Stem Cell Pulmonary Treatment

The World Health Organization reports that 12.2 percent of the world’s people die from respiratory and lung diseases. Many more are partially or totally disabled. Most therapies merely manage pulmonary diseases, since there are few cures. But stem cell therapy holds promise to regenerate damaged lung and airway tissues. Ongoing studies around the world involve stem cells both from the patient himself (endogenous) and from donors (exogenous).

Types of Disorders

• Some pulmonary-distressed patients need to have oxygen with them at all times.

  There are three main lung disorders. (1) Disorders of the airway tubes interfere with oxygen getting into the lungs and gases getting out. The passages become too narrow, and the person finds it harder and harder to breathe. These disorders include asthma, TB and chronic bronchitis. (2) Disorders of the lung tissue resulting from scarring, inflammation and hardening. The lungs cannot efficiently absorb oxygen or expel gases. There are several hundred labeled conditions, among them pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis and emphysema. (3) Pulmonary circulation diseases affect the blood vessels and sometimes the heart. Pulmonary hypertension is the most debilitating disorder in this category.

Pulmonary Hypertension

• Until recently, pulmonary hypertension was irreversible, with the condition gradually worsening and the patient left with a short time to live. The May 22, 2009, issue of Medical News Today ran an article on the work of Dr. Zannos Grekos, a featured speaker at the at the 17th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine and Regenerative Biotechnologies. He reported the one-year follow-up results for a pulmonary hypertension patient who was barely functional and had been given a prognosis of three years to live by Mayo Clinic doctors. Shortly after treatment, he improved rapidly. A year later, his exams showed normal pulmonary blood pressure and he was living an active life. Grekos stated: "Using advanced engineered stem cell technology and innovative delivery methods, we've been able to harness the regenerative power of stem cells and literally replace the damaged blood vessels in the lungs of the pulmonary hypertension patients."

Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Several studies support using mesenchymal stem cells (those that can differentiate into other varieties) for treatment of lung disorders. These cells when optimized can inhibit fibrosis, differentiate into various lung cells and produce regeneration of specific tissue. This is promising therapy, because so many lung disorders can be cured only with organ transplants, and organs are very limited. Studies have been on animal models, and there is still much research to be done before proceeding to human subjects.

Tuberculosis

• A research team at the Research Institute of Pulmonology and Tuberculosis in Belarus is trying to find a treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Globally, this type of TB has a high mortality rate, and treatment for it is expensive and ineffective. Initial indications of this and other studies hold promise for a non-drug therapy or one that will increase the effectiveness of other therapies.

Children’s Lung Diseases

• Lung disorders are particularly tough on children.

  In the Children’s Hospital of Boston, the Division of Newborn Medicine is researching the use of bone marrow stem cells in treating babies born with pulmonary problems. Dr. Stella Kourembanas stated this procedure may lead to finding therapies “to heal the fragile, underdeveloped lungs of premature babies.” Her experiments using mouse models showed the treatment reduced inflammation that often leads to chronic lung disease.

Cautions

• The above and other studies show that stem cells can regenerate damaged lung tissue. The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis warns that there are “good” and “bad” stem cells, the latter possibly contributing to increased fibrosis. Using stem or progenitor cells in lung disease is still in the experimental stage. Much research remains to be done before full human trials can begin.