What is COPD?
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, refers to a group of lung diseases characterized by airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPDs are caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage your lungs and airways. As in the case of emphysema and chronic bronchitis—two of the most common COPDs—the culprit is usually a smoking habit.

Structural damage and chronic inflammation both contribute to the airway obstruction found in COPD. Over time, inhaled irritants can damage the components of the respiratory system; furthermore, they can also cause the airways to become inflamed and narrowed.

To date, COPD remains incurable. Fortunately, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to address both factors that contribute to the disease.

How stem cells help with COPD
Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the unique ability to become any type of cell in the body, in a process called ‘differentiation’. When supplied to a patient’s body, these cells migrate to dead or damaged tissue, where they orchestrate repair and regeneration.

When provided to COPD patients, MSCs may be able to repair and regenerate damaged lung tissue; furthermore, MSCs have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate the inflammation that exacerbates COPD. While stem cell treatment for COPD is still in the early stages of development, there is already promising research that suggests that stem cell therapy may help with the disease. Positive results have also been reported using stem cell therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF), which is likely enhanced by the antifibrotic action of stem cells.

In a report called ‘Autologous Stem Cell Therapy & its Effects on COPD’, researchers at the Lung Health Institute found that over 82% of patients that attempted stem cell treatment experienced noticeable improvements in quality of life.

Many patients reported increased lung capacity and the recovery of the ability to walk, following treatment. While stem cell treatment remains unable to ‘cure’ COPD, it is able to repair damaged tissue and restore functionality. This attractive new treatment becomes even more desirable when you consider that current treatment protocols may require the use of ventilators, or even total lung transplants, which are rare and extremely expensive.

*Typical Treatment Protocol
A typical protocol consists of intravenous transplant of 100+ million cord tissue-derived MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells). The procedure takes approximately 45 minutes. The protocol is minimally invasive to the patient and has very little downtime. In some cases, the treatment may be accompanied by nebulization of MSCs so that they are delivered directly into the lungs. Patients normally travel home two days following their scheduled appointment.

Treatment goals
Our protocol aims to reduce the overall levels of chronic low-grade inflammation in the body. The effects are expected to last for a very long time.

Stem cells are uniquely and intrinsically able to migrate to sites of damage and inflammation in the body. Studies have shown that stem cells are able to orchestrate the repair and regeneration of deteriorated tissues, as well as modulate the immune system, to promote better health.

The benefits of stem cell therapy can include a reduction in harmful symptoms, the slowing of the progression of the disease, and an overall increase in quality of life.

*Treatment protocols are individualized for each patient according to a variety of factors, including overall patient health, condition, and severity. A protocol optimized for your particular situation will be developed in consultation with a stem cell physician and a review of your medical records.