10 Jan How Effective Are Stem Cells For Bone Marrow Cells After Chemotherapy?

If you or a loved one are fighting cancer, you may have heard about the benefits of stem cells for bone marrow cells after chemotherapy. How does stem cell therapy help? Are there any risks? Keep reading to learn more.

What are the benefits of stem cells for bone marrow cells?

While chemotherapy is a very powerful tool against cancer, it can also take a serious toll on the body. Doses of chemotherapy that would effectively kill cancer cells can also cause significant damage to the body, particularly bone marrow. This damage can result in low blood cell counts, leading to bleeding, potentially lethal infections, and other health issues.

Stem cells can help mitigate this damage and promote healing of any damage caused by chemotherapy. Stem cell transplants given after chemotherapy is complete help ensure bone marrow is restored and regenerated. In some cases, this allows doctors to administer stronger and more effective chemotherapy treatments to help ensure cancer cells are eliminated.

Stem cell transplants

Stem cell transplants and stem cell therapy are different treatments. Stem cell transplants are typically administered through a small tube in the chest known as a catheter. The catheter is used so that repetitive use of needles to test blood and administer stem cell treatments is not necessary.

Stem cell transplants use two types of stem cells:

• Autologous stem cell transplants use the cells of the cancer patient. Stem cells are harvested from the body before chemotherapy treatment begins and carefully stored. Once chemotherapy is complete and cancer cells have been eliminated, the stored cells are reinserted into the body. One major benefit of autologous stem cells is a reduced risk of “graft-versus-host disease,” a severe side effect caused by the immune system mistaking cells for invading pathogens.
• Allogeneic stem cell transplants use cells harvested from a donor, typically a relative. It’s best to use cells from a donor who is as close a match as possible, as this helps avoid rejection. Allogeneic stem cells can help kill leftover cancer cells, and in the event that more cells are needed for additional treatments, more can be obtained from a donor.

The type of stem cell transplant prescribed by your doctor can vary based on a number of factors, including age. For example, older patients who cannot handle high doses of chemotherapy may be given lower doses of chemotherapy paired with an allogeneic stem cell transplant. This approach, known as a myeloablative transplant, helps ensure cancer cells are killed while also helping patients re-establish a stronger immune system.

Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy involves supplementing the body with lab-grown stem cells to assist with regenerative benefits. These treatments are generally administered via injection or intravenous infusion.

Stem cell therapy has a number of potential benefits for the body, including:

• Reduces inflammation: This can help heal cellular damage and relieve pain or other inflammation-related symptoms
• Supports healthy metabolism: This can help your body work more efficiently and help boost energy levels
• Promotes tissue regeneration: This can help repair and restore damaged tissues and help ensure healthy cell regeneration
• Supports immune health: Can helps your body fight off infection and help improve recovery time

Stem cell therapy can help address a wide number of healthcare concerns. Studies have demonstrated that stem cell therapy can help repair heart tissue and muscle, as well as assist in regenerating dental pulp and bone. Much progress has also been made in using stem cell therapy to fight the effects of neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or traumatic injury. Most people can safely get stem cell therapy and experience few to no adverse effects from the treatment.

Currently, there is no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved stem cell therapy treatment, as they are still being studied. However, the benefits of stem cell therapy still serve to support and enhance existing treatments for many conditions.

Are there any risks to stem cells for bone marrow cells?

As mentioned before, stem cell transplants include:

• Risk of infection
• Graft-versus-host disease
• Infection

In the case of allogeneic (donor) stem cells, the risk of graft-versus-host disease is higher. Additionally, cells could be infected with an illness from a donor. With autologous (self-donated) stem cells, these cells do not provide any additional cancer-killing benefit. However, it is also possible that cancer cells may inadvertently be collected along with these stem cells and end up back in your body.

The risks of stem cell therapy can vary based on various factors. For example, people with rheumatoid arthritis should avoid stem cell therapy injections directly into muscle tissues, as this can cause fibroblasts to develop, which can lead to inflammation and tissue damage.

Other risks are related to how stem cell therapy is delivered, such as risk of infection at the injection site. Intravenous stem cell therapy can also result in vein damage, blood clots, or air embolism. Risks associated with delivery are often mitigated significantly by following proper procedures and ensuring therapy is administered by a licensed and trained healthcare professional.

Certain types of stem cells intravenously can suppress the immune system’s response against cancerous cells. This does not cause cancer, but it does make it easier for cancer to grow. If you are recovering from chemotherapy and considering stem cell therapy to help achieve recovery, you should be sure to check with your doctor regarding what treatments may or may not be safe for you.

How can I know which stem cells for bone marrow cells are right for me?

Stem cells are a powerful treatment still under review by health experts. However, you can still experience the potential benefits of treatment if you know what to look for.

• First, make sure your stem cell therapy provider is a licensed and trained physician with experience in stem cell therapy treatments.
• You should also inquire about the lab providing the stem cells. Though therapies themselves may not be FDA-approved, the lab itself should be.
• Labs should also operate according to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) to ensure the treatments they produce are safe.
• The doctor should do a thorough consultation, assessing both your personal and family health histories in addition to the concerns you are trying to address before administering any treatment.

Stem cell transplants are typically done in conjunction with chemotherapy treatments. These procedures are complex and may differ on a case-by-case basis depending on a patient’s needs. You should not get any sort of stem cell therapy treatment without consulting the doctor overseeing your cancer treatment plan.