Stem cells for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Posted by jelrog @jelrog, Feb 13, 2017

Has anyone heard about stem cell implants for pulmonary fibrosis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Health Support Group.

Welcome to Connect, @jelrog.
At Mayo Clinic, research is leading the development of new regenerative therapies (stem cell therapies) for people with a wide range of lung diseases. Regenerative medicine has the potential to provide innovative new therapies for people with lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension and bronchiolitis obliterans. You can read more about it here: http://mayocl.in/2ieWfYH

I'm tagging @mike0m @pd02 and @powderpuf as they too were looking into stem cell therapy and pulmonary fibrosis.
Jelrog, how are you currently managing IPF?

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Yes I have been considering it.
Lunginstitute.com
I thing its pretty expensive and not covered by medical insurance though.
They use your own stem cells from either blood or your fat.

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@colleenyoung

Welcome to Connect, @jelrog.
At Mayo Clinic, research is leading the development of new regenerative therapies (stem cell therapies) for people with a wide range of lung diseases. Regenerative medicine has the potential to provide innovative new therapies for people with lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension and bronchiolitis obliterans. You can read more about it here: http://mayocl.in/2ieWfYH

I'm tagging @mike0m @pd02 and @powderpuf as they too were looking into stem cell therapy and pulmonary fibrosis.
Jelrog, how are you currently managing IPF?

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This is for my husband. He has a family medicine doctor; an Allergy and Immunology doctor; a Rheumatology doctor; an Oncology & hematology doctor; and a Pulmomology doctor. These are his medications:

20 mcg Forteo injected daily
IVIG infusion every 28 days
200 mcg Breo daily
75 mg high blood pressure medicine daily
3 liters oxygen continually
nasal sprays

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My pulmonologist said, while stem cells work for some diseases, it doesn' work for lung disease. You will be given your blood stem cells and spend lots of money, time and effort and it will not help you! A complete sham!

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@tula

My pulmonologist said, while stem cells work for some diseases, it doesn' work for lung disease. You will be given your blood stem cells and spend lots of money, time and effort and it will not help you! A complete sham!

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My husband's pulmonologist said the very same thing. He actually went and checked one out. He said it is also very difficult for older people to get lung transplants in the U.S.

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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.

As @tula said, it is early days for lung conditions and stem cell therapy. Do you due diligence before getting treatment.

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I'd also like to direct you to the new Chest Surgery Page on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/chest-surgery/

The thoracic team has written several blogs on regenerative medicine and lung conditions:
- Renaissance in Medicine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/renaissance-in-medicine-1/
- Lung Regeneration https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/lung-regeneration-2/
- Regenerative Medicine Offering New Treatment for Bronchopleural Fistulas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/regenerative-medicine-offering-new-treatment-for-bronchopleural-fistulas-1/

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@colleenyoung

I'd also like to direct you to the new Chest Surgery Page on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/chest-surgery/

The thoracic team has written several blogs on regenerative medicine and lung conditions:
- Renaissance in Medicine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/renaissance-in-medicine-1/
- Lung Regeneration https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/lung-regeneration-2/
- Regenerative Medicine Offering New Treatment for Bronchopleural Fistulas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/regenerative-medicine-offering-new-treatment-for-bronchopleural-fistulas-1/

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colleen,was just reading about stem cell treatments,vwas also contacted and watched a presentation on stem cell treatments.Right now home from hospital ,forth time this year,starting to get a bit worried,especially for my wife.Am now considered end stage copd and lost my chance for transplant when they found lung cancer 3 years ago.Curious,does stem cell have a wait time after remission like a transplant.I didnt really seem to be that sure stem cells good.

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@colleenyoung

I'd also like to direct you to the new Chest Surgery Page on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/chest-surgery/

The thoracic team has written several blogs on regenerative medicine and lung conditions:
- Renaissance in Medicine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/renaissance-in-medicine-1/
- Lung Regeneration https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/lung-regeneration-2/
- Regenerative Medicine Offering New Treatment for Bronchopleural Fistulas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/regenerative-medicine-offering-new-treatment-for-bronchopleural-fistulas-1/

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I'm considering stem cell therapy for treating IPF. Does anyone out there have any experience with this treatment? Does Mayo Clinic do this therapy using your own blood or fat tissue as promoted by the Lung Institute? Many testimonials make this treatment sound valid and helpful. Looking for information and other places that have done this treatment.

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@colleenyoung

I'd also like to direct you to the new Chest Surgery Page on Connect: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/chest-surgery/

The thoracic team has written several blogs on regenerative medicine and lung conditions:
- Renaissance in Medicine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/renaissance-in-medicine-1/
- Lung Regeneration https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/lung-regeneration-2/
- Regenerative Medicine Offering New Treatment for Bronchopleural Fistulas https://connect.mayoclinic.org/newsfeed-post/regenerative-medicine-offering-new-treatment-for-bronchopleural-fistulas-1/

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@robinson You need to go on to the Mayo site and watch a video or ten of their Grand Rounds series about Autologous Stem Cell treatment. Or many other matters, as well. They are a great source of info. Just put Autologous Stem Cell in the search blank space, or Grand Rounds Videos, or even Martha Grogan. She does many of the videos.

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