UPDATED May 10th, 2017 – COPD, is short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  COPD is progressive illness that makes it very difficult to breathe properly. “Progressive” means that the disease gets worse with time. One of the most common symptoms with this condition is heavy coughing. Coughing produces a lot of mucus (slimy substance produced by body) causing chest tightness,wheezing and shortness of breath.

Diagnosing Lung Disease – VDO

Cigarette smoking is generally regarded as one of the main triggers for Bronchiectasis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disorders. Most people suffering from COPD are also usually smokers. Long-term exposure to large amounts of lung irritants such as air pollution, smoke, dust,chemical fumes are also big contributors to people being diagnosed with this disease. To better understand COPD, its beneficial to know about the function of the lungs and how the breathing processes take place . The air coming in through the mouth goes straight to your windpipe, then to the bronchial tubes inside the lungs. Inside your lungs, there are also many other smaller, thinner tubes that branch out from the bronchial tubes called bronchioles.(Lim et al. 2015)*

The bronchioles are directly connected as a bunch of small round air sacs called the alveoli. The tiny blood vessels known as capillaries run inside the walls of the alveoli.As soon as air goes to the alveoli, the oxygen in the air goes through the air sac wall then into the blood through the capillaries. At the same time, the carbon dioxide waste gas goes into the air sacs coming from the capillaries. This procedure is known as a gas exchange.(Antonucci et al. 2012)*

The air sacs and the airways are quite flexible or elastic by nature. Every time you breathe the air sacs fill up like a little balloons. Whenever you breathe out, the opposite happens, the alveoli then deflates and air goes out.

Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Disease Emphysema

Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that displays abnormal and permanently enlarged in the terminal bronchioles of the lungs. Emphysema and dyspnea usually occurs in patients with chronic bronchitis and obstructive pulmonary and respiratory problems. It is very rare for patients to be diagnosed with pure emphysema ( without displaying other symptoms ) unless its related to hereditary/genetic abnormalities. Most patients we treat at the Regen Lung Center have a combination of bronchitis, emphysema caused impairment of the airways. This combination of the symptoms (dyspnea) are causally referred to as COPD or COLD (chronic obstructive lung disease).

There are 3 primary type of emphysema including:

1. Centriacinar emphysema begins in the paitents respiratory bronchioles and then begins to spreads in the upper half area of the lungs. This type of emphysema is usually caused by long-term tobacco/cigarette smoking.

2. Panacinar emphysema is primarily found in the lower regions of the lungs and tends to destroy the alveolar tissue that causes wheezing. This type of lung disease is commonly found in patients displaying a deficiency with alpha-1 antitrypsin and is a genetic/heriditary disease.

3. Paraseptal emphysema is caused in and around the pleura or septae of the lungs. This type of disease is mostly associated with chronic inflammatory conditions that occur after any type of lung infection and dyspnea

Stem Cells for COPD – Lung Regeneration Therapy

With COPD, there is much less air flows in and out of the airways due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Airways and air sacs shed their elastic abilities due to an underlying medical condition

• The walls between the air sacs or the alveoli are damaged or destroyed

• The walls inside the airways become inflamed and too thick for gas exchange

• Too much mucus is produced by the airways which causes it to clog the airways

TREATMENT PRECAUTION

Please Note that this NEW COPD Treatment is bioengineering and requires Enhanced Stem Cells for Mild-Moderate cases of Emphysema and Lung failure. Cell transplants are not appropriate for all candidates. Patients with multiple underlying conditions, late stage or travel restrictions due to need for constant Oxygen tanks will not be candidates for the 2-3 week treatment protocol. Please contact us for details

Latest Treatment for COPD Lung Tissue – Repair & Restore Function

Stem cells are recognized as the building blocks of biology due to their amazing regenerative properties. These totipotent cells help with the natural development of human tissues and blood cells. In COPD Stem Cell Treatment, the destroyed lung tissues and cells causing the various types of complications are targeted for regeneration.

Using lab enhanced stem cells allows our doctors to target specific regions to stop the spread of the disease, eliminate bronchitis and reduce inflammation (in alveoli pathway ) to allow natural healing of the previously damaged cells through a function known as immunomodulation making it the best treatment for COPD. The goal of our lung stem cell treatment for copd and other lung diseases such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) bronchiectasis and Emphysema is to help create the optimal environment for angiogenesis to build new capillaries in the lungs which leads to tissue repair and significantly better lung function.(Jin et al. 2015)*

Interstitial lung disease pose a significant challenge for pulmonologists and lung bioengineering. Disease such as asthma, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, COPD,Cystic fibrosis, emphysema & hyaline membrane disease are just some of diseases that can be managed effectively via lung stem cell therapies. Due to the complexity and locations of the diseased regions it has always been very difficult to effectively deliver cell therapeutic agents. The Regeneration Center has developed a unique and effective combination delivery method to target the diseased tissue from multiple vectors (depending on the patient’s needs) including guided radiography (when necessary), Intravenous, direct injection, Intrathecally and now for the first time via Intranasal inhalation stem cell therapy for a painless and effective delivery of endogenous lung progenitor cells, Lung epithelial stem cells to both the airway and vascular system of the lungs.

Is Lung Regeneration the Best Treatment for COPD?

Lung Cell Replacement Therapy – Overview

Number of Treatment Sessions For COPD & Emphysema: 2-6 Infusions of Clinical Grade Mesenchymal Cells per Treatment (Multiple stages may be required for severe cases)

Type of Stem Cells Used – Can COPD be Cured?  Most patients with mild to moderate Pulmonary disease require a combination therapy consisting of endogenous lung epithelial cells, cord Blood cells, Amniotic Membrane derived progenitor cells and pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells needed for tracheal regeneration. For elderly patients or candidates with progressive respiratory diseases an aggressive combination protocol will be required. All our lung epithelial cells are screened and certified for strength and sterility documentation of using good cellular manufacturing processes at time of treatment. The Regen Center Lung disease treatment does not require invasive surgeries and the cells are delivered painlessly using a combination of Intranasal inhalation,Guided CT Scanners / Ultrasounds (when necessary) through an IV “Intravenous” Drip and/or Intrathecally depending on the patients needs.(Mora and Rojas 2013)*

Pulmonary Rehabilitation After Treatment (Optional): Pulmonary Rehab is available at Bumrungrad international hospital or Bangkok Hospital depending on the patient’s travel limitations and timing constraints. A dedicated lung rehabilitation specialist will be available upon request for 2-5 hours per day and up to 6 days per week.  Medical visas and accommodations for extended stay with nebulizer for the patient can also be provided upon special request.

Total Treatment Length : The COPD Lung Cell Replacement therapy is an intensive multistage course and will require an estimated 14-21 nights in Bangkok (depending on the severity/spread of the underlying disease)

MULTI-VECTOR LUNG CELL DELIVERY

Regeneration Center has developed a combination delivery method to target the diseases from multiple vectors (depending on the patients needs) including guided radiography (when necessary), Intravenous, direct injection, Intrathecally and now for the first time via Intranasal inhalation stem cell therapy for a painless and effective delivery of endogenous lung progenitor cells, Lung epithelial stem cells to both the airway and vascular system of the lungs.