Eczema treatment using stem cells therapy

Eczema treatment using stem cells therapy

Eczema, which has always been a challenge for physicians, is a widespread inflammatory disease. It leads to dryness and redness of the skin, as well as the appearance of itchy rashes on it. In more severe cases, papules and vesicles appear. Due to severe itching and scratching, bleeding cracks form on the skin, into which the infection easily penetrates.

Eczema is considered the most expensive skin disease, overtaking acne and psoriasis in terms of cost of treatment. Currently used drugs for the treatment of eczema, such as corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors and antihistamines. However, therapy can only temporarily relieve symptoms. In addition, it is accompanied by side effects and has the risk of developing drug resistance. Therefore, patients need new safe and effective treatments. The most promising of them is cell therapy.

Eczema: causes of the development of the disease

Approximately 230 million people worldwide suffer from eczema. It is usually diagnosed in people with a tendency to atopy. Often the disease is combined with hay fever, asthma and food allergies.

There are many theories regarding the mechanisms by which eczema develops. Current research is investigating the role of:

immune system;

mutations in the structural genes of the skin;

defects in keratinocytes (skin cells);

violations of the microbiome of the surface of the dermis (bacteria, viruses and yeasts).

The leading role in the mechanism of the development of the disease, scientists assign to the immune system. Presumably, cytokines (immune information proteins) are critical components of this disease.They cause a violation of the barrier function of the skin and inflammation, which leads to the appearance of clinical signs of eczema. It is already known that stem cells have a significant impact on the function of the immune system. Therefore, they began to be actively used to treat eczema and other autoimmune diseases.

Eczema: symptoms of the disease depending on the form and location of the lesions

Eczematous lesions can occur on various parts of the body. The most common eczema is on the hands. Its main manifestations are dryness, itching and redness of the skin on the hands. Other symptoms are cracking of the skin, bleeding, purulent discharge in case of infection.

Eczema on the fingers can be very painful, as the skin at the folds of the joints often cracks and bleeds.

One form of the disease that affects the palms of the hands and soles of the feet is dyshidrotic eczema. It is accompanied by the appearance on the skin of itchy vesicles filled with serous fluid. When the vesicles open (on their own or due to scratching), weeping wounds appear, which subsequently crust, crack and bleed.

Eczema: treatment with cellular drugs

Eczema on the legs can affect any area, including the thighs and calves. But more often rashes appear on the knees, ankles, feet and toes. As in other cases, the disease is accompanied by periodic exacerbations, followed by periods of remission.

The most painful for patients is eczema on the face, as the rashes are very noticeable.In addition, the skin of the face is very sensitive, and even the slightest degree of inflammation can cause pain, itching and discomfort.

Weeping eczema is accompanied by the appearance on the skin of numerous vesicles – small vesicles filled with serous exudate (tissue fluid with proteins, leukocytes and epithelial cells). When the bubbles burst, the liquid flows out, creating a wetting effect.

How to treat eczema?

Currently, there are no methods that would help to completely cure or prevent the development of this disease. Therefore, treatment is aimed at controlling the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. Doctors prescribe topical corticosteroids as first-line therapy. These are topical immunosuppressants available in the form of ointments and creams. They help temporarily reduce skin redness, itching and soreness.

Depending on the area of ​​the body affected by eczema, treatment may also include the use of calcineurin inhibitors. They are used for lesions of sensitive areas of the skin, for example, on the face or on the genitals.

Unfortunately, standard treatment has a number of side effects. With long-term use, a corticosteroid-based ointment or cream for eczema can thin the skin, making it clear, brittle, and prone to bruising. Blood vessels become more visible, stretch marks appear due to loss of skin elasticity. Other side effects include excessive body hair growth and perioral dermatitis (a red rash around the mouth). That is why scientists are now actively looking for new methods of therapy.

Effective treatment of eczema with stem cells:

Mesenchymal stem cells (SCs) are non-hematopoietic progenitor cells of stromal origin. They are found in various tissues of the human body, such as:

dental pulp;

Bone marrow;

umbilical cord;

cord blood;

placenta;

adipose tissue;

amniotic fluid;

leather.

Mesenchymal SCs have begun to be used to treat various diseases. This is due to their ability to have a modulating effect on the innate and acquired (adaptive) immune systems.

There are clinical studies that have proven the effectiveness of cell therapy in autoimmune skin diseases. The last one was conducted by St. Mary’s Hospital and Seoul National University. It showed that umbilical cord cell material could be used to treat eczema.

The EASI scale is used to assess the severity and area of ​​eczematous lesions. According to the results of the study, at week 12, 55% of patients who received a high dose of mesenchymal SCs had a 50% decrease in EASI scores.

The senior author of the science experiment said: “Our study has proven that adults with moderate to severe eczema respond to cell therapy. A single administration of the cell preparation resulted in a significant and sustained improvement in the symptoms of the disease in 12 weeks.”

Eczema: treatment with stem cells in Kyiv

The Mediland Clinic offers an innovative technique – regenerative medicine for the treatment of dermatological diseases. For this, both own cells taken from adipose tissue and allogeneic (obtained from the umbilical cord) can be used.

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