1. Indications for stem cell pancreatitis treatment |
2. Treatment programme |
3. Risks of cell therapy |
4. Treatment efficacy |
5. Leading clinics |
Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It results from the enzymes produced by the pancreas not being released into the duodenum. Staying inside the pancreas, they destroy the gland. The disease occurs in acute and chronic forms, causing a host of unpleasant symptoms. Without treatment, this can cause serious complications up to and including death. How can pancreatitis be treated? What innovative therapies are available abroad? Can it be helped with stem cells? The answers to these questions can be found in our article.
When is the use of stem cells in pancreatic treatment indicated?
Traditional treatment for pancreatitis is usually aimed at relieving pain and other symptoms. This can be achieved with medication and sometimes by surgery. The latter option is often needed when inflammation of the pancreas is caused by cholelithiasis or diabetes. In this case, it may be necessary to remove the bile and/or resect part of the pancreas (partial pancreatectomy).
Some patients can be treated with stem cell therapy to avoid total surgery, restore the function of the organ more quickly and relieve inflammation.
This treatment option for pancreatitis can be a worthy alternative to surgery. It can also decrease the symptoms more effectively than traditional drug therapy.
Treatment of pancreatitis with stem cells is an innovative way of dealing with severe pancreatic inflammation at any stage. The method is considered experimental. It is undergoing clinical trials, but preliminary results suggest that tissue regeneration is accelerated after treatment and, as a result, the damaged organ recovers.
This therapy can be used for both acute and chronic conditions. Mesenchymal stem cells from the patient’s own body are used for this purpose. They are produced naturally in the bone marrow, umbilical cord and adipose tissue. Their use accelerates the process of regeneration of the affected areas of the pancreas.
For more information on the treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis with cell therapy, please contact the coordinating physicians of the MediGlobus international platform. We will answer all your medical questions and help you organize your trip abroad.
How is pancreatitis treated with stem cells?
The treatment programme for chronic and acute pancreatitis is a multi-stage process. Some of these steps can take weeks if the patient’s cells are used for therapy, or days if donor material is used. Initially, mesenchymal stem cells are harvested from the patient’s own or donor’s tissue. Most often, adipose tissue, umbilical cord tissue, or bone marrow tissue will be used for this purpose.
To obtain autologous biomaterial, the patient is taken to the operating theatre. Their skin is cleaned before the sample is taken. Local or general anaesthesia is used to prevent the patient from experiencing discomfort and pain.
The biomaterial obtained is properly processed and sent to a laboratory where it is cultured under special conditions. This stage takes the longest and can last up to a month.
As soon as the cell preparation is ready, the therapy can be started. Stem cells are administered intravenously. Together with the blood, they travel to the sites of inflammation in the pancreatic tissues and ‘attach’ themselves to the affected areas, allowing them to heal as quickly as possible. The duration of the procedure is 1-2 hours.
Risks and complications of cell therapy for pancreatitis
Approximately 95% of patients tolerate stem cell treatment very well. They do not experience any serious complications or side effects. Cellular therapy is particularly successful and effective if carried out in specialised centres with qualified and experienced staff. However, one must not lose sight of the fact that all people are different, so it is impossible to completely rule out the possibility of negative reactions to this method of treatment. Some patients may experience the following complications:
infection,
bleeding,
nausea,
headache,
increased fatigue,
impaired stools.
It is possible to minimise the risks of undesirable effects when treatment is carried out in professional cell therapy centres. Since not all people are suitable for this type of therapy, specialised clinics make sure to run full diagnostics and determine exactly whether the patient is a good candidate for such treatment.
What is the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating pancreatitis?
Stem cell therapy can not only help regenerate tissue but also prevent damage to the pancreas as well as other organs. As a result, it reduces the likelihood of complications and prolongs the periods of remission in the chronic course of the disease.
Stem cells have many therapeutic benefits, including the ability to reduce the inflammatory response and eliminate fibrosis. They are not rejected by the body.
The higher the dose and the earlier the stem cells are injected after the onset of pancreatitis, the more pronounced the anti-inflammatory effect. A reduction in pancreatic oedema is seen soon after therapy.
Read: Where do they treat pancreatitis with stem cells abroad?
Not all hospitals can provide treatment for pancreatitis with stem cells. This innovative technique is available in specialised cell therapy centres, as well as in major clinics in Turkey, the Czech Republic and other countries with developed medicine.
One of the leading hospitals in this field is the Cellthera Stem Cell Therapy Centre in the Czech Republic. It is equipped with a laboratory for the isolation and cultivation of stem cells. The head of the clinic is Professor Jaroslav Michalek, a top European specialist in regenerative medicine.
The Cellthera Centre is approved by the National Institute of Drug Control and accredited by GMP.
The hospital is certified by the International Consortium for Cellular Therapy and Immunotherapy (ICCTI). This means that all therapies at the clinic are carried out strictly according to global standards under the guidance of the consortium’s scientific staff.
During treatment, Cellthera mainly uses stem cells that are isolated from human adipose or connective tissue. The obtained material is processed in the laboratory and injected into the patient. This demonstrates a powerful regenerative effect and helps to alleviate degenerative processes in the affected tissues.
Stem cell treatment for chronic or acute pancreatitis is also available at clinics such as Medistate and Liv in Turkey. They have everything you need, from state-of-the-art equipment to qualified medical staff.
Summary
Chronic and acute pancreatitis require special attention, proper treatment and a gentle diet. Without adequate help, it is impossible to fight the disease successfully. The complications of the disease are serious and sometimes life-threatening.
Nowadays, maintenance therapy is the most commonly used treatment for pancreatitis. Despite early and aggressive treatment, the results are not always positive. Therefore, the use of stem cells offers hope for a significant improvement in the effectiveness of the treatment.
The treatment of pancreatitis through cellular therapy is tailored for each patient individually. It consists of several stages: harvesting of biomaterial, cultivation of cells in a laboratory and the actual application of the drug. Stem cells are administered intravenously. The session lasts for 1-2 hours.
Cell therapy is indicated for both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pancreas. The treatment helps prevent damage to the organ, promotes the regeneration of tissue, reduces fibrosis and eliminates inflammation.
For stem cell therapy abroad, patients go to medical facilities such as the Medistate Clinic in Turkey, the Liv Hospital chain in Turkey and Cellthera Hospital in the Czech Republic.
To go for pancreatic stem cell treatment abroad, click on the button below, fill in the feedback form and wait for our coordinator to call. We will help you to choose the best clinic and doctor.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine
- PMGroup Worldwide
- Molecular Therapy. Family of Journals
- National Library of Medicine
