Chaophya Hospital, together with a leading biotechnology firm, TheraVitae, offer state-of-the-art stem cell therapy for end-stage ischemic heart patients. Using stem cells taken from the patient’s own blood, the cells are separated from other kinds of blood cells and increased in number. About one week later, these stem cells are re-injected back into the patient’s blood vessels that supply blood flow to the heart muscle. The cells then migrate out of the blood vessel’s lumen and become part of the ischemic muscle region. There they stimulate the creation of new blood vessels, which bring increased blood flow to the heart muscle fibers. Some of the cells are known to morph into cardiac muscle cells, fuse together with heart muscle fibers, and secrete cytokines. Cytokines are molecules that provide homing signals to recruit other cells and molecules to aid the rejuvenation of the heart muscle. In this case, the stem cells transfused are expected to become or stimulate the formation of new blood vessels.
Benefits of using the patient’s own stem cells:
Because the stem cells are taken from the patient’s own blood, there is no danger that the patient’s body will reject them. The risk of infection is lowered since the genetically identical cells have no infectious agents except what the patient already harbors. Collection of the patient’s cells is a nearly painless process, identical to blood donation. There is no need for immunosuppressive drugs or anesthesia. By using adult stem cells, the process completely sidesteps the ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells.
Administration of the patient’s own stem cells is quite safe. The risks are similar to those of the balloon angioplasty procedure, which is routinely performed the world over. The procedure takes about 14 days, depending upon the patient’s condition. The benefit is usually clinically discernable one month after the treatment. The maximal benefit is apparent at three to six months.
How are the cells administered?
The cells are administered by means of a catheter inserted in the groin artery and threaded into the coronary blood vessels. This is basically the same procedure performed in percutaneous balloon angioplasty.
Who is suitable for this treatment?
For now, the treatment is limited to heart patients experiencing recurrent symptoms and inadequate heart function, even though they have undergone multiple conventional treatments including coronary artery bypass surgery, stenting of stenotic or narrowed coronary vessels, balloon angioplasty and are considered unsuitable for repeat treatment.
Results
While the treatment may not be a complete cure for heart disease, it can substantially improve blood flow in a large majority of patients treated. This reduces chest pains and greatly increases physical capacity. The result for many is an improved quality of life where many activities enjoyed before the onset of the illness can be resumed.
What are the risks?
The risks of cell therapy are essentially identical to the risks associated with balloon angioplasty. The stem cells are very safe and present no added risks since it is a normal part of the patient’s blood.
To date, there have been no cases reported of tumor formation in the over 200 patients receiving cell treatments worldwide. Embryonic stem cells do have the tendency to form tumors, this does not occur with adult stem cells.
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