CELL THERAPIES
Cell therapies, in particular those using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), represent a modern approach to the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Instead of traditional methods that focus on relieving symptoms and slowing down the progression of disease, MSCs promote healing by activating the natural repair processes of damaged tissues. Multipotent MSCs can restore the disturbed balance in inflamed, damaged or otherwise affected tissues in a variety of ways.
Initially, research into the therapeutic use of MSCs was based primarily on their ability to differentiate into different cell types, but the subsequent discovery of their immunomodulatory and trophic properties has opened up additional avenues for the treatment of various immune-related diseases.
SCIENTIFIC BASIS MSC
MSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate into mesodermal cell lineages such as adipocytes, osteocytes and chondrocytes. Although MSCs were originally isolated from bone marrow, we now know that they can be found in almost all tissues, including adipose tissue and the umbilical cord. MSCs have the ability to migrate to sites of injury in the body, where they differentiate to replace damaged cells and promote tissue regeneration. In addition, they exhibit paracrine signalling and cell-to-cell communication through the secretion of various soluble factors and extracellular vesicles. In an inflammatory environment, they exert immunomodulatory effects on various cells of the innate and acquired immune system, which is one of their key properties exploited for therapeutic purposes.
MSCs can be used for local tissue regeneration or to exploit their systemic action.
GaiaCell develops and prepares the highest quality cell preparations for us.
MSC SECURITY
The safety profile of MSC therapy is extremely important, as more and more patients with different medical conditions are being treated with MSC worldwide.
Published data from randomised controlled clinical trials involving almost 3000 patients, together with our clinical results, show that treatment with intravenous MSCs is safe.
Compared to controls, MSC infusion was only associated with an increased risk of fever, while no acute infusion toxicity, infections, thrombotic and thromboembolic events, malignancies or death were observed.
ImmunoArt MSC has been used almost 100 times with the same safety profile as described in major clinical studies.
THERAPEUTIC AREAS
Orthopaedics
Injury and degeneration of articular cartilage and bone represent a major clinical and medical challenge, with huge costs for the healthcare system.
In recent years, the use of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapies has become very popular in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions, as these cells can replace or at least postpone the need for other, more invasive or less effective treatment methods, such as the insertion of an artificial joint.
Patients received both their own (autologous) and foreign (allogeneic) cells.
Haemato-oncology
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment option for many malignant and non-malignant haematological diseases.
Nevertheless, transplantation is often followed by graft-versus-host disease (GvHD, Graft-versus-host disease).
It occurs in about 30-40% of cases in compliant donors and in 60-80% of cases in non-compliant donors.
GvHD occurs when the transplanted cells start to fight against the recipient’s (patient’s) body, mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract, skin, lungs and liver, where severe inflammatory processes lead to tissue degeneration.
The mortality rate in GvHD patients who do not respond to treatment with steroids and biologic drugs can reach up to 85%.
In some countries, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) preparations have been used for their potent immunomodulatory and regenerative capacities already approved as medicinal products.
Pulmonology
Acute inflammatory and chronic fibrotic lung diseases have a high mortality rate.
Clinical trials being conducted worldwide show that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy holds great potential.
Already at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSCs showed promise as a treatment option for patients requiring mechanical ventilation due to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases
Despite major therapeutic advances in the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, there are still patients who do not respond to existing treatments.
Clinical trials are currently underway around the world to investigate the possibility of treating these patients with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs).
Early results from these studies suggest that MSC therapies are safe.
Improvements in laboratory and clinical results have also been observed in patients who have responded positively to treatment .
Gastroenterology
Chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract represent an important area for mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy, mainly due to the immunomodulatory and regenerative properties of these cells in the inflammatory milieu.
Various studies have shown positive effects of MSC therapy, with improvements in clinical and laboratory outcomes of patients.
Chronic wounds
Chronic wounds remain a major health problem, particularly due to the increasing number of patients and the lack of effective treatments. The therapeutic action of MSC (mesenchymal stem/stromal cells) is mainly demonstrated by through the expression of various moleculesthat stimulate local cellular responses and alleviate the harsh microenvironment of a chronic wound.
Chronic wounds represent a major health challenge, especially due to the increasing number of patients and the lack of effective treatments. The therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are mainly manifested through the expression of various molecules that stimulate local cellular responses and alleviate the harsh microenvironment of chronic wounds.
Vascular diseases
Critical limb ischaemia is the most advanced form of peripheral arterial disease, usually treated surgically.
As many patients do not qualify for surgical treatment, amputation of the limb is often the only option for them.
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapies offer a new approach to treatment by stimulating the growth of new capillaries and improving blood flow to the thigh.
Dermatology
Skin diseases can be caused by immune disorders, external factors or various genetic conditions.
When conventional treatments are not effective, the following may be used Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy, mainly because of their regenerative, immunomodulatory and differentiation properties.
Maxillofacial and oral surgery
Autologous (patient-owned) tissue transplantation is the gold standard for tissue reconstruction needed to restore oral and maxillofacial function and aesthetics.
Complications that can arise when obtaining tissue for transplantation can be avoided by tissue engineering approaches.
Ti pristopi uporabljajo biocompatible cell carriers in combination with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC)which can differentiate into the desired cell types.
Aesthetic interventions
In aesthetic procedures, the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is well known. The harvesting of these cells is simple, as mini-liposuction is performed under local anaesthesia.
One of the advantages is that it is not necessary to multiply the cells in the laboratory to obtain a sufficient number of cells.
