ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive, incurable neurological disorder in which motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord gradually die. As a result, a person’s muscles weaken and atrophy, and they gradually lose the ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe.
PAY ATTENTION TO NEW ALS TREATMENT PROTOCOL: Stem Cell Therapy in ALS Treatment in 2026
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Challenges in treating ALS:
1. Incurability
To date, there is no drug that can stop or cure ALS. Therapy is aimed at slowing the progression of symptoms and improving quality of life.
2. Rapid progression
In most patients, symptoms increase within 2-5 years after diagnosis, leading to complete loss of motor function.
3. Individual course
ALS progresses differently in different people – for some it progresses slowly, for others it is very aggressive. This complicates the choice of therapy.
4. Lack of early diagnosis
The disease is difficult to diagnose at an early stage, as the symptoms may resemble other neurological disorders.
5. High need for multidisciplinary care
Requires the constant participation of a neurologist, rehabilitation specialist, speech therapist, nutritionist, psychologist and nurses.
6. Psychological and emotional stress
The disease has a strong impact not only on the patient, but also on his family – psychological support is often required.
7. Cost of treatment and care
Ventilators, special chairs, feeding through a tube and constant care – all this requires significant costs, especially in countries with a limited support system for patients with rare diseases.
Treatment of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) with stem cells is one of the most discussed and at the same time controversial areas in modern neuromedicine. Here is a brief overview of the scientific and clinical status of the issue:
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What does stem cell treatment of ALS involve?
The goal of therapy is to replace damaged neurons or create an environment that supports the survival of the remaining neurons. Cell options:
• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) – from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood;
• Neural stem cells – have the potential to differentiate into neurons;
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) – obtained from the patient’s own cells.
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Difficulties:
1. ALS is a systemic disease, not just local damage, so even transplantation of healthy cells does not stop the entire pathological process.
2. Not all stem cells affect the restoration of motor neurons. More often, therapy is aimed not at treatment, but at prolonging life
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What is available today?
• Some clinics in the USA, Israel, Japan and South Korea are conducting experimental procedures, for example, using the drug NurOwn (BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics) – mesenchymal cells from the patient’s bone marrow, processed to secrete neurotrophic factors.
→ The drug has not yet been approved by the FDA (USA) for widespread use, since there is no convincing clinical efficacy.
• In Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and other countries, ALS treatment with stem cells is at the experimental level of clinical use cases, and most programs are not included in official protocols.
What can we offer in the treatment of ALS
We are currently using an absolutely new approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases with stem cells, progenitor cells of narrowly differentiating cells, organelles and secreting growth factors.
The basic material for treatment is the organelles of narrowly differentiated nerve cells, namely neurotrophins in combination with conductors (these can be exosomes, liposomes, other vesicles, etc.)
Neurotrophins are a group of proteins that play a key role in the development, survival, maintenance and restoration of neurons (nerve cells). They are especially relevant in neurodegenerative diseases, including ALS.
READ MORE : Stem Cell Therapy for ALS: Advanced Neural Regeneration and Personalized Cellular Medicine
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The main neurotrophins:
1. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
2. NGF (nerve growth factor)
3. NT-3 (neurotrophin-3)
4. NT-4/5 (neurotrophin-4/5)
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The main functions of neurotrophins:
Function Description
Survival of neurons Prevent apoptosis (self-destruction) of neurons.
Growth and differentiation Stimulate the formation of new neurons and processes (axons, dendrites).
Regeneration Promote the restoration of damaged neurons and connections.
Synaptic plasticity Improve the transmission of signals between neurons (the key to learning and memory).
Anti-inflammatory action Reduce neuroinflammation that accompanies ALS and other diseases.
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Role in the treatment of ALS:
• ALS is characterized by a decrease in the level of BDNF and other neurotrophins.
• Many experimental approaches (including the brainstem)
new cells and gene therapies) are aimed at increasing the production of neurotrophins, especially BDNF.
• Drugs and biomolecules that can activate neurotrophin receptors (Trk receptors) are being studied.
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Why it matters:
Neurotrophins are one of the key factors that allows the nervous system to adapt, recover, and fight degeneration. Increasing their levels can slow down or partially compensate for the destruction of neurons in ALS and other diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis).
Neurotrophins have great potential for the treatment of ALS, but their direct delivery to the brain or spinal cord is extremely difficult. This is why they use vehicles such as exosomes – microscopic nanostructures that can safely transport biomolecules to neurons. ________________________________________
ANALYSE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Stem cells clinic of treatment Neurodegenerative Diseases
Why do neurotrophins need “conductors” (e.g. exosomes):
The problem The role of exosomes
1. Short half-life in the body Exosomes protect neurotrophins from rapid destruction in the blood.
2. Poor penetration through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) Exosomes are able to cross the BBB, delivering useful substances directly to the brain/spinal cord.
3. Indiscriminate action – getting into other tissues Exosomes can be tuned to target cells, for example, neurons.
4. Ineffective delivery to the desired areas They act as a “nanotransport” – directing BDNF, NGF and other neurotrophins to the affected areas.
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How it works (simplified):
1. In the lab, neurotrophins (e.g. BDNF) are loaded into exosomes.
2. This composition is introduced into the body (injection)
3. They find neurons (thanks to targeting molecules) and fuse with them.
4. Neurotrophin gets inside the cell – activates survival and recovery.
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Why is this important in ALS:
• ALS destroys motor neurons, and simply introducing BDNF is not enough: it will not reach the target.
• Exosomes, especially those obtained from mesenchymal stem cells, are becoming ideal “carriers” because:
o they are biocompatible,
o do not cause an immune response,
o can be modified for precise delivery.
What affects the success of ALS therapy:
– early period of disease manifestation, the first signs, at which the patient still walks, eats, breathes independently
– older age (not children). This means that the disease is not of the genetic spectrum, but acquired and more manageable with therapy
– therapy is aimed at survival and prolongation of life – this is not a treatment!!
– annual therapy, which gives the patient a real chance to prolong life by 10-15 years, possibly more.
A real current case of the ALS treatment protocol:
the patient came at the age of 48 with the first signs of the disease manifestation. He underwent a full cycle of therapy (usually 4-5 days). Every year the patient receives therapy, which gives the opportunity to continue living. Now the patient is 64 years old. The patient lives in Saudi Arabia, and every year our laboratory sends him his treatment protocol (all the necessary dosages of stem cells) for self-administration in his country. This significantly reduces the cost of therapy for the patient. The delivery of cellular material is handled by a special company that specializes in the transportation of bio-materials with full quality control. Our specialists completely control the administration protocol remotely with preliminary training of the medical personnel who administer this therapy.
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