FAQ
How long will it take to know the effect?
Is it necessary to restrict diet before blood collection?
Where are there stem cells?
About serum-free medium (HELENE Medium)
In 2018, we presented the results of our self-made animal serum-free medium (HELENE Medium) at the Cambridge International Stem Cell Symposium. The first point is that more cells can be cultured with HELENE Medium than with other commercially available media in the same period of time. The second point is that the size of the mesenchymal stem cells cultured with HELENE Medium is the smallest. The academic evidence suggests that the smaller the stem cells are, the more unlikely they are to differentiate into fibroblasts. The above two points together confirm that the fat tissue taken from behind the ear does contain MSCs. The amount of fat collected is relatively low compared to that of the thigh or stomach, but with our own laboratory technology and HELENE Medium, it is possible to culture up to 2.25 billion MSCs in one month.
Can people even in the elderly take stem cell therapy?
Since stem cells derived from subcutaneous skin fat are collected, cultured and administered, it is possible to increase stem cells and return much to the body, so it is certain that stem cell therapy performed after age has a certain effect on body activation. Also, diseases that arise from the weakening of the organization with age will increase. We are informing stem cell therapy for anti-aging purposes.
If I get cancer, can I take stem cell therapy?
The effect of curing cancer is not in stem cell therapy. However, you can take stem cell therapy to compensate for weakened parts by cancer tissue and cancer treatment. It can be expected to increase the body’s ability to activate and fight residual cancer.
I heard that stem cells might become cancer, but what do you think?
From the three research groups that had announced that stem cell culture might become cancer, papers have been published that later “stem cells do not become cancerous even if they are cultured”.
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/329/5995/1004.short In addition, we have received certification from a third-party research institution that the cells cultured at our hospital do not become cancerous.
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What is the homing effect?
Homing is the effect of moving to a remote location that requires a certain physiological phenomenon. The effect of stem cells released into the body that finds places that require automatic regeneration is called “homing effect”. Stem cells administered intravenously enter peripheral blood circulation system → Reach lesion through lymphatic / peripheral blood → Adhere to vascular endothelium, invade tissue → Proliferate and differentiate into target cells
If I take stem cell therapy, can I hear a detailed explanation?
We will explain in detail. The important thing in taking stem cell therapy is to receive the doctor’s explanation properly, ask questions if there is something you do not understand, understand well, and do so after consent.
How long will it take for cultured stem cell therapy? Does treatment hurt?
To take cultured stem cell therapy, collect blood, take skin tissue, extract only the stem cells present in it and cultivate. It takes about one month for the culture, after which it will be able to administer stem cells. In case of intravenous drip, slowly administered for about 40 to 60 minutes. Since skin extraction can be done by local anesthesia, please consider it as treatment similar to a dentist. The skin to be collected is about 5 mm and becomes familiar enough that you do not know where you took it in a month.
Are the treatments performed at the Helene Clinic nationally licensed?
Based on the Regenerative Medicine Safety Assurance Act, the treatment approved by the third-party committee will be accepted as a treatment plan by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The plans accepted by our hospital are listed below. (As of August 30, 2019)
| Stem cell injection filling therapy for bone resorption dental disease | PB3210030 | Japan Regenerative Medicine Association Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee |
| Autologous adipose-derived stem cells/stem cell exosome administration therapy for immunosenescence | PB3200016 | Japan Regenerative Medicine Association Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee |
| Administration of autologous adipose-derived stem cells for arteriosclerosis | PB3190090 | Japan Regenerative Medicine Association Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee |
| Treatment with autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for osteoarthritis | PB3210007 | Japan Regenerative Medicine Association Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee |
| Cultivation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from autologous skin and subcutaneous tissue and subcutaneous administration to the face | PB3180053 | Organization for Advancement of Medical Sciences, Specified Non-Profit Organization Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee Nagoya |
| Cultivation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from autologous skin and subcutaneous tissue and external administration to the face | PB3180055 | Organization for Advancement of Medical Sciences, Specified Non-Profit Organization Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee Nagoya |
| Scalp injection therapy of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for hair loss | PB3180125 | Organization for Advancement of Medical Sciences, Specified Non-Profit Organization Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee Nagoya |
| Intravenous administration of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (containing MSC exosomes) for type 2 diabetes | PB3220010 | Japan Regenerative Medicine Association Specially Certified Regenerative Medicine Committee |
After surgery, how should I care?
After treatment, you can go home soon, scratches are small, and you can shower from that day, so you can usually continue your daily life. In our group we care about wounds worry and pain, and follow up with phone calls etc.
Are there any serious complications?
There have been reports of death from pulmonary embolism after stem cell administration in Japan (causality unknown), and blindness after intraorbital administration in the United States. Cell therapy generally has an inherent risk of pulmonary embolism, so at our hospital, we pay careful attention to safety, including cell quality control and administration methods. To date, no serious complications have been reported in our hospital.
