Famous Celebrities Having Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system).

In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause permanent damage or deterioration of the nerves.

Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely and depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others may experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms.

There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms. Because of the difficulty and the inability of current treatments to stop progressive neurodegenerative changes, alternative therapies are being evaluated. One of the treatment options currently being used is stem cell therapy with mesenchymal stem cells. 

The most promising and beneficial approach uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because of their immunomodulation potential, safety and simplicity to obtain. They can be derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord, placenta tissue and other sources.

Mesenchymal stem cells are self-replicating cells that have shown in different studies to have the ability to suppress the effects on T cell proliferation and to reduce clinical scores, demyelination and inflammatory infiltrates in the central nervous system. 

Mesenchymal stem cells have immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive and repair functions. They can inhibit both the innate and adaptive immune responses in addition to having a transdifferentiation capacity, which means that they are able to transform from one cell type to another into neuron-like cells. 

Clinical studies have proven the beneficial capacities of MSCs, such as the ability to:

• Modulate the immune system.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Heal injuries in the central nervous system by regenerating damaged areas.
• Stimulate neuronal stem cell differentiation.

Due to the lack of effective treatment options, several famous people have been using cellular therapies to treat this condition. Some of them are:

Selma Blair  

Actress Selma Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2018 when she was 46 years old.  She had been living with MS symptoms for about 15 years by that time, which was exacerbated after giving birth to her son. She experiences gait and coordination issues, neck pain, fatigue, spasmodic dysphonia and anxiety.

She did not throw out her career despite the worsening of the disease and became a relentless advocate for patients with MS and other incurable diseases. She oftens demonstrates the challenges she faces within her struggle with MS. In 2020, she underwent chemotherapy with further stem cell transplantation and she is in the process of recovery now.

Jack Osbourne

Son of rock star Ozzy Osbourne, actor and TV personality. He became aware of his MS diagnosis in 2012 when he was 27. Despite the disease, he pursues an active lifestyle, works on TV and shares his experience of day to day living with MS.

In 2013, Jack travelled to Germany to get stem cell therapy which had not yet been approved in the US. Inspired by the treatment, Osbourne created a website and a channel on YouTube to spread knowledge about the biological principles of MS and treatment approaches utilizing stem cells. His sister, Kelly, was successfully treated with stem cells for Lyme disease and also supports the regenerative medicine approach in the treatment of diseases.

Patients who received the MSCs-based therapy observed positive effects expressed as decreasing spasticity, reduced pain, increased control of the limbs, vision improvement, as well as others. The treatment is usually well tolerated with only minor short-term side effects. Cell therapy works most effectively when combined with other therapeutic methods which help to activate the tissue repair process.

At our clinic in Zignagenix you have access to this incredible treatment option at an affordable price compared to facilities from other countries. We do stringent screening of the tissues that are procured, processed, and tested in accordance with standards established by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and FDA requirements. Also, you will be treated by certified physicians in the regenerative medicine area. 

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Source:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269

https://www.startstemcells.com/8-famous-people-with-ms.html