What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapies are medical treatment procedure utilizing the healing power of endogenous stem cells. The main function of stem cells is the maintenance and repair of tissues. In stem cell therapies, these regenerative potency is used to preserve or restore the functionality of the body.
What is the advantage of stem cells?
Stem cells are responsible for the replacement (regeneration) of damaged or dead cells in the human body. They have the ability to transform into every specific cell that exist in the body and inhibit inflammation. These features render stem cells an ideal target for regenerative medicine.
What is the difference between adipose-derived stem cells and other stem cells?
Adult stem cell have reduced potential to differentiate, when compared to embryonal stem cells. However, their use is free of ethically inoffensive. Adipose-derived stem cells have similar biological properties like other adult stem cells from other sources. The differences mainly relate to the accessibility of stem cells as well as the stem cell content of the respective source and adipose tissue is one of the best reservoirs for stem cells.
What can adipose-derived stem cells be utilized for therapeutically?
Endogenous adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) can be used to treat disease and medical conditions of the locomotory such as arthrosis, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries as well as other joint complaints. Due to their excellent immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, ASC can be used in an allogenic setting, e.g. to treat liver diseases (acute liver failure, cirrhosis) as well as autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus or type 1 diabetes.
What are autoimmune disease?
Autoimmune disease are a medical condition where the immune system recognizes a part of its own body as foreign and attacks it just like a pathogenic germ. The cause for this reaction is generally unknown. Treatment of the symptoms usually involves suppression of the immune system (e.g. with cortisone), however, cure is not possible with conventional therapies.
What is cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) and what is it used for
Cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL) is a procedure in which fat grafts are enriched with endogenous stem cells. The resulting stem cell-based medicine product can be applied to treat scarred tissue and damaged skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue after burns or radiation. Additionally, CAL can be used cosmetically e.g. for soft-tissue reconstruction (breasts, thighs, buttocks), wrinkle treatment (face, décolleté, hands) and rejuvenation.
What means autologous stem cell therapy?
A stem cell therapy is called autologous, when the stem cells that are injected into the joint/tissue/organ for treatment were previously isolated from the same patient (Greek: “autos” = “self”).
What is an allogenic therapy?
When the stem cells for treatment are derived from a genetically different donor, the therapy is called allogenic (Greek: “allos” = “foreign”). In contrast to organ transplantations, allogenic stem cells transplantations can be easily performed since stem cells are not recognized by the immune system. Due to the extraordinary proliferative capacity of the ASCs, allogenic treatment of thousands of patients can easily be treated with cells extracted from a single fat graft, drastically reducing production costs.
How are stem adipose-derived stem cells extracted?
Mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (ASCs) are obtained via liposuction. First, fat is extracted from the donor under local anesthesia and sedation in one of our obtaining clinics. The risk of narcosis is omitted. Subsequently, the adipose tissue is transported to our GMP-certified manufacturing site where the stem cells are isolated and expanded (if needed) under strictly controlled conditions.
Does Oxacell manipulate the cells in any way?
No, following isolation the adipose-derived stem cells are mixed with a physiological solution for injection without further manipulation.
Is the use of stem cells safe?
Stem cell therapies are novel, experimental procedures at a very early stage in research and development. In most cases, neither long-term studies nor reliable data on success, risks and adverse effects is available.
Are there known adverse-effects of the treatment with adipose-derived stem cells?
The occurrence of adverse effects be can never be fully excluded for any medical treatment. However, up to date, adverse effects of stem cell treatments have been reported only in very rare cases. The most frequently side effects are of low degree and include pain and irritation at the site of injection.
Where can I find scientific proof of stem cell efficacy?
You can find scientific publications e.g. here.
Does this form of stem cell treatment raise ethical concerns?
No. At OXACELL® AG, we only use adult stem cells derived from adipose tissue of voluntary donors with their full consent after comprehensive information. In contrast to embryonal stem cells, no blastocysts (early-stage embryos) are have to be destroyed for their isolation.
Is such a treatment regulated by the authorities?
Yes. The isolation of stem cells for medical purposes requires a manufacturing authorization according §13 AMG (Medicinal Products Act) which is granted by the German authorities. Surveillance and Inspections ensure compliance with highest quality standards (according to the GMP-regulation).