Stem Cell Treatment for ALS

Table of Contents ALS and Stem Cell Research ALS Treatment in Mexico Treatment of ALS ALS Stem Cell Treatment Cost Stem Cell Therapy Financing  Giostar Stem Cell Therapy

ALS and Stem Cell Research

Published scientific studies have continuously found that neurotrophic growth factors (NTFs) extend the survival of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and that the combined delivery of these neurotrophic factors has a strong synergistic effect. (7)

Stem cell treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated over the study follow-up period. Most of the adverse effects were mild and transient, not including any treatment-related serious adverse event. The rate of progression of the forced vital capacity and of the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score in the IT (or IT+IM)–treated patients was reduced (from −5.1% to −1.2%/month percentage predicted forced vital capacity, P < .04 and from −1.2 to 0.6 ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised points/month, P = .052) during the 6 months following MSC-NTF cell transplantation vs the pretreatment period. (7)

While stem cells are unable to directly replace diseased motor neurons, transplanted stem cells secrete neurotrophic factors and differentiate into supportive cells, such as astrocytes and microglia, generating a neuroprotective milieu that can slow the degeneration of motor neurons. (8)

It is fundamental to consider that chronic inflammation plays an important role in ALS. The most important therapeutic potential of Stem Cells relies on their ability to regulate inflammation and to empower resident cells to facilitate tissue repair through endogenous stem cell activation or environment modulation. (9)

Motor neurons can be generated in vitro from stem cells of various sources including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) and neural stem cells (NSCs) [10 – 11]

Stem Cell Therapy for ALS

Unfortunately, there currently is no known treatment to cure ALS. Most mass-available treatments focus on controlling the symptoms, functioning as a palliative and superficial solution in order to keep a manageable quality of life. Stem cell therapy not only focuses on treating the symptoms but on actually slowing down the disease’s progression, stopping its advance and reversing the damage done to tissue and organs. Regenerative medicine works in 3 stages:

• Slow Down
• Stop
• Regenerate

The analysis of Giostar Mexico patients has exhibited that that stem cell therapy can help to slow the progression of ALS and improve motor function in patients. The therapy works by replacing the damaged motor neurons in the spinal cord with healthy neurons generated from stem cells.

Patients who received stem cell therapy reported a significant improvement in their symptoms, including improved muscle strength, reduced muscle wasting, and improved speech and swallowing. The therapy has the potential to slow the progression of the disease and delay the need for mechanical ventilation. While more research is needed, these results suggest that stem cell therapy can be a valuable treatment option for patients with ALS.

How much does stem cell therapy cost?

The cost of Stem Cell Therapy needs to be determined by our expert medical team, as prices depend on the specific condition and personalized medical recommendations. Our dedicated team of medical professionals carefully evaluates each patient's unique health situation to recommend the most effective therapy. Stem Cell Therapy includes the following:

• Laboratory protocol by Dr. Anand (activation of the stem cells to direct them towards the affected tissue or organ)
• 1 - 3 stem cell vials (35 - 105 million stem cells)
• 1 - 10 billion exosomes (volume depends on the doctor's personal evaluation of each patient)
• Oxygen Therapy
• Body preparation
• Medical Consultation
• Dietitian Follow-up post-therapy
• Transportation hotel-clinic in local shuttle
• Lodging (available in our Clinic in Algodones) at Hotel Hacienda or Hotel Cielito Lindo
• Preferential prices for future reinforcements/applications

 

 

Giostar's Approach to Stem Cell Therapy

Being part of the last three decades of innovative discoveries in the research-based area of regenerative medicine, Stem Cell Therapy promotes the reduction and stoppage of degenerative diseases or conditions, such as ALS, physical injuries and aging, bolstering the regeneration of damaged tissues, bodily processes and overall well-being.

Giostar Mexico specializes in medical tourism, receiving patients from all over the world. With the acquired understanding based on scientific research, we are able to provide personalized protocols to each patient. Through specialized allogenic mesenchymal adult stem cells, our regenerative therapy concentrates stem cells in the targeted area, organ or immune system, helping the body stop the progression of a disease or condition and begin regeneration. 

Stem cell therapy in Mexico

• Is stem cell therapy safe and legal in Mexico?

An important question our patients ask before coming to our clinics is: Is stem cell therapy safe? We also understand that, perhaps, the real question is: 

• Is stem cell therapy legal in Mexico? Yes and of course! 

In Giostar Mexico, we ask for each applicant to submit a health history form, from which our medical directors personally evaluate the viability of each applicant. This means that stem cell therapy may not be for everyone. 

Stem cell therapy is thoroughly regulated by the Mexican FDA equivalent: COFEPRIS. Due to advanced legislation, Mexico enjoys sufficient regulatory framework to offer applications otherwise unavailable in countries such as the US or Canada, for example, local direct applications (hands for arthritis, shoulder pain, knee pain), lumbar and cervical applications, all of which have proven better results for patients, than just receiving stem cell therapy intravenously.

Why Choose GIOSTAR Mexico?

GIOSTAR Mexico stands out for its commitment to personalized therapy for various diseases. Recognizing that each patient is unique, we develop tailored protocols to cater to individual differences influenced by genetics and other factors.

To further facilitate access to stem cell therapy, we are pleased to announce our partnership with United Credit, offering eligible US citizens up to $25,000.00 USD in credit for treatment costs. Stem cell therapy, a cornerstone of regenerative medicine, aims to slow down or halt deterioration and even regenerate damaged tissues and organs. By completing our health history form, patients enable our medical staff to determine therapy suitability and craft personalized treatment plans to address specific health conditions.

Stem cell research for ALS

1. del Aguila, M. A., Longstreth, W. T. Jr, McGuire, V., Koepsell, T. D. & van Belle, G. Prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population-based study. Neurology60, 813-819 (2003).
2. ALS Association:https://www.als.org/understanding-als/what-is-als
3. Muscular Dystrophy Association:https://www.mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis#what-causes-als
4. Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354022
5. Arthur, K., Calvo, A., Price, T. et al. Projected increase in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from 2015 to 2040. Nat Commun 7, 12408 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12408
6. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Amyotrophic-Lateral-Sclerosis-ALS-Fact-Sheet#treatment
7. Petrou P, Gothelf Y, Argov Z, et al. Safety and Clinical Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secreting Neurotrophic Factor Transplantation in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Results of Phase 1/2 and 2a Clinical Trials. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(3):337–344. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.4321
8. Goutman, S., Savelieff, M., Sakowski, S., Feldman, E. Stem cell treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a critical overview of early phase trials. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, Volumen 28, 2019, Issue 6. Pages 525-543. Published online: 12 Jun 2019.
9. Letizia Mazzini, Angelo Vescovi, Roberto Cantello, Maurizio Gelati & Alessandro Vercelli (2015): Stem cells therapy for ALS, Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2016.1116516
10. Lee H, Shamy GA, Elkabetz Y et al.Directed differentiation and transplantation of human embryonic stem cell derived motoneurons. Stem Cells 2007; 25: 1931–1939
11. Dimos JT, Rodolfa KT, Niakan KK et al.Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from patients with ALS can be differentiated into motor neurons. Science 2008; 321: 1218–122.** The demonstration that pluripotent stem cells can be directly generated fromfibroblast cultures of ALS patients and differentiated into MNs.