Is stem cell treatment an option for COPD?

Posted by outback53 @outback53, Dec 26, 2016

Is stem cell treatment (from bone marrow) a viable option for end stage COPD.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

Thank you Colleen.
when I spoke last year to Mayo Clinic I was told there is a list for when real studies are done. How to I check How do I find out if my name is in the data base and if I was put on it ?

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@robinson

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

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Do you have any improvement since you had stem cell therapy procedure?

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@colleenyoung

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?

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With a Avair puffer

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I would like to participate in a study for Copd

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I have been approached to use fetal stem cells to cure my lung and nerve problems (COPD, Emphysema and neuropathy). Does anyone have info on this?

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@hgregory

I have been approached to use fetal stem cells to cure my lung and nerve problems (COPD, Emphysema and neuropathy). Does anyone have info on this?

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Hi @hgregory, welcome to Connect.
You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about stem cell research and lung diseases in the Lung Health group. I recommend reading through the past messages in this discussion as well as these:

– Stem Cells / Regeneration https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cells-regeneration/

Regenerative medicine for COPD is still in the research phase. Do use caution about promises made by some clinics.

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. 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.

You may also be interested in the discussions in the Neuropathy group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuropathy/ in particular this discussion:
- Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-neuropahy/

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I have COPD. I'm hoping I'll be included in stem cell studies at Mayo in 2020.
I've been trying to get in their groups for years. I think I can answer your question: you are talking about regenerative medicine clinics that solicit COPD patients. They often use stem cells from our body. I don't think their techniques are effective. to begin with, the use of stem cells for COPD is in its infancy. So far, the results are not impressive (under best of conditions). Secondly, hospitals at the level of Mayo have learned how to grow lung stem-cells in a lab. They can produce millions of lung stem cells and inject them into a patient. Compare that with the relatively small amount used by the clinics you referred to. There is also an issue with the quality of the cells. As I understand it, you need the specific organ stem cell e.g. lung stem cells. I don't know how many lung stem cells you could mine from fatty tissue or bone marrow.
If I get in, I don't have the optimism to believe the procedure will substantially help me. I will be satisfied if my participation was a useful link in an eventual therapy that is effective.

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@robinson

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

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My wife has stage 4 copd was yours that bad and have you heard of anyone else that stem cell may of helped. Thanks Ron

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@eva3891

My wife has stage 4 copd was yours that bad and have you heard of anyone else that stem cell may of helped. Thanks Ron

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Thank you

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@oldman1946

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

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To All in this discussion group regarding stem cell treatment for COPD. Here is an article from Mayo's website on this topic. If you look at the entire article, you can get more information about clinical trials.

https://www.mayo.edu/research/clinical-trials/cls-20467297
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