This Is What You Could See After ALS Stem Cell Treatment

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is recognized worldwide as a type of MND that affects individuals on a nervous system scale. It is essentially a neurodegenerative disease that advances at a rapid pace. The time span between experiencing ALS symptoms and being dependent on others can be relatively short. At times, only a few months.

In light of medicinal progress, our comprehension of the causes has deepened, improving significantly over time. To fight back and find a cure, doctors have armed themselves with regenerative medicine. They are exploring the stem cells for the process. While there is currently no known cure for the illness. ALS stem cell treatment is expected to play a role in enhancing the management of the condition. in the future. In this article, we will explain what amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease is. And how stem cell treatment is positioning itself to change the landscape of ALS treatment.

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease?

ALS is seen as a type of motor neuron disease that impacts both upper and lower motor neurons in the central nervous system. The disease initially could manifest its symptoms in limbs. Eventually spreads throughout the body, leading to muscle weakness in limbs and hyperactive reflexes.

ALS is classified into two broad types depending on how it occurs, namely:

1. Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis accounts for up to 90% of the cases whose causes are unknown. The cases occur randomly, without any known genetic cause or family history of ALS.
2. Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis affects a small proportion of the population. It is passed on to each generation of individuals.

Sometimes the condition is referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease because of the baseball players who are diagnosed with it. The term “Lou Gehrig’s disease” is the common term for ALS in the USA. In other parts of the world, it is also used as the common name for MND.

ALS is a life-limiting or fatal condition. A person with ALS is expected to live around two to five years after diagnosis. That said, there are plenty of outliers as well. Take Stephen Hawking, for example. The renowned physicist was diagnosed with ALS at age 21. But was able to live a life till the age of 76. Stephen Hawking’s longevity was attributed to his diagnosis and the quality of the treatment he received in his lifetime. The exact details of his care remain unknown to the public eye. It is widely believed that his genetic makeup and the nature of his illness played significant roles in prolonging his life.

Please note: Outliers are rare individuals who defy what’s known about ALS. Most of the time, the fatality occurs when the muscles of the respiratory system or the bulbar region (neck region) are affected. It means that the person is unable to either breathe or gets dehydrated due to a lack of food and water.

Regenerative Medicine Utilizing Placental Stem Cells

Doctors and researchers have given up hope and are turning to regenerative medicine to potentially cure ALS patients. To achieve a cure, they are exploring the role of stem cells and exosomes.

Stem cells are the body’s undifferentiated cells that, under the correct signals, can transform themselves into multiple cell types. They are a potent source of growth and repair signals that are secreted as exosomes into the body and create a conducive environment for damaged motor neurons to repair themselves. They have been shown to transform into muscle cells and neurons. Mesenchymal stem cells also show a paracrine effect. It means they also help create favorable conditions that allow for neurons to get repaired. Hence, their use can potentially treat ALS.

Researchers have discovered that exosomes are capable of regulating the SOD1 protein, responsible for ALS. It is a combination therapy that uses stem cells and exosomes to remove the mutated gene and repair the damage the conditions have caused to the body. Significant efforts are being made to develop stem cell therapy for ALS that can help people live independently.

Please note: The specific management plan for ALS will vary based on individual needs and disease progression.

What do clinical studies prove about ALS stem cell treatment?

While recovery from ALS is not possible, innovative treatments such as stem cells offer hope for ALS patients. Early clinical trials exploring mesenchymal stem cell therapy for ALS have yielded promising results, highlighting their potential to combat the disease progression. Here are a few clinical studies trying to use stem cells for treating ALS:

• Stability and Improvement in Spain: A Phase I trial in Spain, utilizing bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, demonstrated stability in all participants after 18 months. Even more promisingly, participants experienced improvements in motor function, balance, and coordination (Ruiz-López FJ et al., 2016).
• Functional Brain Improvement in Czechoslovakia: A randomized, open-label Phase I/II study conducted in Czechoslovakia employed autologous (patient-derived) MSCs. This study showed that MND patients had significantly stabilized, and their ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) scores went down, which means they had better function, at different follow-up times (Syková E et al., 2017).
• Delayed Progression Across Studies: After MSC therapy, participants were stable in several studies, including a controlled, randomized trial with 10 patients (Syková E et al., 2017; Rushkevich YN et al., 2015). These studies also observed a delay in disease progression and muscular strength degeneration.
• Safety and feasibility Confirmed in the US: A Phase I trial in the US utilized intraspinal infusions of MSCs in 10 patients. This study demonstrated the safety, feasibility, and stability of the treatment approach over a 6- to 10-month clinical assessment period (Glass JD et al., 2012).

What can you expect after ALS stem cell treatment?

Researchers and a few independent studies have observed the following after ALS stem cell treatment:

• Slowing disease progression
• Improving motor performance
• Restoring mitochondrial activity
• Reducing SOD1 aggregates in brain cells.
• Targeting lesioned brain areas
• Providing endothelial cell protection

Remember, stem cell therapy is a personalized treatment option for ALS. Therefore, the results will vary from one individual to another, where a few people might respond very well and others might observe no changes. It is also due to the same reason ALS stem cell treatment cost will also vary from person to person.

Patient Success Stories

But the surmounting pile of evidence suggests that individuals who undergo ALS stem cell treatment have a lower mortality rate than those who do not undergo stem cell therapy, with some reports indicating a potential 30-month increase. Considering the fatal and fast paced nature of ALS, even a few months of longevity is a time that every patient cherishes with their family.

Beyond ALS stem cell treatment

Studies have revealed the potential of stem cell treatment to offer holistic benefits to patients with different forms of ALS. The supportive care that may be offered to speed up the process of recovery after ALS stem cell treatment in India includes:

Physiotherapy

Regular physical therapy exercises are helpful for MND patients to maintain movement and daily activities. It can also help prevent muscle stiffness and tightness.

Speech Therapy

Some forms of MND are known to cause muscle weakness in the tongue and throat (bulbar region) muscles over time. In order to effectively communicate even after the progression of MND, speech therapy can help people communicate more easily and effectively.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy sessions have been found to be beneficial for individuals to learn new techniques for accomplishing daily tasks such as grooming and feeding. This therapy helps to enhance independence and stability for individuals with MND.

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Studies indicate that HBOT sessions have the potential to enhance the movement of stem cells, including those that are injected and the body’s own. It enables them to reach damaged areas and potentially contribute to the healing of tissues.

Last Words

In conclusion, ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with no cure for it. Advances in ALS stem cell treatment are here to offer hope. Researchers and doctors are using a combination of stem cells and exosomes to potentially slow the disease progression, improving motor function, and enhancing the quality of life for ALS patients. While outcomes are going to vary, early clinical trials indicate that ALS stem cell treatment may extend survival and reduce the rate of symptom progression.

Frequently asked questions:

Where can I get stem cell treatment for ALS?

For those considering ALS stem cell treatment, ensure that you research and select a known clinic that has a history in stem cell therapy. Also, make sure they have all the required technical information to make sure the procedure aligns with ethical standards, which is critical. Worldwide there are several centers, but among them India is emerging as a center for these treatments. It is all due to the fact that in India you have to pay a reasonable price for the advanced procedures and world-class quality of stem cells.

What is the approximate ALS stem cell treatment cost?

The cost of ALS treatment will greatly depend on the patient. Doctors will be able to make an informed decision after having a thorough look at the patient’s medical history.

What is the longest someone has survived ALS?

The most popular case of long term ALS survival is that of Stephen Hawking. He is the renowned English physicist who has survived for about 55 years after a diagnosis of ALS at the age of 21. It is especially due to the round-the-clock care he received, and experts speculate that his genetics have a huge role to play in the same.

Does ALS have a 100% death rate?

Patients with ALS usually live for about 3 to 5 years. Out of these, about 25% live five years or more. 10% of patients live more than 10 years. That said, there are several examples of individuals who live significantly longer life spans.

What is the best therapy for ALS patients?

The best therapy for ALS patients is actually a combination of multiple therapies, including (but not limited to) physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and regenerative medicine, that include stem cells and exosomes. Sometimes medications are involved as well to help ease the peripheral conditions that accompany and cause distress to the patient.