Backed by 25 Years of Science and Research
Since 2018, BioXcellerator has been offering cell therapy to treat a wide range of conditions. The latest research shows that mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cords that we use for treatment can signal the body’s own cells to promote healing, modulate the immune system, control inflammation, and repair damaged tissues.
Clinical Studies
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Degenerative Disc Disease
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Knee Osteoarthritis
What are Stem Cells?
Because millions of cells in our bodies die and become damaged each day, they need to be constantly replaced. This is the body’s natural repair process, which is how injuries heal and how we recover from diseases.
All cells—regardless of function—are created from one special type of cell—a stem cell. Through a process called differentiation, a stem cell divides into two cells. That second “daughter” cell can be another stem cell or other type of new cell.
Normally the body has enough stem cells to support the need to generate new cells. But there are various reasons why there may not be enough stem cells available to replace cells needed to promote healing and fight diseases. Cell therapy has attracted the interest of the scientific community because new research and studies show that treatment with various types of cells can help supplement the body to use its own stem cells to improve the regenerative process and promote healing.
- Exhibit exceptional regenerative properties
- Demonstrate highly effective anti-inflammatory properties—reducing levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines
- Release growth factors that the body can use to promote healing
How Cell Therapy Works
All cells—regardless of function—are created from stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into specific cells in various organs or tissues through a natural development of growth process.
Indeed, stem cells work as part of the body’s natural “repair team” to replace the many different types of cells in the various structures, organs, and tissues.
- If you burn your skin, your body turns stem cells into new skin cells.
- If you’re fighting an infection, your body turns stem cells into new immune cells.
- And if the cartilage tissue in a joint deteriorates, your body turns stem cells into new cartilage cells.
Types of Stem Cells
Extracted from the adipose (fatty) tissue or bone marrow from a patient or another compatible donor, these stem cells have been used to treat patients. But because these cells are older, they usually do not provide as much healing potential, nor help ease chronic inflammation.
Although stem cells from embryos are very young and have significant potential to differentiate effectively, ethical issues surrounding the use of embryos for medical procedures prevents the use of these cells in most countries. At BioXcellerator, we do not use embryonic stem cells.
These cells come from tissue that’s usually discarded after birth, including the placenta, amniotic fluids, and umbilical cord. These cells are young and known to be among the most effective to stimulate healing, modulate the immune system, and secrete growth factors that may help tissues throughout the body to regenerate. Because these cells are the byproduct of a healthy birth, they are “adult” stem cells and use of these cells does not create any ethical concerns.
At BioXcellerator, we use a special type of perinatal cell, Mesenchymal stem cells that are derived from the Wharton’s Jelly in umbilical cords.
Research shows that these cells are among the most effective at stimulating healing, modulating the immune system, and repairing damaged tissues.
Benefits of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Based on research by Dr. Arthur Caplan and other noted scientists, Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSC) derived from umbilical cords share characteristics that can lead to effective treatment and are ethically sourced.
Cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cords represents an exciting frontier in the science of medicine. Although these cells do not replace damaged cells in the body, research shows that these cells communicate with other cells—in a sense, “teach” other cells how to function in a way that can help the body heal itself.
Properties of BioXcellerator Mesenchymal Stem Cells
- A capacity to divide many times, yet remain undifferentiated
- Natural synthesis and secretion of growth factors that stimulate or activate a patient’s own cells in a way that promotes expansion and proliferation
- More ability to migrate to tissues that require healing and control of inflammation
- Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory properties to better regulate the immune system and reduce harmful inflammation throughout the body
- Signaling properties based on cytokines, chemokines, and trophic factors
Signature Cells
Many clinics procure cells from other labs, but the cells can degrade during shipping. At BioXcellerator, we operate our own on-site lab and cell bank to assure cells meet the highest standards for safety, efficacy, potency, and viability.
Our lab complies with widely accepted international standards and our protocols have been designed based on extensive research into selecting, testing, refining, and purifying cells before they are cultured and expanded into infusions with the highest potential to stimulate healing—our Signature Cells.
Screening
Although donors are screened for health issues, the cells extracted from umbilical cords are then tested for specific proteins and genes that research has identified as offering high potential for effective treatment.
Purification
Cells that pass screening tests are purified and then expanded so that infusions can be prepared that contain millions of high-potency cells that the body can use to promote healing, modulate the immune system, and reduce inflammation.
Ongoing Testing
Cells are tested as they are expanded and “passaged” into larger containers. Once expansion is complete, cells are tested again to verify that they meet various markers and criteria.
Cryo-Preservation
After cells have been expanded and tested, they are frozen in our cell bank. When re-activated, they are tested once more to ensure quality and viability.
Precision Stem Cell Applications
Most patient protocols include at least one intravenous (IV) infusion. For this simple procedure, cells are infused intravenously to allow the cells to circulate throughout the body.
Other treatment protocols include direct injection to specific treatment sites. When appropriate, our physicians take advantage of advanced imaging technology such as X-ray fluoroscopy to precisely guide cells to these sites. Depending on the condition being treated, these injections can include:
- Intramuscular: Injection of cells directly into a muscle, a procedure that does not require anesthesia.
- Intraarticular: Injection of cells directly into a joint, commonly used to treat arthritis or orthopedic injuries, and does not require anesthesia.
- Intradiscal: Injection of cells into discs and facets of the spine, and usually requires intravenous sedation.
- Intrathecal: Injection of cells directly into the spinal canal, which usually requires local anesthesia.
Ongoing Research and Innovation
- Degenerative disc disease
- Joint diseases and other musculoskeletal diseases
- Autoimmune diseases
- Brain and neurological disorders
- Wounds and tissue restoration
- And many others
A recent review by (Galderisi et al.) identified that between 2015 and 2020, there were 416 clinical studies registered to study mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow, umbilical cord, and adipose tissue—to treat multiple diseases. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health database, 117 of those studies have been completed.
Although there has been a significant increase in the number of studies to demonstrate safety and effectiveness, further studies are still needed to confirm this evidence, validate safety and identify future research opportunities in protocols for isolating cells, culturing and expanding cells, and administering them to patients for treatment.
BioXcellerator is now participating in clinical studies that will contribute to this research so that this promising science can help benefit more patients worldwide.
Why are Treatments Not Available in the US?
Although FDA regulations allow Mesenchymal stem cells to be used for treatment in the U.S., the agency does not currently allow these cells to be cultured and expanded. Meaning patients at U.S. clinics may only receive a few thousand cells.
But cell therapy can be far more effective when tens of millions of cells are administered. This is why many patients travel to BioXcellerator for treatment.
