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TECHNOLOGY
Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior.
These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism involves many parts of the brain. How it occurs is not well understood.
There is no cure for Autism. The main goals of treatment are to lessen associated deficits and family distress, and to increase quality of life and
functional independence. No single treatment is best and treatment is typically tailored to the child's needs.
Many medications are used to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms that interfere with integrating a child into home or school when
behavioral treatment fails. More than half of U.S. children diagnosed with ASD are prescribed psychoactive drugs or anticonvulsants, with the
most common drug classes being antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics.
The XCell-Center's stem cell therapy is a drug-free alternative focused on affecting physical changes in the brain that can improve an autistic
child's quality of life. These improvements usually translate into improved quality of life for their parents and siblings as well.
In a recent pilot study of 10 autistic patients, more than 70% of the respondents showed improvement.
Autism patients are treated by lumbar puncture; injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which transports them up the spinal canal and
into the brain.
Lumbar puncture is an outpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights.
On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture
under general anesthesia. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.
Because the bone marrow collection procedure requires patients to sit still, it is performed under general anesthesia for children and older patients
who for any reason cannot keep still.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities after a short recovery period in the
clinic.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP)
laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types
of cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged tissue.
Lumbar Puncture
A spinal needle is inserted between L4 and L5 vertebrae and a small amount of spinal fluid is removed. A portion of that spinal fluid is mixed
with the stem cell solution which is then injected into back into the patient's spinal fluid, not the spinal cord. After the stem cells have been
implanted, the patient will lie down in the recovery room for a few hours before returning to his or her hotel room. The lumbar puncture
procedure is performed under general anesthesia for children and older patients who cannot sit still.
Following Treatment
Patients who are treated by lumbar puncture are required to stay in town on the day after their procedure for general safety purposes. They may
return home on the fifth day.
Treatment Results
Follow-up statistics from 7 treated autism patients completed in September 2009 show that over 70% (5 of 7) experienced improvements after
stem cell therapy.
The mean age of the patients was 10 years, while the median age was 9.5 years. The oldest treated patient was 16 years of age and the youngest 5.
There was no apparent correlation between positive outcome and the number of stem cells administered.
Overall, patients reported improvements in cognition, language, social contact, eye contact, coordination, motor skills and awareness
Below is a summary of results for 4 of the 5 patients who improved after treatment:
• Better behaved
• Decreased hyperactivity
• Less insomnia - patient can now sleep through the night
• Improved attention span
• Less frustrated
For safety information on 350 patients treated by lumbar puncture, please view our Lumbar Puncture Safety Statistics (PDF file).
Patient Stories
Costs
Stem cell implantation via lumbar puncture: 9,545 Euros (including general anesthesia)
Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients' parents must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical
history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist you with the rest of the
evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
If you and your child will be in Germany, you may also schedule an in-person consultation/evaluation with an XCell-Center physician. You may
also request a "fast-track" evaluation and treatment schedule.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is also called coronary
artery disease (CAD). Angina (chest pain) is the most common symptom of CHD. Other common symptoms include shortness of breath and
fatigue with activity.
Heart Failure is a life-threatening condition in which the heart can no longer pump enough blood throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy,
(weakening of the heart muscle or a change in its structure) is often associated with heart failure.
Standard treatments for CHD and heart failure are diet control, medications and surgical procedures such as stenting to open up clogged arteries
or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to build detours around clogged portions of the arteries.
The XCell-Center's heart treatment differs from standard methods because it is a drug-free alternative focused on repairing heart muscle and
increasing blood flow within the heart muscle itself.
On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture
under local anesthesia. Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure
particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP)
laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types
of cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged heart tissue.
On the third day, the stem cells are implanted back into the patient by angiography under local anesthesia. A special catheter (thin hollow wire) is
inserted into the femoral artery and then guided forward under x-ray scanning until it reaches the targeted areas where the stem cells are then
injected. During this procedure, additional treatments such as coronary artery stenting can be performed if necessary. The angiography procedure
takes about 90 minutes.
Once all the cells have been successfully implanted, patients stay at the hospital overnight for monitoring and to allow the catheter entry point to
close properly. They may return home after being released from the hospital the following day.
Patient Stories
Cost
Evaluation Process
To begin the treatment evaluation process, you must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history
and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation
process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
If you will be in Germany, you may also schedule an in-person consultation/evaluation with an XCell-Center physician. You may also request a
"fast-track" evaluation and treatment schedule.
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of non-progressive, non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability and applies to the cerebrum in the
brain and the disorder of movement.
The brain damage normally doesn't worsen, but secondary diseases are very common. Most notable are various orthopedic difficulties and motor
disorders, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Cerebral palsy cannot be cured. Standard treatments include drugs, mechanical aids, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, occupational therapy
and speech therapy. All these approaches are focused at helping the patient overcome developmental disabilities or learn new ways to accomplish
difficult tasks.
Almost 70% of the cerebral palsy patients treated with stem cells at the XCell-Center show improvement.
Most cerebral palsy patients are treated by lumbar puncture; injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which transports them up the
spinal canal and into the brain. A new procedure, by which the stem cells are surgically implanted directly into the brain, is also available.
Lumbar puncture is an outpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights. Direct surgical implantation is an inpatient
procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany for about 10 nights.
On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture
under local anesthesia. Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure
particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.
Because the bone marrow collection procedure requires patients to sit still, it is performed under general anesthesia for children.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities. Patients who receive general
anesthesia must lie down for a short recovery period before returning to their hotel.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP)
laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types
of cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged tissue.
On the third day, the stem cells are implanted back into the patient by lumbar puncture or surgical implantation. Surgical implantation is performed
under general anesthesia for all patients.
Lumbar Puncture
A spinal needle is inserted between L4 and L5 vertebrae and a small amount of spinal fluid is removed. A portion of that spinal fluid is mixed
with the stem cell solution which is then injected into back into the patient's spinal fluid, not the spinal cord. After the stem cells have been
implanted, the patient will lie down in the recovery room for a few hours before returning to his or her hotel room. The lumbar puncture
procedure is performed under local anesthesia for adults and general anesthesia for children. Under normal circumstances, procedures performed
under local anesthesia are not painful.
Surgical Implantation
Prior to surgery, physical and functional damage will be assessed by computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). Once the affected brain regions have been identified and mapped, the neurosurgeon
will implant the stem cells using a high tech navigation system that allows the cells to be placed with high accuracy.
Following Treatment
Patients who are treated by lumbar puncture are required to stay in town on the day after their procedure for general safety purposes. They may
return home on the fifth day.
Surgical implantation patients may leave upon discharge from the hospital, usually on the ninth or tenth day, depending upon how their recovery
progresses.
Treatment Results
Follow up statistics from 45 cerebral palsy patients completed in July 2009 show that close to 67% experienced improvements after stem cell
therapy.
The mean age of the patients was 8.9 years, while the median age was 6 years. The oldest treated patient was 44 years of age. There was no
apparent correlation between positive outcome and the number of stem cells administered.
The type of improvements reported include: decreased spasticity; better coordination; improved motor function, improved posture stability; better
cognition resulting in communication improvements; gaining the ability to sit, stand or even walk unassisted.
Improved speech was observed in 40% of patients. 16.7% reported a decrease or even absence of epileptic seizures following treatment. About
20% showed improved cognition.
For complete results including more graphs, please view the complete July 2009 Cerebral Palsy Treatment Results.
For safety information on 350 patients treated by lumbar puncture, please view our Lumbar Puncture Safety Statistics (PDF file).
Patient Stories
Costs
Stem cell implantation via lumbar puncture: 7,545 Euros (adults) - 9,000 Euros (children).
Minimally invasive surgical implantation of stem cells directly into the brain: 25,500 Euros.
Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history
and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation
process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
If you or a loved one is living with diabetes then you may already be aware its debilitating effects.
Diabetes is often called the "silent killer" because it attacks the body slowly and stealthily. Newly diagnosed adult diabetes patients are usually not
overly concerned about it since their symptoms are often no more serious than frequent urination and increased thirst. Many other patients have
no symptoms at all.
However, as time goes by, the consequences of both types of diabetes become increasingly serious and can lead to death. These include heart
disease, eye problems, kidney failure, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction, to name a few. Major contributors to the degenerative effects of
diabetes are hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemic events (acute low blood sugar). Recent studies suggest that even some oral
diabetes medications contribute to heart failure. Thus, it is critical that men and women who are diagnosed with diabetes seek treatment to reduce
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemic events that will, in time, trigger these dangerous, degenerative conditions.
Our innovative, autologous (originating from your own body) stem cell therapy for diabetes I and II does just that - drug free. It fights diabetes at
its roots, reducing hyperglycemia and its associated complications (see above). Recent evidence suggests that it also reduces hypoglycemic (low
blood sugar) events that can result in death if not treated promptly.
The XCell-Center has safely treated hundreds of diabetes patients to-date. Newly released follow-up statistics show that more than 50% of
patients improve following treatment.
Diabetes patients are usually treated by injecting the stem cells into the pancreatic artery via catheter. Patients who cannot safely undergo the
catheterization procedure may elect to receive the stem cells intravenously.
Both methods are outpatient procedures that require patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights.
On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture
under local anesthesia. Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure
particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, the patient may return to their hotel and go about normal activities.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP)
laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types
of cells and are capable of regenerating damaged cells such as pancreatic beta cells.
More detailed information about the catheterization (angiography) procedure may be found in the Angiography Informed Consent document
(PDF file).
Patients who cannot be treated by catheter, such as those with kidney problems, are offered an alternative intravenous stem cell implantation.
Patients who are suffering from diabetic peripheral neuropathy will receive a portion of their stem cells via intramuscular injections into the leg
muscles.
Following Treatment
Patients are required to stay in town on the fourth day for general safety considerations. They may return home on the fifth day.
Treatment Results
Follow up statistics from 50 diabetes patients completed in July 2009 show that more than 50% experienced improvements after stem cell therapy.
40% of the patients were insulin dependent (type 1) and 60% were non-insulin dependent (type 2). About 4 of 5 patients were male and the
average age was 51 years old.
Approximately 1/3 of insulin dependent patients improved following treatment while about 2/3 of non-insulin dependent patients improved.
Overall, improvements reported included more stable blood glucose levels, lower fasting blood glucose levels, decreased leg pain, lower blood
pressure and the elimination of hypoglycemic episodes.
Please see Diabetes Treatment Results (PDF file) for the complete study.
Cost
The cost of the treatment depends on the method of cell application. An XCell-Center doctor will evaluate the medical records and blood work of
a prospective patient to determine which application method would be most appropriate.
Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history
and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation
process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The disease process
results in inflammation and damage to myelin (the insulating tissue for nerve fibers) and other cells within the nervous system.
Because myelin aids the conduction of nerve signals, damage to myelin results in impaired nerve signaling and may impair normal sensation,
movement, and thinking. This damage occurs in patches that appear as distinct lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patches cause
different symptoms, depending on their location within the nervous system.
The stem cells are first collected from a patient's bone marrow, extracted from the hipbone (iliac crest) then implanted back into the body days
later. Prior to re-implantation of the cells, the bone marrow is processed in one of our labs, where the quantity and quality of the stem cells is also
checked.
These re-injected stem cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of cells and are capable of regenerating damaged tissue. Our
innovative stem cell treatments use the self-healing potential of each patient's own body to stimulate regeneration or repair.
Currently there is no cure for MS. There are treatments available that may slow its progression and alleviate associated symptoms. Stem cell
therapy is among these treatment options.
Results
In the bar chart below you can see the results of a survey of 19 of our multiple sclerosis patients. The survey was conducted one to six months
• Seven out of 19 patients reported no change in spasticity, sensation, mobility or feeling of well-being after the treatment.
• Eight out of 19 patients reported an improvement, with reduced spasticity and/or improved sensation and/or improved mobility and/or a
reduction in fatigue.
• Three out of 19 patients reported a strong improvement, with an absence of spasticity and/or a marked improvement of sensation and/or
marked improvement in mobility. They also reported improved bladder control and/or better vision and/or a marked reduction of fatigue.
• One patient reported a perceived deterioration of the quality of his life. The treatment could neither stop nor reverse the advance of the MS
symptoms.
Cost