Stem cells derived from the umbilical cord are used as a standard treatment 80. diseases. In recent years, new reports on the use of these cells in more disease entities continue to emerge. Doctors in Germany have used them successfully to treat pulmonary hypertension in a 3-year-old girl.
Pulmonary hypertension-what is the disease?
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is currently an incurable disease. It leads to death within about 5-7 years after diagnosis. The condition gets its name from increased pressure in the pulmonary vessels and can lead to overload and failure of the right side of the heart. The causes of pulmonary hypertension can vary, but all patients struggle with, among other things. with shortness of breath or greatly reduced ability to do any physical activity. For this reason, researchers continue to look for new ways and therapies to extend life and improve comfort in people struggling with pulmonary hypertension.
Stem cells and pulmonary hypertension
Doctors in Germany have announced the first success in treating pulmonary hypertension using mesenchymal cells derived from the umbilical cord (HUCMSC- human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell). The patient was a 3-year-old girl struggling with PAH and Rendu- Osler- Weber Disease, who was given intravenous allogeneic stem cells from the umbilical cord from her younger brother. Injections were made five times over six months. The clinical condition of the girl was evaluated after two and six months. Not only were there no side effects, but there was also an increase in exercise tolerance, as well as an improvement in cardiovascular parameters. The girl suffered from growth deficiency and weight gain disorders before the stem cell administration. After the first infusion, she began to grow-she grew 10 cm in 3 months. Moreover, the patient is now 6 years old and feeling well.
According to the researchers, the regeneration of vasculature damaged by the disease, as well as the significant mitigation of cellular damage, are responsible for the improvement resulting from cord stem cell therapy. The research reports, among other things. about the role of prostaglandin PGE2, which may play a key role in the regenerative and immunomodulatory abilities of mesenchymal stem cells.
Scientists unanimously emphasize that further research should be conducted and further opportunities and ways to use stem cells derived from cord blood and umbilical cord should be actively sought.
Bibliography:
https://www.aabb.org/news-resources/news/article/2022/07/13/cord-blood-derived-stem-cells-may-help-treat-pulmonary-hypertension
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053249822018472
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44161-022-00083-z
https://www.cordblood.com/blog/2022/07/Newborn-stem-cells%20used-in-successful-treatment-of-pulmonary-disorder
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