The stem cells are transplanted in the body to cure diseases related to bone marrow
, various types of cancers or to rectify the disorders in the immune system.
Stem cells are primarily found in the bone marrow and bloodstream and in the umbilical cord of the new born. Extracting stem cells from the bloodstream is easier process than bone marrow, and the stem cells present in the umbilical cord have the least chances of rejection in comparison to stem cells taken from the bone marrow or the bloodstream which is termed as the peripheral blood stem cells. This is due to the fact that cells in the umbilical cord are not developed to the stage that it can be attacked by the receivers immune system. These days at many laboratories stem cells from the umbilical cord are stored to use for stem cell therapies.
Patients across the world have been benefited from the stem cell treatments. Fatal diseases which at one time were beyond the scope of treatment are now reacting positively to the stem cell therapy. The most popular destination of cure through the use of stem cell is Thailand; it offers the most advanced well equipped latest techniques of treatment and transplant, with state of the art facilities.
The stem cells are stored and preserved in laboratories with the highest degree of care and precaution. These laboratories have accreditation that is recognized globally. The stem cells are kept in hygienic environment that is free of germs and infection.
However the stem cell treatments do not have an identical result on all the patients, there is different degree of repair and recovery from case to case.
The success of the stem cell therapies widely used in the field of medicine is due to its two properties:
1. Ability of self renewal: the capability of the cell to undergo frequent cycles of cell division and yet keep up its undifferentiated condition for further cell division.
2. Power to differentiate into specialized cell types and treat the specific damaged area of the body by replacing the injured cells with new stem cells.
The Stem cells have changed the face of treatment and cure for chronic and fatal diseases related to blood, spinal cord, liver, heart, anti-aging and now the recent research has given hope of treatment of the HIV Virus through these magic cells. The anticipation is that stem cells could be used for replacing weak and damaged cells in the immune system which are defiant to HIV Infection with healthy new cells.
An Experiment on mice which was conducted at the University of California dedicated on regenerative cures that has given some positive results.