your symptoms, causing a considerable impact on your quality of life and daily activities.

As part of The Renue Difference, you will receive three Hyperbaric Chamber sessions that greatly improve SCT efficacy and stimulate the body cells to combat Crohn's Disease (CD). These sessions comprise three days: one day before treatment, after treatment, and on the day of treatment.

According to results, clinical outcomes, and pre- and post-treatment observations, SCT has been shown to help:

Reduce CD progression

Speed up tissue repair

Regrow and repair tissues after six months

After the SCT procedure, an MRI test depicts the further need for the treatment at a specific body site.

Talk to our Patient Advisor to learnmore about SCT at The Renue Centre.

Expected results and prognosis:

Expected result 1: Immediate control of associated symptoms of the fever and lethargy post-treatment, but require monitoring of risk factors for stroke.

Expected result 2: More independence in ADLs and IADLS, pain reduction, and reduction in inflammation after six months of injection.

Expected result 3: Increased independence, drainage management, weight management, improved balance, and more life satisfaction.

Stem Cell Therapy is the most dependable procedure for Crohn's Disease now. Generally, Stem Cell Therapy has a satisfactory safety profile, good prognosis, and effectiveness.

However, no medical procedure is 100% safe; so, the most frequent or common risk factors of SCT can be:

Allergic reactions

Bleeding from the site of injection

Fever

Painful injection area /site

Lethargy and fatigue

Pre-treatment education can help with awareness of slight side effects of the therapy. Allergic reactions are preventable through pre-injection history and care. Bleeding and swelling of the injured site are manageable via proper technique. Fever, lethargy, and pain are managed through the appropriate drugs along with the treatment.