Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Era Begins
In recent years, the greatest advances in the field of health sciences have occurred in cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics. In particular, in parallel with the scientific results of this cell research, there have been remarkable advances in our understanding of cells and this cells.
Normally, we have learnt that the growth of our hair, the regeneration of our skin after a cut, and the production of millions of blood cells in our bone marrow within minutes are carried out by this cells located in these tissues and organs. Later, we found that these cells not only have the power to make cells of the tissues or organs in which they are located, but can also transform into cells of other tissues and organs when placed in laboratory environments.
After this stage, scientists began using these cells to treat some diseases that cannot be fully treated today. The common feature of these diseases is that the cells in the diseased organ lose their function for some reason. They have considered using this cells that can transform into different cell types. For this reason, most research worldwide over the last 10-15 years has focused on "Regenerative Medicine".
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Period in Medical Applications
Today, developments in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases continue at a dizzying pace. Despite these developments in modern medicine, some diseases for which these latest methods cannot be effective in definitive treatment. Today, in the field of medicine, the idea of improving human health and ensuring that diseases that occur are cured more effectively and as closely as possible to the original state is accepted.
Many treatment methods, which years ago were said to be "this much is curable" and "no better than this", have changed very rapidly in the last 20 years in a mind boggling way. Therefore, nowadays, cellular therapies based on cell/stem cells, i.e., treatment protocols that regenerate diseased cells and tissues using the person's own cells or stem cells, are gaining increasing importance.
Radical Solution to Medical and Aesthetic Problems
Liv Hospital’s Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Production Centre helps solve medical and aesthetic problems by using regenerative cells taken from each patient’s own tissues. The centre works with all clinical departments to treat unhealthy or damaged cells and tissues, following legal and scientific guidelines for cellular treatments.
Patient Health is Prioritised
Liv Hospital was a pioneer in the this cell field by opening its Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Production Centre. At this centre, all ethical standards are followed, and patient health and interests always come first.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine involves creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissues or organs that no longer work because of age, illness, injury, or birth defects.
There are two main ways regenerative medicine can be successful:
- Stimulating organs or tissues that could not heal before, so they can repair themselves.
- If the body cannot heal on its own, transplanting tissues or cells that have been prepared outside the body.
- If the body cannot heal on its own, transplanting tissues or cells that have been prepared outside the body.
This wide field covers many research areas, such as biomaterial engineering, growth factor transfer, transplantation science, and cell therapy. In regenerative medicine, living cells are used both to replace damaged cells and to help keep organs and tissues healthy.
How Common is Stem Cell Therapy?
Cell therapies have become widespread worldwide in recent years. However, such therapies can only be applied with cellular products produced in licensed and certified centres.
How Long Can the Stem Cells Produced Remain Viable?
Cell survival time varies with production conditions. Based on the patient's clinical evaluation, the cells can be frozen and stored, and cell therapy can be repeated when necessary.
What are the Age Limits of Stem Cell Therapy?
Cell therapies are evaluated based on the patient's age, disease, and clinical conditions. It is necessary to evaluate all factors together.
How Long Does It Take to Produce Stem Cells?
The production time varies depending on the tissue from which the stem cells are obtained and the processing method. The process of separating stem cells from a biopsy sample, culturing them, and reproducing them in the number required for transplantation can take 3-4 weeks.
What is a stem cell?
Cells that can transform into different cell types and renew themselves are called "stem cells". Unlike muscle or nerve cells, which normally cannot reproduce themselves, stem cells can divide and multiply in large numbers. Compared with liver and kidney cells, which can multiply only a limited number of times, stem cells can multiply for months under laboratory conditions.
Stem cells have two important features that differ from the cells of our organs, such as the liver, intestine, and skin; first, these cells can divide for long periods to renew themselves, and millions of cells can emerge from a single stem cell. However, the dividing capacity of the cells of our organs mentioned above is much more limited.
Second, a stem cell cannot do the jobs of specialized cells, like pumping blood with other heart muscle cells, carrying oxygen like red blood cells, or sending signals like nerve cells. However, unspecialized stem cells can become these specialized cells, such as heart muscle cells, blood cells, or nerve cells.
Who Can Receive Stem Cell Therapy?
Patients of appropriate age and physical condition with a condition suitable for stem cell therapy can benefit.
Where Are Stem Cells Obtained?
Although stem cells can theoretically be obtained from all body tissues and organs, the most commonly used sources for therapeutic stem cell applications today are bone marrow, umbilical cord, joint fluid or membrane, and umbilical adipose tissue.
How Are Stem Cells Produced in a Laboratory Environment?
Stem cells are produced in the laboratory using a biopsy sample taken from the patient's own tissue (autologous). From this biopsy sample, the relevant cells are first isolated and cultured under appropriate conditions, with continuous feeding and detailed controls.
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Applications
1) Orthopedics and Traumatology
Biological/ Stem Cell Therapies in Orthopaedics
- Cartilage problems
- Tendon injuries and tendinitis/tendinosis problems
- Cartilage problems
- Tendon injuries and tendinitis/tendinosis problems
- Applications in joint degeneration
- Applications in spinal problems
- Especially soft tissue problems in sports injuries
Cartilage and Degenerative Joint Diseases
Stem cell treatments are advancing quickly in orthopedics, especially for cartilage issues. Using cells taken from a person's own tissue, doctors can now help new cartilage grow even in areas where there was almost none before. This makes it possible to restore both the structure and function of joints.
Losing tissue in our bones or cartilage can affect how well our joints move. At Liv Hospital Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Production Centre, there are several ways to replace these tissues. For cartilage loss, doctors can use advanced technology in GMP labs to grow new cartilage or apply stem cell treatments, which are then implanted in patients.
2) Eye Diseases
In our daily life, our cells and tissues are renewed even if we are not aware of it. This renewal is facilitated by stem cells. Stem cells are necessary for the regeneration of tissues and replacement of lost cells in eye tissues as in all body tissues. This renewal, which continues in our daily lives, can lead to serious conditions affecting eye health and vision, including diseases that cause stem cell deficiency.
Stem cell damage occurs in diseases of genetic origin that cause stem cell deficiency in the cornea (transparent layer) of the eye, as well as due to inappropriate contact lens use, radiotherapy, immunosuppressive treatments, various immunological eye diseases, chemical burns, some eye infections, and severe eye allergies. Stem cell implantation is a treatment method for these diseases.
Used in the Treatment of Eye Surface Diseases
Stem cells, grown and transplanted in a laboratory environment, restore the corneal surface and restore visual function. Today, limbal cell transplantation is used to treat ocular surface diseases, while studies are ongoing to evaluate its use in the treatment of congenital or age related retinal diseases.
Positive results are reported in animal studies. However, there are no controlled clinical trials on humans reporting successful results yet. However, this method is expected to be implemented in clinical practice in the near future.
3) Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery
In plastic reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, stem cell treatments fall into two main categories. The first is aesthetic use. Stem cells show strong potential for skin rejuvenation. For example, fat injections enriched with stem cells are often more effective at reducing signs of aging on the face and hands.
The use of one's own tissues removes the patient from the risk of allergies and many similar side effects. Permanent effects cannot be achieved with fillers and similar substances. However, when compared with the person's own tissues, both in terms of permanence and quantity, it has the potential to achieve much more effective results.
Renews the Aging Area
Regenerative cells taken from the patient can help renew aging skin. This treatment has three steps. First, fat tissue is collected from the patient through a biopsy or liposuction. Next, the regenerative cells are separated and concentrated. Finally, these cells are injected into the needed areas, either by themselves or mixed with natural substances.
Hope for Unhealed Wounds
The second main use in plastic and aesthetic surgery is for conditions where the skin or tissue is damaged, such as wounds that do not heal, poor blood supply, or after radiotherapy. In these challenging cases, stem cell treatments have become a hopeful option and sometimes a last resort.
Regenerative cells taken from the patient can also be used in cosmetic treatments. These cells help refresh and renew aging skin.
The process of this treatment takes place in 3 stages:
a) Fat tissues are taken from the person by biopsy or the liposuction method.
b) The regenerating cells obtained from these tissues are refined and concentrated through various processes.
c) Regenerating cells are injected into the appropriate areas according to the patient's needs, either alone or using natural cocktails.
Face and Body Filling (Anti aging)
When fillers are made from non natural products like implants, the body can absorb up to 70% of the material. Fillers that use regenerating cells from your own body reduce this problem and help you achieve a more lasting, natural-looking result. As a result, a single injection with regenerating cells is often enough, instead of needing repeated procedures.
Treatment of Scars and Scars on the Skin
Regenerating cells taken from your own body can be used to treat wounds and scars on the face and body. This approach has a low risk of allergic reactions. After treatment, the affected area can regain its natural look.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. When treatment involves removing the breast and nearby tissue, breast reconstruction can now be done using regenerating cells.
Burn Treatments
Severe burns, especially third degree burns, are among the most difficult cases in plastic surgery. At Liv Hospital Regenerative and this Cell Production and Application Centre, regenerative cell treatments are used to replace damaged burn tissue and help patients regain a healthy appearance.
4) Dermatology
Skin Renewal, Skin Rejuvenation
This cells are also used to treat problems such as wrinkles, pigmentation issues, and dull skin colour that occur with age. The aim of the treatment is to repair tissue damaged by age and make it look younger. For this purpose, a 3mm punch biopsy is taken from an area that does not receive sunlight, such as behind the patient's ear, and the patient's younger fibroblasts are cultured in a specialized environment. Injections are given in 3-4 sessions, with 15-30 day intervals. The injection method is applied with the classical mesotherapy technique. No side effects of the application have been reported.
Acne Scars
Acne scars are a big problem for many women. There are a few studies with autologous fibroblast injections in acne scars. Fibroblasts obtained by a similar method are used in dermal injections. Treatment can be performed in combination with applications such as laser and dermaroller.
5) Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases
Diabetic Foot Wounds
Diabetic foot wounds seen in 25 per cent of diabetic patients may result in finger or foot amputation in 8 per cent. In wound treatment, the regenerative cells applied to the surgical site make diabetic foot wound treatment possible.
6) Cardiovascular Surgery
Ischaemic Limb Problems
Regenerative cells obtained from the person themselves can treat many diseases, as well as vascular occlusions. In this disease, medical treatments such as medication, ozone, or high pressure treatments are applied. In surgical intervention, amputation (cutting the area with vascular occlusion) or sympathectomy (cutting the sympathetic nerves) can be applied as a last resort. However, regenerative cell applications are emerging as a new and effective approach to closing wounds and restoring circulation.
New Hopes
1) Urology
Tissue or organ loss due to chronic diseases is one of the most important areas where medicine struggles to provide effective treatment. Over the last 10-15 years, successful results in experimental animals have popularised the use of stem cells for the treatment of chronic diseases in humans. Preliminary stem cell studies in experimental animals in urology raise hopes for human applications.
The most important feature of stem cell therapy is that stem cells can transform into the desired cells in the target tissue to which they are transferred. In addition, they can stimulate the production of certain substances that regenerate dysfunctional cells in the tissues and organs to which they are transferred, thereby repairing the tissue or organ.
First Application in Urinary Incontinence Disorders
In the field of urology, successful results have been obtained in experimental animals using stem cells for diseases such as kidney disease, urinary bladder disorders, urinary incontinence, infertility, erectile dysfunction, and acquired penile curvature. Among these disorders, the first application area in urological diseases in humans has been urinary incontinence, and very successful results have begun to be obtained.
Stem cell applications in humans are expected to gain momentum in the treatment of male infertility, erectile dysfunction, and penile curvature. As the Liv Urology Team, we are rapidly completing our preparations with the Liv Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department to realise our preliminary results, which we have obtained in experimental animal studies, especially in the field of erectile dysfunction, and have shared with the world literature. In a short time, we will be performing our clinical applications in parallel with those in developed countries.
2) Cardiology
Cardiovascular diseases and related heart attacks, which are among the most common diseases in society, significantly impair the quality of life of patients. Stem cell transplantation is now used in the treatment of heart failure that develops after a heart attack. When a coronary artery is blocked, the heart cells it feeds start to die within 20-30 minutes. If the vessel is not opened, most of the cells die within 6 hours. There is scientific evidence that bone marrow stem cells can reverse this process.
Bone Marrow Repairs the Heart
When heart muscle cells die from a heart attack, they are not replaced. In the early 2000s, the ability of stem cells to repair diseased tissue was recognized. This opened a new era in stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy for heart disease ranked first.
The heart muscle is damaged after an infarction, leading to heart failure. Stem cell therapy is used to repair heart muscle damage and to treat severe heart failure.
In patients who have had an infarction, stem cells from the patient's bone marrow are extracted and injected into the coronary artery. This treatment can also lead to the formation of new blood vessels. Studies have shown that the damaged areas of patients' hearts completely regress within 6 months, and the heart's contractile function improves.
Giving Your Own Cell
In stem cell transplantation into heart tissue, cells are not taken from relatives or outsiders, but from the person himself/herself. The person's own stem cells are obtained from a bone marrow sample. Therefore, there is no chance that the cells given will not be accepted.
How Is The Transplant Performed?
Similar to the angiography method, stem cell transplantation is performed non surgically through a tube that is inserted through the groin vein and advanced into the heart tissue. This procedure is performed via the heart's artery or vein, depending on the patient's condition.
Bone Marrow Repairs the Heart
When heart muscle cells die from a heart attack, they are not replaced. In the early 2000s, the ability of stem cells to repair diseased tissue was recognized. This opened a new era in stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy for heart disease ranked first. The heart muscle is damaged after an infarction, leading to heart failure. Stem cell therapy is used to repair heart muscle damage and to treat severe heart failure.
In patients who have had an infarction, stem cells from the patient's bone marrow are extracted and injected into the coronary artery. This treatment can also lead to the formation of new blood vessels. Studies have shown that the damaged areas of patients' hearts completely regress within 6 months, and the heart's beating power increases.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Repairmen of the Body
Mesenchymal stem cells are specialized cells that can differentiate into many different tissues in our bodies. For this reason, they are of great interest in regenerative medicine.
What are Mesenchymal Stem Cells?
Stem Cells: They are the basic building blocks of all tissues in our body. These cells can renew themselves and differentiate into other cell types.
Mesenchymal: It means connective tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells are stem cells derived from connective tissue and can differentiate into tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, and muscle.
Areas of Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes
- Exosome Treatment for Skin Damage: Exosomes help repair scars and preserve the elasticity and strength lost by the skin. They help cells regain properties they lose due to aging through their regenerative abilities.
- Exosome Therapy for Hair Loss: Hair loss, also known as alopecia or baldness, can occur for various reasons, such as aging, diseases, and medications. Exosomes accelerate the initial stage of hair growth, which occurs continuously. The vitality of exosomes is supported, providing growth factors that facilitate hair shaft growth in hair follicles.
- Exosome Therapy in Immune System Diseases: It supports the immune system by increasing the activation of regulatory T cells, which play an important role in the immune response.
- Graft versus host disease (GvHD) Exosome Therapy: GvHD is a possible complication of stem cell or bone marrow transplantation from another person. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes are used prophylactically (preventively) in the treatment of GvHD.
- Exosome Therapy in Ovarian Rejuvenation: One sign of ovarian aging is a decrease in the number of follicles. Ovarian reserve is basically defined by the quantity and quality of primordial follicles. Mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes are used in the treatment of diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian development, uterine diseases, and endometrial receptivity. It is known that the number of primordial follicles increases significantly and starts after exosome intervention.
- Exosome Treatment in Spinal Cord Injuries: Mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes have been shown to have effective repair effects on spinal cord injury (SCI).
- It accelerates motor function and supports neuronal regeneration, alleviating histopathological damage visible under the microscope.
- It suppresses programmed cell death in neurons and supports functional recovery.
- It promotes locomotor functional recovery by enabling displacement movements such as walking and running, and by reducing inflammation.
- It enhances functional recovery and reduces complement activation following spinal cord injury.
- It improves functional recovery and axonal regeneration.
- It repairs deformations caused by spinal cord injury.
7. Exosome Treatment in Orthopedic Diseases: Cartilage Damage and Joint Calcification: Exosomes provide regeneration of cartilage tissue. Reduce inflammation and support cartilage cell proliferation. Used in the treatment of joint diseases such as osteoarthritis and talus.
For more information about our academic and training initiatives, visit Liv Hospital Academy .
Frequently Asked Questions for Stem Cell
What are mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)?
MSCs are found in tissues like bone marrow and fat. They can differentiate into bone, cartilage, and fat cells, and may help modulate inflammation. Many clinical studies are investigating their therapeutic use.
What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)?
iPSCs are adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic like state, allowing them to develop into many cell types. They’re valuable for research, disease modeling, and potential future therapies.
How do stem cells differentiate into other cells?
Chemical signals and genes act like instructions. As signals change, certain genes turn on or off, guiding a stem cell to become a specific cell type, such as a neuron or red blood cell.
Is stem cell therapy safe?
Established therapies have defined safety protocols. For newer or clinic based offerings, safety depends on the cell source, processing, delivery method, and sterility. Potential risks include infection, immune reactions, clotting, or unintended tissue effects. Discuss specifics, evidence, and risks for your condition.
What is stem cell therapy?
“Stem cell therapy” refers to using stem cells (or their products) to treat disease or injury. Examples include blood and marrow transplants for blood disorders. Many other uses are being researched; availability and evidence vary by condition.
