Stem cell therapy is attracting attention as the forefront of regenerative medicine.
However, some misinformation and rumors have spread widely, hindering sound decision-making.
Although the prospect is appealing, people remain hesitant given the ambiguity surrounding the associated risks.
This article will comprehensively address these rumors, enabling you to undergo stem cell therapy in Malaysia with complete peace of mind.
Misunderstanding 1Other People's Stem Cells Cause Rejection and Risk of Death
Typically, in organ or bone marrow transplantation (e.g., for leukemia), allogeneic cells require donor matching. Should an incompatibility exist, rejection reactions can occur, which may even be fatal. This is a widely recognized fact.
From this portrayal, it is easy to imagine that allogeneic stem cells are dangerous.
To date, there has never been a rejection reaction with Wharton's Jelly stem cell therapy from another person.[1]
The reason is that undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells do not have "tipe" yang membedakan orang lain dari diri sendiri.[2]
This 'type' is Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), which is present on the cell membranes of nearly all cells. It distinguishes self-cells from foreign entities and possesses a mechanism to eliminate health-threatening foreign substances from within the body.
This is called a rejection reaction.
Should allogeneic cells be introduced into the body in significant quantities, immune dysregulation may ensue. This can culminate in a cytokine storm, potentially leading to respiratory failure, acute hypotension, thrombosis, and ultimately, mortality.
However, stem cells without human leukocyte antigens are not recognized as foreign bodies at all.
Furthermore, Wharton's Jelly stem cells derived from the umbilical cord have special immune characteristics; they naturally adapt as if they were the body's own cells while balancing immune function, and are responsible for tissue repair.
The immunological profile of Wharton's Jelly stem cells is a globally recognized subject within the regenerative medicine industry. Consequently, if any physician or expert asserts that "allogeneic stem cells are dangerous," it unfortunately indicates a lack of current knowledge on their part.
We recommend validating the latest research and papers.
Particularly, umbilical cord-derived Wharton's Jelly stem cells are recognized as a safe treatment with low rejection.
Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are a type of stem cell with high differentiation capacity, possess immunomodulatory properties, and are easily collected without raising legal or ethical concerns. WJ-MSCs exhibit several characteristics of embryonic stem cells in terms of their phenotypic and genetic aspects.
WJ-MSC possess immunoregulatory properties involved in innate and adaptive immunity. Various studies indicate that when WJ-MSC are administered to severely ill patients unresponsive to standard treatment, beneficial effects are observed even with incomplete HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) matching.
Sumber: Int J Stem Cells. 2019; 12(2): 218–226. Published online 2019 Apr 30.
PubMed Central Identifier: PMC6657936
Misunderstanding 2 Terapi Sel Punca Memiliki Risiko Kanker
There has never been a case of transplanted stem cells developing cancer, and no such possibility exists.[3]
This rumor is believed to originate from confusion with iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells). iPS cells are created through genetic manipulation, which has led to suggestions of a cancer risk.
For the difference between iPS cells and somatic stem cells used in stem cell therapy, please seeTypes of stem cells used in regenerative medicine.
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), discovered by Professor Yamanaka of Kyoto University, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 and subsequently garnered significant attention. However, their practical implementation faced substantial challenges, and subsequent research efforts encountered difficulties.
It was the challenge of "iPS cells developing cancer."[4]
The cause is clear: during the generation of iPS cells, genes undergo recombination, and one of the recombined genes is an oncogene.
Subsequently, it was reported that they successfully created iPS cells without introducing cancer genes, but its realization is still a difficult path.
We hope the research will continue and be beneficial for many people.
In treatment using mesenchymal stem cells, no such risks have been reported.
Misunderstanding 3 Stem Cell Therapy Hindered by Pharmaceutical Interest Pressures
Sometimes, stem cell therapy is considered to be at odds with traditional medical treatments and medications.
However, the advancement of modern medical treatment is supported by improved sanitation and the development of medical treatment methods.
Pharmaceuticals play a role in supplementing diminished cellular function and are crucial as part of appropriate treatment. Therefore, even if stem cell therapy becomes widespread, in some cases it is preferable to utilize stem cell therapy in conjunction with appropriate pharmacotherapy.
Conversely, overmedication may lead to adverse effects, and in such instances, consideration may be given to the mitigation of these effects or a reduction in dosage via stem cell therapy.
Stem cell therapy does not supersede existing medical treatments but rather seeks to maintain patient health while fostering a complementary relationship with conventional care.
In conclusion
Verification of claims regarding risks associated with allogeneic stem cells indicates that the vast majority are not scientifically substantiated by current medical research.
It is a fact that accurate information regarding stem cell therapy has not been fully disseminated, leading to widespread misconceptions about its safety. While these misconceptions are not always attributable to malicious intent, they are considered a consequence of the insufficient sharing of accurate knowledge.
At 23Century, we strive to provide information based on the latest scientific evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy, and to ensure our patients receive accurate knowledge.
No serious adverse events were observed, including fever, chills, hepatic dysfunction, and immune rejection reactions, following the infusion of WJ-MSC (Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells).
Sumber: Long-term effects and safety of Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in type 2 diabetes
Most stem cells express low levels of Class I MHC antigens and lack Class II antigens, classifying them as immune-privileged cells. Consequently, they are considered not to induce immune conflict between the host and transplanted cells.
Sumber: The Importance of HLA Assessment in Allogeneic "Off-the-Shelf" Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy
Regarding safety, no significant association was observed between MSC therapy and the incidence or progression of cancer or infection.
Sumber: Clinical Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Regenerative Therapy: A Narrative Review
Safety concerns primarily involve the potential for tumor formation. This is a major obstacle that delays the clinical application of human iPS cells. Previous research has demonstrated that the tumorigenicity of iPS cells (their cancer-forming potential) is associated with the expression of the C-MYC oncogene (a cancer gene).