LUPUS (SLE) Treatment
With stem cell therapy, the progression of LUPUS disease can be slowed down and regressed, and even stopped completely. The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient's age, the duration of the disease and the patient's condition.
- The treatment of LUPUS disease with stem cells is recognized as a new method that scientists are working on.
- Stem cells have the ability to turn into the cells of damaged organs when they touch the damaged organs, and that being the case, they are used in the treatment of Lupus disease.
- The number of cells to be administered is determined according to the age and weight of the patient. Treatment is carried out using mesenchymal stem cells (derived from the patient's own adipose tissue or bone marrow) or fetal stem cells.
- The treatment of the patient is decided according to the condition of the patient. It can be performed in 3 sessions 45 days apart or in 3 consecutive days. They are administered intravenously (by vascular access).
- The treatment protocol is precisely adjusted according to the patient's condition and a different protocol may be applied for each patient.
- The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient's age and the duration of the disease. If the disease has severely progressed, stem cell therapy may need to be repeated more than once. 99% success was achieved in the regression, cessation or complete treatment of the disease. However, 60% of the patients had to repeat the treatment within one year.
What is Lupus Disease?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease. It results from a defective immune system and although it affects all organs, it is mostly observed within the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells and nervous system.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory chronic disease. It is characterized by exacerbations and regressions. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. It requires regular monitoring. Although its exact cause is unknown, its genetic and environmental effects have been identified. Sensitivity to sun is one of its known symptoms.
It is 9 times more common in women than men and mostly affects fertile women between 15 and 45. SLE may be seen in earlier and later ages, though rarely and it is thought that hormonal factors play a role in the development of SLE. Lupus patients should be alert about the risk of infection and coronary heart disease and protect themselves from the sun.
As with many diseases, it is known that various environmental factors such as sunlight, viruses, chemicals, foods and medicines also play a triggering role in individuals with genetic predisposition.
What are the symptoms of LUPUS?
- SLE is a disease with exacerbation and allayment periods. Red rashes in the skin, which become prominent with hypersensitivity to the sun, may occur. This rash, which resembles a butterfly shape on the face, and rashes that can leave marks on other parts of the body can also be seen.
- Symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and weight loss at the onset and active course of the disease, which are not specific to a certain disease and common in the course of many systemic diseases, may occur.
- In some patients, whitening-bruising on the fingertips may be detected. Apart from common muscular pain, patients may experience joint pain and joint swelling, which does not cause permanent damage to the joint.
- An important organ system that is the target of the disease is the kidneys and approximately half of the patients can be affected. In some patients, edema may develop in the legs associated with protein loss. Early recognition and treatment of the disease is important. Otherwise, some patients may develop renal failure and require dialysis.
- The disease may cause inflammation between the membranes surrounding the heart as well as indications in the form of lateral pain, which increases with breathing or coughing. Patients may develop inflammation in the layers of the heart as well as valve involvements.
- If the central nervous system is affected, patients may present with headache, convulsions in the form of seizures, and sometimes psychosis due to the symptoms of the disease or the high-dose cortisone treatment administered.
- SLE can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The weakness of the hands and feet and the loss of function in some patients are among the examples of peripheral nervous involvement findings of the disease.
- Vasculitis (inflammation of the vein wall) may accompany SLE with an active course, and many organs can be affected due to this condition. The functions of organs affected by vasculitis may be impaired. Approximately 10% of patients may also develop obstructions in veins due to clotting.
Causes of LUPUS
The main cause of this disease or factors causing this disease is not precisely known yet. In Latin, lupus means "wolf." SLE, a type of lupus disease, stands for "Systemic lupus erythematosus." Genetically susceptible individuals and environmental factors play a role in the onset and progression of SLE.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) or diffuse lupus rash is a disease that is associated with a variety of symptoms related to inflammation of many tissues and organs, such as skin, joints, kidneys, heart membranes, lung membranes, and has a different course, resulting from impaired functioning of immune system.
LUPUS Disease Treatment
There is no definite treatment for lupus disease. Treatment is applied to stop the progression of the disease, prevent vital complications and relieve symptoms, and early diagnosis is crucial because it is not possible to reverse advanced disease.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are used for inflammations in many organs and tissues of the body. Immunosuppressive steroid drugs and blood thinners such as aspirin for patients with a tendency to clot blood are also preferred.
Treatment of LUPUS with Stem Cells
Since this disease is caused by a genetic disorder, the patient can be administered with genetically intact stem cells usually obtained from fetus. If it is ensured that the stem cells obtained from the patient are not affected by the disease, the patient's own stem cells can also be used. Stem cells have the ability to turn into the cells of damaged organs when they touch the damaged organs, and that being the case, they are used in the treatment of Lupus disease.
It also treats damaged nerves and muscles in a similar manner. In this way, they may slow the progression of the disease, completely stop it or make it regress. If the disease has severely progressed, treatment may need to be applied more than once. The success rate of the treatment is proportional to the patient's age, the duration of the disease and the patient's condition.
This treatment can be administered at our GenCell Stem Cell Treatment Center in Kiev, Ukraine.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is most likely to have LUPUS?
The disease, which is most commonly seen between the ages of 15-45, is not contagious and is mostly seen in women. The percentage of pediatric patients is very low. Some drugs are also thought to exacerbate or cause the occurrence of the disease. Ultraviolet-A and B rays, birth control pills, estrogen hormones, pregnancy and environmental conditions can also trigger the disease.
What are the types of LUPUS?
Lupus can occur in 6 different types:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
It accounts for 70 percent of lupus cases. The most common type is SLE.
Chronic Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus:
It makes up approximately 10 percent of lupus cases. They are often lesions in the form of prominent plaques on the face and scalp, and on the arms and trunk.
Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus:
It is limited to the skin, but over time 30-50 percent of the cases transform into SLE. Skin rashes and psoriasis-like lesions occur in many parts of the body in this disease.
Drug Related Lupus:
It is a condition that develops due to various drugs and chemicals and is usually cured with discontinuation of the drug or short-term treatment.
Neonatal Lupus:
It is a type that develops in the baby of the pregnant patient with SLE and usually resolves within the first 6-8 months.
Overlap Syndromes:
In this condition, Lupus symptoms coexist with other diseases.
Is LUPUS a Genetic (Hereditary) disease?
SLE can be hereditary. Children may inherit certain unknown genetic factors that make them predisposed to the development of SLE.
How is LUPUS diagnosed?
The diagnosis of SLE must be made by a physician specializing in this disease. Diagnosis is made as a result of the evaluation of the symptoms of the disease and blood or tissue findings.
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES:
- Jayne, D., & Tyndall, A. (2004). Autologous stem cell transplantation for systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus, 13(5), 359-365.
- Traynor, A. E., Schroeder, J., Rosa, R. M., Cheng, D., Stefka, J., Mujais, S., ... & Burt, R. K. (2000). Treatment of severe systemic lupus erythematosus with high-dose chemotherapy and haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation: a phase I study. The Lancet, 356(9231), 701-707.
- Sun, L., Wang, D., Liang, J., Zhang, H., Feng, X., Wang, H., ... & Xu, W. (2010). Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in severe and refractory systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 62(8), 2467-2475.