Treating Multiple Sclerosis with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

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Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system of the patient, which includes the spinal cord and the brain. Multiple sclerosis specifically damages the myelin sheath, which is the protective coating that surrounds the nerve fibers. Damage to the myelin sheath causes a disruption in communication between the nervous system and various parts of the body.

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis can differ between patients. In some cases, patients experience mild symptoms that go away and come back. In other cases, patients may suffer from severe symptoms that worsen over time. People who have multiple sclerosis often experience numbness, muscle weakness, vision problems, balance problems, fatigue, and problems thinking and remembering. This condition is potentially disabling and can impact nearly every aspect of a patient’s life.

How Many People Have Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is considered to be a rare disease. In the United States, fewer than 200,000 cases are reported annually. However, estimates show that around 1 million people currently live with multiple sclerosis in the United States.

Across the globe, around 2.8 million people have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Based on these numbers, less than 1% of the entire population has been diagnosed with this condition or 35.9 cases per 100,000 people. The median age of diagnosis is 32 years. When it comes to diagnosis, females are more than twice as likely to have multiple sclerosis than males.

What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?

Patients who suffer from multiple sclerosis can experience an array of symptoms and signs. The symptoms that are experienced can vary greatly from person to person. This is generally dependent upon where the location of the affected nerve fibers. Some of the most common symptoms reported by people who suffer from multiple sclerosis include:

Vertigo
A lack of coordination
Tingling
Numbness or weakness in one or several limbs, typically on one side of the body
Unsteady gait and/or an inability to walk
Blurry vision
Electric-shock sensations with neck movements
Problems with sexual functions
Bowel problems
Bladder problems
Mood disturbances
Slurred speech
Fatigue
Cognitive problems
Partial loss of vision
Pain during the movement of the eyes

In most cases, people who suffer from MS experience relapsing and remitting disease courses. Patients will experience several periods of new symptoms or relapses of old symptoms that develop over several days or weeks. In some cases, the symptoms can partially or completely improve and relapse after a quiet period. There are instances where people can go several months or even years without experiencing any symptoms between a relapse.

What Treatment Options are Available for Multiple Sclerosis?

There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, there are several treatments that can help patients manage the symptoms that they experience and slow down the progression of the disease. In many cases, patients are prescribed medications to help manage the symptoms that they suffer.

Two of the most common treatments for multiple sclerosis attacks include corticosteroids and plasma exchange. Corticosteroids, such as oral prednisone and methylprednisolone injections, are generally used to reduce nerve inflammation in patients who are having active attacks of multiple sclerosis. Plasma exchange is another option that can help to reduce the effects of a current attack. In general, this type of treatment is provided to patients who have suffered symptoms that are new, and severe, and have not responded to other steroids.

Another type of treatment involves modifying the progression of the disease. Multiple disease-modifying therapies, or DMTs, exist to treat patients who suffer from relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis. Aggressive treatment early on can help to lower the rate of relapses, potentially reduce any risks of suffering brain atrophy, and slowing of the formation of any new lesions. Unfortunately, many of the DMTs used for multiple sclerosis, with significant risks to the health of the patient.

Some of the injectable treatments used to address the progression of multiple sclerosis include:

Monoclonal antibodies: These medications are used to target B cells, which are known to cause damage to the nervous system.
Glatiramer acetate: These medications are designed to help block the immune system’s attack on the myelin sheath.
Interferon beta medications: These drugs are generally the most prescribed for patients suffering from MS. These medications interfere with the disease that attacks the body and work to decrease inflammation in patients. Additionally, they are designed to help increase nerve growth.

There are several oral treatment options available to help patients as well. Some of the most common include:

Fingolimod (Gilenya)
Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
Diroximel fumarate (Vumerity)
Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera)
Monomethyl fumarate (Bafiertam)
Siponimod (Mayzent)
Ozanimod (Zeposia)
Ponesimod (Ponvory)
Cladribine (Mavenclad)

Infusion treatments are another option that is provided to patients. These include the use of:

Ocrelizumab (Ocrevus)
Alemtuzumab (Campath, Lemtrada)
Natalizumab (Tysabri)

More recently, doctors are turning to Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor to treat multiple sclerosis that is relapsing and remitting, as well as secondary progressive MS. We are also seeing scientific studies involving the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat multiple sclerosis inpatients. These tests surrounding stem cells have provided promising results when it comes to the future of treating this debilitating and progressive disease.

What are Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

Umbilical cord derived-mesenchymal stem cells, also referred to as UC-MSCs, are a type of cell that can be found in the tissues in the umbilical cord. These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Some of the different types of cells that they can differentiate into include bone cells, cartilage cells, and fat cells.

UC-MSCs also have exceptional anti-inflammatory properties, which makes them ideal for treating autoimmune disorders and various diseases. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are also considered to be more ethical due to the fact that they do not result in the loss of life. They can be safely isolated out of the umbilical cord without having any negative effects on any person.

Studies Surrounding the use of UC-MSCs for Treating Multiple Sclerosis

There are multiple studies surrounding the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat people who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. One of the most notable studies surrounding this novel cellular therapy to treat MS involves a total of 23 patients. Out of the total number of patients, 13 of them were provided human UC-MCS transplantation. Patients who received the mesenchymal stem cells were also provided anti-inflammatory treatments. The control patients received anti-inflammatory treatment alone.

Both groups followed a daily treatment schedule for anti-inflammatory medications. However, patients who received the stem cells were provided intravenous infusions three times within a six-week period for each patient.

At the conclusion of the test, scientists determined that the overall symptoms experienced by the patients who were treated with the umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improved greatly when compared to the patients in the control group. The relapse occurrences were significantly lower, as were the EDSS scores. An assessment of the inflammatory cytokines demonstrated a major shift from the Th1 to Th2 immunity and people who were treated with the stem cells. These findings positively demonstrate a high potential for treatment utilizing these stem cells for patients with MS.

Another study surrounding the use of UC-MSC transplantation focused on two patients who suffered from multiple sclerosis. The patients received a total of seven treatments for their condition. Neither of the patients experienced any adverse reactions. The findings determined that the site symptoms and clinical signs of multiple sclerosis were mitigated in both of the patients after transplantations. The average annual onset frequencies associated with the disease in the transplanted patients was far less than before they received the transplantation. The EDSS scores also demonstrated that the symptoms were mitigated in patient one. The second patient experienced progressive symptoms after their first and second transplantation. As a result, the time between intervals and administration of the stem cell therapy was shortened. Further MRI studies determined that the number of foci on the second patient was dramatically decreased after transplantation. This finding strongly suggests that the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells dramatically promoted re-myelination in the patient.

When it comes to treating multiple sclerosis, studies involving the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated that they had the ability to differentiate towards oligodendrocytes. They are also able to express A2B5 and oligodendrocyte transcription factor markers. Additionally, these stem cells were found to be able to support the integration into the neuronal networks and enhance oligodendrogenesis within the hippocampal neural stem cells of the patients.

When it comes to treating multiple sclerosis, the use of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy has indicated very promising results. This is particularly true when it comes to treatment capacity and tissue regeneration in patients who suffer from this autoimmune-based chronic disorder. Although studies are currently underway, more tests and information are still needed to determine whether this is a reliable treatment for people who suffer from multiple sclerosis.

Curious about our innovative treatments? Explore the possibilities of stem cell therapy with Cellebration Wellness. Call 1.800.601.8290 today!