Is stem cell treatment an option for COPD?

Welcome to Connect, @outback53. I moved your message to the Lung Health group.
Stem cell therapy (regenerative medicine) has the potential to provide innovative new therapies for people with lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This therapy is currently under study. You can read more about the research being done at Mayo Clinic here: http://mayocl.in/2ieWfYH
End stage COPD is treated today with medications or lung transplants.

I'd also like to introduce you to other Connect members who are talking about COPD. Please meet @nelisabeth @medpup1 @sandyt @hosta @4bunny @reneeg @cindidugas @miarosa.

Outback, how are you currently managing your COPD?

I’m reanimating this discussion about stem cell therapy for lung conditions.

It can be really difficult to tell which stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine practices are effective and which institutions are offering evidence-based proven therapies. In fact, recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a stern warning against unproven stem cell therapies. The FDA issued these two press statements: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573427.htm and https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573431.htm.

To help people learn more about the proven therapies and the promise of developing therapies, Mayo Clinic offers a free telephone consult service. When you call the consult service, they will tell you about the availability of approved stem cell therapy at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, and for what conditions. They can also tell you about research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Furthermore, you can add your name to a database to be notified when additional studies and information become available. You can learn more about the Consult Service here http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/patient-care/clinical-services/regenerative-medicine-consult-service.
Or call 1-844-276-2003 to speak with one of our experts.

I have stage 3 COPD and have heard Stem Cell treatments work for this. Has anyone tried this and what were the results. The Lung institute said they have 86% improvement rate with treatment, but it costs $12,000 for the treatment

P

I'm not aware of any medical facility that does stem cell. To my knowledge it is still being researched and not approved. The places that are doing it have not had proven results for any length of time and are true "for profit" center's.

The lung institute just wants your money.They're a bunch of crooks. The research is ongoing but it isn't there yet.

Hi all,
One of Mayo Clinic's focus areas of Regenerative Medicine (stem cell research) is in Lung Regeneration. Learn more here: http://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/focus-areas/lung-regeneration

It can be really difficult to tell which stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine practices are effective and which institutions are offering evidence-based proven therapies. In fact, recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a stern warning against unproven stem cell therapies. The FDA issued these two press statements: https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573427.htm and https://www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm573431.htm.

@oldman1946, I agree with @kpeace. It's important to do your research to ensure that the promised therapy is evidence-based and not just a money grab.

P, This past February I had treatment with stem cells from a stem cell bank in Baltimore, MD. the cost was just under $9,000. I don't know if my condition has improved or not as I have no reference to what my condition would have been had I not had this therapy. I go to my pulmonologist later this month and have some testing done to see how much my condition has changed in the past 6 months or so. I doubt this will help you much but I did want to chime in and let you know that you are not alone fighting this condition.
If you want to stay in touch we can do that in format.
Earle

Robinson....any word on whether the stem cell treatment improved your condition? It is May 8/18 today so you must have some feedback by now. Thanks.

I do not have any evidence of improvement. Would I be in poorer shape without the procedure? I don't know. After I see the doc later this month maybe I'll have an idea if there has been improvement or not. I do get short of breath without much activity so from that standpoint I don't see much relief. I am approaching my 80th birthday so I guess I should expect to see some difference in my endurance as compared to a few years ago. I am happy to be active and able to care for the yard and work everyday at our greenhouse business. PTL

I have been trying to find some actual people who have tried any of the Stem Cell treatments being offered. Especially interested in the Cellular Therapy being offered at many clinics in the USA. Not knowing who or what to believe is very difficult. I have also heard that Aloe Vera is an effective treatment that can help immensely I don't know how much of this is true either. I am on oxygen therapy 24/7 and my nose runs so much that I am desperate. I have tried Saline Solution, Sesame seed oil, Aloe Vera from the plant inside my nose. I have a humidity container on my oxygen consentrator and also a humidifier in my bedroom. I have been trying to take off the oxygen for an hour or so every few hours but my oxygen gets low and I go into A-fib. Nothing has worked to stop my runny nose. It truly makes me want to just give up. I am also in remission for stage 3B lung cancer since August 2018.