In arthritis, pain, redness, and swelling of the hand and knee joints make it difficult for patients to make movements as they desire. When the condition becomes chronic, it can restrict daily activities and may greatly impair quality of life (QOL). There are various types of arthritis with diverse causes, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and it is hard to control pain in many cases.
In recent years, however, stem cell therapy to regenerate and repair cells in the body has attracted attention, and it holds great potential as an option that radically improves arthritis. In this article, we describe the symptoms and causes of arthritis, as well as general treatment methods, and explain how stem cell therapy facilitates joint repair and pain relief.
Arthritis is a general term for conditions in which pain, swelling, and limited joint mobility occur owing to inflammation of the joints caused by some factors. Among many joints in the body, weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, hand, and finer joints appear to be particularly susceptible to the onset of arthritis. When inflammation damages the articular capsule, cartilage, or surrounding tissue, it often interferes with daily life and early and appropriate treatment is important. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout are the major types of arthritis. *1
*1 Reference: Maniwa Orthopedic Clinic
The following symptoms are commonly observed in arthritis:
The degree of progression and appearance of symptoms vary between cases, and it is easier to prevent progression by taking measures while the symptoms are still mild. *2
*2 Reference: OMRON
There are various causes of arthritis. Typically, the following factors are involved:
These factors, alone or in combination, lead to the destruction of tissues around joints, causing pain and deformity. *3
*3 Reference: Alinamin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Currently, stem cell therapy holds promise as a treatment for arthritis.
Here, we will introduce the background of stem cell therapy.
Stem cell therapy has attracted attention as a regenerative medicine technique that aims to repair and regenerate damaged tissue, with the potential to address the causes of arthritis through multifaceted mechanisms such as differentiation and proliferation into cartilage and bone and secretion of growth factors that aid in tissue repair.
Stem cell therapy displays the following advantages in the context of arthritis:
Importantly, stem cells can regulate inflammation and immune function by secreting growth factors as well as differentiate into chondrocytes, bone, muscle, and other tissues. Considering that arthritis is a pathological condition in which excessive action of inflammatory factors destroy cartilage and surrounding tissues, stem cells may contribute to tissue regeneration by breaking this inflammatory loop. However, the effectiveness of the therapy may vary from patient to patient depending on their constitution and disease severity, and research and performance in some aspects are still developing. Therefore, treatment should be selected based on a thorough understanding and recording of the patient’s condition.
At the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation, the following procedures are performed in the treatment of patients with arthritis who wish to undergo stem cell therapy.
Arthritis is a disease in which joint inflammation due to various factors, such as advanced age, autoimmune disorder, and lifestyle habits, causes pain and functional impairment. In recent years, stem cell therapy—a regenerative medicine approach—has attracted attention as a therapeutic option for severe and chronic cases. Stem cell differentiation/proliferation, as well as cytokine secretion, may help repair the cartilage and bone tissue, possibly providing radical pain relief and functional recovery. The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation proposes the administration of stem cell therapy according to the pathological condition of each patient to improve arthritis from a long-term perspective.
The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation offers stem cell-based regenerative medicine as a medical institution approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. *4
If you are interested in stem cell therapy, please contact our hospital for consultation.
The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation carefully selects evidence-based treatment and offers regenerative medicine according to each individual’s concerns based on novel comprehensive treatment strategies. To optimize the results, oral therapies such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or peptide therapy can be combined with stem cell therapy on an as-needed basis.
*4 Source:Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
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[1] Therapeutic Method
The treatment involves harvesting and culturing stem cells from the patient’s adipose tissue and then injecting them locally to the affected area or administering them via intravenous infusion.
[2] Risk of side effects
At the time of fat collection: Adverse reactions such as internal bleeding, swelling, postoperative infection, postoperative scar, and pain at the injection site may be observed.
At the time of stem cell administration: Adverse reactions such as pain at the injection site, allergic reaction, and pulmonary embolism may be observed.
[3] Contact information
The Regenerative Medicine Division, Korokai Medical Corporation
5th floor, Precious 18, 4-14-6 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL:03-6277-4650
[4] Pricing
This treatment is a private therapeutic strategy that is not covered by public health insurance.
For culture of approximately 100–180 million stem cells
*Depending on the number of stem cell cultures obtained from each individual, it may be less than 100 million stem cells.
1 cycle costs 2.5 million yen (tax included)
3 cycles cost 7.2 million yen (payment in installments: 2.5 million yen for the first and second cycles, 2.3 million yen for the third cycle)
5 cycles cost 11.5 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 2.5 million yen for the first through fourth cycles, 1.5 million yen for the fifth cycle)
For culture of approximately 200–280 million stem cells
*Depending on the number of stem cell cultures obtained from each individual, it may be less than 200 million stem cells.
1 cycle costs 3.8 million yen (tax included)
3 cycles cost 11.1 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 3.8 million yen for the first and second cycles, 3.5 million yen for the third cycle)
5 cycles cost 17.5 million yen (tax included) (payment in installments: 3.8 million yen for the first through fourth cycles, 2.3 million yen for the fifth cycle)
Please consult us for further details.
[5] Route of acquisition
Stem cells are cultured at the affiliated CPC.
[6] Presence or absence of devices/drugs approved for the indications in Japan
No approved drugs for the indications are available in Japan.
[7] Safety information from other countries
There are no reports on safety in other countries.
*Significant risks may not have been identified.
[8] The fact that it has not been approved
Drugs used in this treatment are yet to receive approval in accordance with the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.
[9] Unapproved drugs/devices
Public aid systems (such as Relief Systems for Adverse Drug Reactions and Infections Acquired through Biological Products) are not applicable to unapproved drugs and devices.
[10] Notification of regenerative medicine provision plans
To perform this treatment, we have submitted the notification of regenerative medicine provision plans to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in accordance with the Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3210146
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3230187
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3240017
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class II Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan, No. PB3230218
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