What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Your immune system functions to protect your body from infection and disease by attacking and neutralizing foreign invaders. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes healthy cells in your body for invaders cells, and launches an attack against them. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one such autoimmune disease. In RA, the overactive immune system causes chronic inflammation, pain, and swelling in affected parts of the body, which eventually leads to tissue damage. RA mainly affects the joints, and usually multiple joints at once.

How stem cells help with rheumatoid arthritis
Studies have shown than mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have strong anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. MSCs naturally migrate to sites of inflammation in the body, where they suppress the out-of-control immune response. This helps bring down inflammation and alleviate the painful symptoms of RA. This anti-inflammatory effect is typically seen for years after treatment.

In addition to regulating the immune system, MSCs also orchestrate healing. In RA patients, they can help repair and regenerate the tissue that was damaged from prolonged inflammation. In this way, stem cell therapy (especially with MSCs) can be a form of “body maintenance” for patients with RA. This treatment can keep inflammation at manageable levels and help regenerate damaged tissue of the joints.

*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. 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.