What are mesenchymal stem cells?
Mesenchymal stem cells, also called mesenchymal stromal cells, are found in many tissues. Dr. Celma exclusively uses MSCs from donated umbilical cord tissue, from donors who have not taken COVID-19 vaccines and who test negative for spike protein.
Umbilical cord MSCs are collected after healthy births from tissue that would otherwise be discarded. They are then processed and tested in the laboratory before they are given to a patient.
How MSCs may help
Research and clinical experience point to three main ways in which MSCs may help:
Paracrine signalling
MSCs release beneficial factors that reduce inflammation.
Regulatory T-cell activation
MSCs help calm an overactive or autoimmune response.
Tissue protection
MSCs support cells and tissue that are still working.
Because these effects act on inflammation and the immune system, MSCs are being studied for a wide range of conditions, from autism and Parkinson's disease to type 1 diabetes, lupus and osteoarthritis.
Why the preparation matters
What a patient receives depends on how the cells were sourced, screened and prepared. That is why every patient of Dr. Celma receives a Certificate of Analysis and the actual laboratory reports, covering:
- Spike protein testing of donor blood, donor tissue and the final MSC preparation
- Sterility, endotoxin and mycoplasma testing
- Cell viability by flow cytometry
- Potency, including functional T-cell suppression assays, and cell surface markers
Read the full laboratory standards
Realistic expectations
Stem cell therapy is not a magic cure. For some patients it offers a real possibility of improvement, but results vary from person to person, and larger clinical trials, long-term follow-up and standardised products are still needed across the field.
Before recommending treatment, Dr. Celma reviews each patient's medical history, current condition and goals, and discusses what is and is not realistic to expect.