What is stem cell therapy? An overview detailing the types and benefits

In the medical field, regenerative medicine has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. In particular, stem cell therapy holds promise as an innovative therapy that potentially repairs tissues damaged by injury, aging, or disease at a cellular level. Its applications in the treatment of diseases that are considered difficult to cure with conventional medical care, such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, and cerebral infarction, are currently being examined through clinical studies in various countries around the world.

This article explains what stem cells are, what kinds of cells they are, and what processes stem cell therapy specifically includes. In addition, the benefits of stem cell therapy and examples of diseases in which the therapy has proven effective will be introduced, which will help unravel the status and possibilities of regenerative medicine.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are specialized cells with two properties: self-renewal (ability to create exactly the same cells as themselves) and multilineage differentiation (ability to differentiate into various cells). Owing to these properties, stem cells can create cells of various tissues and organs in the body and repair damaged tissues.
Fertilized eggs, which represent the early stage of human development, are totipotent, meaning that they possess the ability to change into any cell and tissue. In the process of growth, they gradually differentiate and form various organs. There are several distinct types of stem cells, corresponding to these various stages of development, and certain amounts of stem cells are believed to be retained in the adult body to prepare for injuries and aging. *1

*1 Reference: Japan Regenerative Medicine Attend Center

Types of stem cells

Stem cells are generally classified into three types based on differences in the stage of development and ability to differentiate:

• Embryonic stem (ES) cells: Cells derived from blastocysts, which are partially developed fertilized eggs. These cells have “pluripotency,” which is the potential to differentiate into all types of cells, but there are ethical issues because fertilized eggs are used.
• Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells: Cells that are made to acquire pluripotency by introducing multiple genes into somatic cells such as skin and blood cells. These cells supposedly have the same level of differentiation ability as ES cells, and although a few ethical problems exist, issues such as the risk of developing cancer and safety evaluation remain.
• Adult stem cells: Stem cells present in adult tissues such as bone marrow, fat, and umbilical blood. Although their differentiation ability is limited, these cells can contribute to the maintenance and repair of the body and cause almost no rejection following autologous transplantation.

Stem cell therapy in clinical settings tends to utilize primarily adult stem cells and umbilical blood-derived stem cells, for which safety evaluation has been relatively established in blood transfusion preparations, etc. *2
*2 Anti-aging Site

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that supplements or repairs damaged tissues and functions using stem cells, which possess the ability to both self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types.

The following steps depict a typical treatment flow.

• Stem cell collection: In the case of autologous stem cell therapy, stem cells are harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow, fat, blood, etc. In some cases, allogeneic cells may be used, but risks such as risks of rejection must be considered.
• Culturing and processing: Harvested cells are grown and processed under a strict control system, and the required amount of stem cells are prepared while ensuring high quality and safety.
• Administration to the affected area: Stem cells are introduced to the target site via injection, intravenous infusion, catheter, etc., with the expectation that they will promote tissue repair and inflammatory suppression.
• Follow-up: Patients are regularly examined to monitor symptom improvement and detect any adverse reactions. Additional dose administration or alternative treatment may be combined with stem cell therapy as needed.

Stem cells not only produce new cells via differentiation but also bring about multifaceted effects by secreting growth factors and cytokines to suppress inflammation and support tissue repair. *3

*3 Reference: BTR Arts Ginza Clinic

Advantages of stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy displays the following advantages, which may be the reason for the increased interest in this therapy:

• Fundamental repair of tissues and organs: Stem cell therapy aims to regenerate damaged organs and tissues at a cellular level, in addition to providing symptom relief.
• Fewer side effects: When autologous stem cells are used, there are low risks of rejection and serious adverse reactions.
• Multifaceted approach: Growth factors and cytokines secreted by stem cells act in a multifaceted manner to regulate inflammation and immunity, which may exert effects even in diseases where improvement is difficult with conventional treatments.
• Prospects: Development of advanced research including iPS cells is expected to enable its application in radical treatment of intractable diseases and severe disorders.

Diseases known to respond to stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is being studied and applied clinically in the context of various diseases and conditions. The following examples represent areas where the therapy has been suggested to be effective.

• Cardiac diseases (e.g., myocardial infarction, angina pectoris): An approach to regenerate necrotic myocardium and restore cardiac function is expected.
• Cranial nerve diseases (e.g., cerebral infarction, spinal cord injury): Stem cells may repair damaged nerve tissue and contribute to the recovery of motor and sensory functions.
• Diabetes mellitus: Research aimed at regenerating pancreatic β cells, which support insulin secretion, is ongoing.
• Liver/kidney diseases: The therapy aims to supplement impaired organ functions using stem cells.
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: The therapy attempts to improve pain and functional impairment via regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue.
• Skin diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis): There is potential for fundamental improvements in inflammation and dryness through immune regulation and tissue regeneration.

Flow of treatment at the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation

At the Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation, we implement the following process when administering stem cell therapy in order to maximize its safety and effectiveness.

1. Initial consultation and tests: We will determine the indication for stem cell therapy based on blood tests, imaging tests, and interviews of the patient to obtain detailed information such as disease condition, medical history, and current treatment course.
2. Stem cell collection and culture: The patient’s own stem cells will be extracted from sources such as the bone marrow and fat and cultured and grown under strict control.
3. Preparation of the treatment plan: The frequency and method of stem cell administration (e.g., intravenous infusion, local injection) and whether concomitant use of other therapies is possible will be examined.
4. Administration of stem cells and follow-up: After stem cells are introduced, symptom improvement and adverse reactions will be monitored regularly. Additional dose administration or modification of the plan will be performed as needed.

Future possibilities of stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy is a new regenerative medicine approach that utilizes human cells with regenerative capacity to radically regenerate tissues damaged by injuries or diseases. With stem cells, which have the ability to both self-renew and undergo multilineage differentiation, it is possible to achieve fundamental recovery by supporting the regulation of inflammation and immunity, as well as the reconstruction of blood vessels and tissues. The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation plans stem cell therapy according to the pathological condition and needs of each patient and helps patients improve their quality of life. Considering stem cell therapy as a new treatment option may be worthwhile, even for diseases that have not responded adequately to conventional treatments or for symptoms that have been considered refractory.

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, a combination of oral therapy, such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy or peptide therapy, and stem cell therapy will be used.

*4 Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

The Regenerative Medicine Division of Korokai Medical Corporation – a stem cell therapy clinic in Tokyo

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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 at 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
*Since the number of stem cells that can be grown varies from person to person, 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 each 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 each for the first through fourth cycles, 1.5 million yen for the fifth cycle)
For culture of approximately 200–280 million stem cells
*Since the number of stem cells that can be grown varies from person to person, 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 each 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 each for the first through fourth cycle, 2.3 million yen for the fifth cycle)
Please consult us for further details.
[5] Route of acquisition
Stem cells will be 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 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3210146
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230187
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3240017
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Class 2 Regenerative Medicine Provision Plan No. PB3230218