Each year, about half a million cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) are reported worldwide. SCI is a life-changing medical condition that substantially declines the quality of life. It impacts the neurological system, impairing sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. The injury results in paralysis, loss of sensation, bowel and bladder incontinence, and impaired posture. The incapacity of conventional treatments to regenerate neural tissue limits their effectiveness in promoting functional recovery. The intricate mechanisms of SCI irreversibly alter the tissue microenvironment at the injury site. Therefore, a treatment that can address the lacunae of the conventional therapies and also modify the tissue environment is required. Stem cell therapy qualifies these criteria. It can repair the damaged tissue with their regenerative potential and also foster an environment conducive to repair. Thus, it can effectively cause functional recovery.
Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Stem cells, especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have stirred quite an interest in the field of regenerative medicine. The majority of clinical trials have been employing them in neurological disorders. Therefore, scientists have investigated their working mechanisms of SCI to assess their therapeutic potential.
- MSCs secrete growth factors that prolong nerve cell survival and promote their proliferation for repair.
- They also stabilize the blood-brain barrier and protect nerve cells from damage.
- These cells modulate the tissue environment through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in favor of healing.
- MSCs also increase the blood vessels and improve circulation to spinal cord cells to promote cell regeneration.
The promising results prompted scientists to use MSCs in clinical trials. The results of these trials are remarkable. Patients showed reduction in the disorder severity and significant functional improvements. According to more than 60 trials, the side effects only included fever, headaches, and dizziness.
Benefits of Stem Cells for Treatment for SCI
Stem cells offer multiple benefits that boost their use in therapy for SCI
- They restore the function which is not possible for conventional treatments
- The treatment uses minimally invasive non-surgical procedure.
- The entire procedure takes less than a day.
- It works on a deep cellular level, modulating the mechanisms behind SCI.
- It substantially improves the quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatment In India
India is ranking among the top medical tourism destinations. In regenerative medicine, India has been making long strides through substantial investment and international collaborations. The dedicated institutes have trained experts in stem cells for SCI treatment in India. The world-class facilities, considerable expertise, and high-quality treatment encourage individuals to seek treatment in India. Nevertheless, it is essential to avail treatment from the right source.
Clinics and cells are equally important for the treatment. Any reputable clinic and cell provider should give clear and comprehensive information about the therapy. One can verify the clinic by patient reviews and its adherence to CDSCO and ICMR regulatory guidelines. Similarly, stem cell providers should comply with cGMP and ISO guidelines to ensure a good quality product. The provider should offer details of cells and quality checks on the product. It is recommended to research thoroughly before availing the treatment.
Affordable Spinal Cord Injury Treatment in India
Advanced medical technology available at low prices is one of India’s vantage points, facilitating affordable Spinal Cord Injury treatment in India with regenerative medicine. However, the exact cost depends on the treatment plan that includes types of cells, number of sessions, severity of the disease, and the clinic. Additionally, pre-treatment examinations and post-treatment follow-up might add to the final charges. Some clinics offer rehabilitation therapies and counseling, which could increase the charges. A few clinics also provide services for visas, stay, and hospital admission, which raises expenses. In essence, every clinic proposes a different set of services along with treatment. Therefore, the cost varies with the individual treatment plan and needs, but remains a fraction of what other countries offer. The cost-effectiveness does not compromise the quality of treatment, turning India into a popular hub for affordable stem cell treatment.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Success Rates in India
SCI affects motor, sensory, and autonomic functions, impairing limb movements, ability to sense temperature changes or pinpricks, and loss of bowel control. After stem cell administration, patients have reported improvement in all these areas. SCI Treatment success rates in India using stem cells can be summarized as under:
Sensory Functions: Patients have demonstrated sensation of change in temperature and light touch.
Motor Functions: The individuals who have diminished capacity to walk showed an increase in walking distance in shorter time intervals. The muscle strength improved and people exhibited the ability to grasp objects.
Autonomic Functions: Bladder and bowel control improved considerably in patients.
Despite these improvements, it is important to note that the results vary with each individual. Although most of the patients show improvements, there have been cases where no changes occurred. The degree of changes was faster and better for many individuals, whereas for a few patients, changes happened more slowly.
Spinal Cord Injury Patient Stories
Developments in Regenerative Medicine for SCI
- In March 2025, a breakthrough was achieved in stem cell treatment for SCI. A clinical trial in Tokyo administered stem cells to a patient paralyzed from the neck down. That patient was able to stand himself without any assistive devices after therapy. Similar results can be found across different clinical trials where patients regained partial or complete movement of limbs, improving their quality of life.
- The Japanese government has approved Stemirac, an MSC-based product to treat SCI. It has demonstrated improved functional outcomes and reduced severity of injury. Further studies might commercialize the therapy in the near future.
- The US FDA and China’s NMPA have approved a stem cells-based product, XellSmart, for clinical trials on a global level for SCI treatment.
- Stem cell-derived exosomes have emerged as a new therapy in regenerative medicine, displaying the therapeutic potential of stem cells without any cell-associated risks.
Key Takeaways
India has been strengthening the landscape of regenerative medicine by active investment in research. It has led to a better understanding of the stem cells, outlining protocols, and extending its applications to various disorders. The modifying regulatory standards and increasing clinical trials have contributed to the growth of stem cell treatment in India. It is a remarkable therapy, particularly for disorders lacking a curative treatment. Therefore, stem cells have been employed in SCI and have generated positive results. They develop an environment that promotes neuron regeneration and results in functional recovery.
The recent studies have added to the large body of evidence that stem cell therapy can lead to miraculous results in SCI. Advancells is boosting the growth of this field for SCI treatment by manufacturing premium-quality stem cells. Our team comprises expert scientists who conduct each step of the protocol meticulously to offer the best product.
FAQs:
Q – Are stem cells effective for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
Stem cells have shown noteworthy improvement in SCI patients. However, it should be kept in mind that the degree of improvement varies with individuals.
Q – How much does stem cell treatment cost in India?
The cost of the treatment for SCI is based on the number of sessions, types of stem cells, and severity of the disease. Therefore, the final cost has to be estimated based on individual factors, but it will still be lower than those of other countries.
Q – Is stem cell therapy for SCI successful in India?
Stem cell treatment has obtained noteworthy success in India for SCI patients. Patients have shown improvement in walking and grasping objects; reduction in pain; increase in muscle strength and sensation; and bowel and bladder control.
Q – Why choose India for stem cell treatment?
India provides a combination of state-of-the-art facilities, expert professionals, and advanced technology at lower costs, thus making it an attractive destination for SCI stem cell therapy.
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