The autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) we use are mesodermal cells that can differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, fat cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, liver cells, and more—but they do not differentiate into cancer cells. In numerous clinical cases involving MSCs in Japan, no instances of cancer development have been reported.

Our bodies naturally produce some cancer cells every day, but the immune system effectively eliminates them. Stem cell therapy can regulate immunity, enhance immune cell function, and suppress inflammation. However, due to the complexity of cancer, stem cell therapy should be approached with caution, and it is generally not recommended for cancer patients.

Dementia can be caused by various factors, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular issues (e.g., vascular dementia due to stroke), brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and infections (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease). If dementia is caused by vascular problems, Parkinson’s disease, or similar conditions, stem cells can promote vascular regeneration and repair, reduce neuroinflammation, secrete neurotrophic factors, and enhance neural repair. This, in turn, can improve brain function and help alleviate dementia symptoms.

Due to individual differences, disease complexity, and various uncontrollable factors, no medical treatment can guarantee absolute effectiveness. Medicine involves many uncertainties, and no therapy has a 100% success rate. Doctors aim to develop the best treatment plan based on medical evidence and each patient’s unique condition.

Stem cell therapy can be part of a comprehensive treatment approach to enhance overall therapeutic outcomes. In Japan, there is no insurance coverage for unsuccessful regenerative medicine treatments.

There is a barrier between the brain and blood, known as the blood-brain barrier, which acts like a very tough membrane. This makes it difficult for large molecules, such as mesenchymal stem cells, to enter the brain. This is one of the reasons why Alzheimer’s disease is challenging to treat. However, research has shown that mesenchymal stem cell therapy may have several potential benefits for Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Anti-inflammatory effects: Stem cells can reduce brain inflammation, a key factor in Alzheimer’s disease, and may slow the disease’s progression.

2. Immune modulation: They can regulate the immune system, reducing neuroinflammation and neuronal damage.

3. Neuroprotection and regeneration: Stem cells support the survival and regeneration of nerve cells, potentially slowing neurodegeneration.

4. Clearing β-amyloid plaques: Stem cells can help clear β-amyloid plaques, reducing neurotoxicity in the brain.

5. Variable efficacy: The response to cell therapy can vary significantly between patients.

Case Study:

We had a 72-year-old patient suffering from severe Parkinson’s disease and dementia, often confused about whether she was awake or dreaming. After undergoing stem cell therapy, the patient went from being unable to walk and completely dependent on others to being able to walk, climb stairs, and live independently. Her cognitive clarity also improved, and she became more aware of her behavior. Initially, our goal was to treat her Parkinson’s symptoms, but unexpectedly, the therapy also had a positive impact on her brain function.

1. Effect of ASC Infusion on Cartilage: After intravenous infusion of ASC (adipose-derived stem cells), some of the stem cells may reach the cartilage tissue. However, due to the low blood flow within joints, stem cells have difficulty directly reaching the joints via the bloodstream. Therefore, for conditions like knee osteoarthritis or elbow arthritis, local injections are usually more effective than intravenous infusion because they deliver the stem cells directly to the affected area, promoting more precise cartilage repair and inflammation relief.

2. Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis: The microvascular network in the hands is more developed, allowing ASC infusion to circulate through the bloodstream and reach the inflammation sites in the finger joints. This helps with repair and anti-inflammatory effects. Many hand osteoarthritis patients, especially women, may have conditions related to hormonal changes or immune system disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis). ASC infusion can alleviate systemic inflammation, including hand arthritis, by regulating the immune system and balancing hormones.

Case Study:

The clinic’s administrative director once experienced pain in both hands and wrists due to hormonal changes. After undergoing two intravenous stem cell infusion treatments, the pain completely disappeared within two months and has not recurred to date.

ASC infusion (adipose-derived stem cell intravenous infusion) refers to the process of injecting stem cells derived from fat into the body via intravenous injection to achieve therapeutic effects. This method allows the stem cells to circulate through the bloodstream and spread throughout the body, exerting widespread biological effects.

Mechanism of ASC Infusion

• Systemic Effects: After intravenous infusion, stem cells enter the circulatory system and are distributed to various tissues and organs throughout the body. This approach is suitable for systemic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and systemic degenerative diseases.

• Targeted Repair: Although stem cells distribute widely, damaged tissues or areas of inflammation release specific chemotactic factors that attract the stem cells to migrate toward the affected region, promoting repair and regeneration. Additionally, for targeted treatment (such as arthritis or facial anti-aging), local injections or mesotherapy (micro-injection) are used to deliver the stem cells directly to the target area, enhancing the therapeutic effect.

1. Does aging affect the efficacy of autologous stem cells?

Indeed, stem cells from younger individuals are generally more vigorous. However, autologous stem cells from older individuals can still be successfully expanded and maintain therapeutic effects through modern culture techniques. Optimized lab conditions and advanced cell separation and screening technologies allow even older stem cells to retain good regenerative abilities. In our clinical practice, most patients are over 50, with some as old as 86, and they have achieved good results with autologous stem cell therapy.

Case Study:

An 81-year-old Japanese doctor suffering from pulmonary fibrosis underwent several conventional treatments but did not see significant improvement. After receiving autologous stem cell therapy at our clinic, his pulmonary fibrosis marker KL-6 decreased from 520 to 361 within six months, and his respiratory condition and physical strength improved significantly. This demonstrates that even with older age, optimized stem cells can have significant therapeutic effects.

2. Can children’s stem cells be used?

Although children’s stem cells are relatively young, we do not recommend using them for several reasons:

• Immune Compatibility Issues:

Even though the stem cells come from direct descendants, they may still trigger an immune rejection response. To prevent rejection, potent immunosuppressive drugs would need to be used, which could increase the risk of infections and other complications.

• Genetic and Health Risks:

Children share only 50% of their genes with their parents, so the stem cells are not a perfect match. They may carry genetic mutations or health risks that could introduce unforeseen problems during transplantation.

• Japanese Legal Restrictions:

According to Japanese law, only autologous stem cells (from the patient themselves) are allowed for use, and allogeneic stem cells (including those from children) are legally prohibited. Therefore, it is not legally possible to use children’s stem cells for therapy in Japan.

For patients undergoing dialysis or kidney transplantation, due to the complexity of their condition, stem cell therapy is generally not recommended. Renal insufficiency can stem from various causes and stages of disease. In cases such as chronic kidney disease, stem cell therapy may offer potential improvements in kidney function, help reduce inflammation, and promote repair.

Case Study:

We had a young patient with kidney failure. After careful observation and treatment, we found that stem cell therapy helped lower her creatinine levels, improved her glomerular filtration rate, restored her physical strength, increased urine output, and alleviated frequent urination. However, for patients with severe renal insufficiency, who are considered high-risk, stem cell therapy is not recommended.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a condition where a blood clot or other material, such as fat or air, blocks one of the arteries in the lungs, potentially leading to serious complications like reduced blood flow to the lungs, oxygen shortage, or even death.

In the context of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, this is considered a potential risk. After intravenous infusion of MSCs, the cells circulate through the bloodstream and initially travel to the lungs. Therefore, theoretically, there is a risk that the cells could cause a blockage in the lungs, leading to pulmonary embolism. However, this remains a potential risk rather than a common occurrence.

To mitigate this risk, we carefully monitor coagulation status by checking D-dimer levels beforehand and rigorously assess the patient’s coagulation system to prevent the occurrence of pulmonary embolism.

After fat is collected, it cannot be guaranteed that all the fat will be suitable for use, as the characteristics of stem cells vary from patient to patient and depend on factors such as the individual’s physical condition on the day of collection. Occasionally, there may be cases where cell expansion is very slow during the cultivation process, and in such cases, it may be necessary to collect fat again. However, this is a rare occurrence. In the vast majority of cases, the fat collected is suitable for use.

This is a specialized culturing process. Culturing after tissue extraction refers to the process of growing and expanding cells obtained from extracted adipose tissue in a controlled laboratory environment.

The steps include:

1. Tissue Extraction: A small amount of adipose tissue is extracted from the patient.

2. Cell Isolation: Stem cells are isolated from the extracted tissue.

3. Cell Culture: The isolated cells are placed in a culture medium and grown under optimal conditions, gradually scaling up the culture.

4. Cell Expansion: The cells proliferate over a period of time, reaching the desired quantity, which typically takes several weeks.

5. Cell Harvesting: Once the cells have sufficiently proliferated, they are collected and further processed for therapeutic use.