Best Stem Cell Centers 2022

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -

Below, we cover six leading stem cell centers. Each one has treated large populations of patients with adult stem cells. At least one (Regenexx) is maintaining a Patient Registry to document long-term patient outcomes.  Others, like GIOSTAR, have been working with the U.S. FDA on clinical trials related to the treatment of COVID-19.


Several of them, have been treating patients for over a decade.

Please note that we are not advising patients to seek treatment from these companies. We are identifying them to allow readers to seek out more information.

1. GIOSTAR

The Global Institute of Stem Cell Therapy and Research (GIOSTAR) provides adult stem cells for autologous and allogeneic stem cell therapy, based on research by Dr. Anand Srivastava. This stem cell treatment group offers treatments for a range of chronic conditions, musculoskeletal injuries, and degenerative diseases.

GIOSTAR can treat joint pain (knees, shoulders, hips), orthopedic injuries, arthritis, lung diseases, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, autoimmune diseases, and post-COVID complications. It can also provide anti-aging and aesthetic treatments, including IV vitamin therapy.

Each of GIOSTAR’s clinics is licensed for the application of stem cell therapy. Since 2000, its team of scientists and clinicians have been developing and utilizing stem cell-based clinical protocols for the purpose of stem cell treatment.

Within the United States, GIOSTAR treats patients at its Chicago, IL, location. It also serves clients at its clinical sites based in Mexico, India, Brazil, Thailand and U.A.E.

GIOSTAR is one of the world’s most established stem cell treatment providers, having treated thousands of patients over the past 21 years. The company has also been working with the U.S. FDA on trials for the treatment of COVID-19.

2. Stem Cell Institute (Panama)

Founded by Dr. Neil Riordan, a globally recognized stem cell expert and visionary, the Stem Cell Institute in Panama is among the world’s leaders in stem cell research and therapy. Their treatments focus on well-targeted combinations of allogeneic umbilical cord stem cells, as well as autologous bone marrow stem cells.

The stem cells clinic uses stem cell therapies to treat various ailments, including the following:

  • spinal cord injury (SCI)
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • heart failure
  • osteoarthritis
  • multiple sclerosis
  • autoimmune diseases
  • genetic disorders, such as autism and cerebral palsy

Stem Cell Therapy for MS

One of their most recent studies exhibited the clinical feasibility of stem cell transplant process as a safe and effective treatment approach for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, the study showed that umbilical cord stem cells can slow down MS disease progression and decrease the frequency of flare-ups.

However, these stem cells did not exhibit the ability to repair damaged nerve cells or myelin sheaths.

Clinical Trials Results

After the completion of this clinical study, there was an improvement in MS patient disability. The 1-month mark of the study documented improvements in mobility, hand, bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. Importantly, the study demonstrated that a sustained one-year umbilical cord stem cell therapy has more durable benefits than current MS drug therapies.

3. Regenexx

Headquartered in Denver, CO, Regenexx offers self-derived (autologous transplant) same-day stem cell treatments to patients with orthopedic injuries and conditions. Regenexx clinics incorporate a variety of regenerative approaches, drawing patients from all over the U.S. who are seeking innovative, non-surgical treatments.

Regenexx Stem Cell Technology

The Regenexx® technology involves a procedure in which a small bone marrow sample is extracted through a needle and blood is drawn from a vein in the arm. These samples are then processed in a laboratory and the cells they contain are injected into the area needing repair, with the goal of delivering large numbers of stem cells to the site of injury.

Beyond FDA-Approved Cell Therapy

Regenexx is also a licensed offshore clinic in the Cayman Islands where patients can undergo treatments that utilize laboratory-expanded (“ex vivo”) stem cell populations. This approach allows for a much larger number of stem cells to be administered to the patient than is supported by U.S. law, which currently prohibits laboratory procedures that the FDA considers to exceed “minimal manipulation.”

Dr. Christopher Centeno is the Founder and CEO of Regenexx. He is a global authority in the culture expansion and clinical use of adult stem cells to treat orthopedic injuries and the visionary behind the Regenexx® technology.

I am also a Regenexx patient. Click here to read my experience.

4. DVC Stem

Headquartered in Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, physicians at DVC Stem have been using complimentary alternative therapies to clinically treat patients with various medical conditions. It is one of the most advanced stem cell clinics in the Caribbean, with IRB-approved protocols, a fully licensed staff, and a facility that is accredited by the medical governing bodies of the Cayman Islands.

DVC Partner Lab, Vitro Biopharma

DVC Stem sources its cells from its partner lab Vitro Biopharma Inc, a state of the art, US-based, FDA registered, cGMP compliant and ISO 9001 certified laboratory, and only use American Association of Tissue Bank (AATB) certified suppliers of full-term, ethically U.S.-donated human umbilical cords.

Led by Medical Director Louis A. Cona, MD, DVC Stem’s focus is on cord-tissue derived allogeneic stem cell therapy for degenerative conditions, wear and tear, and intelligent aging.

Notable patients the company has treated include Lou Ferrigno (champion bodybuilder/actor), Michael Armand Hammer (businessman/philanthropist), and David Lyons (Founder, MS Fitness Challenge), and others .

5. Okyanos

Founded in 2011, Okyanos is a stem cell therapy provider that specializes in treating patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and other chronic degenerative conditions. Okyanos Cell Therapy uses internationally-approved technology to deliver a mixed population of fat (adipose) derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) to patients with conditions such as the following:

  • cardiovascular disease
  • orthopedic issues
  • neurological disorders
  • urological indications
  • autoimmune conditions

Stem Cell Treatment Centers

Okyanos maintains both a North American Office in Clearwater, FL, and a purpose-built Cell Therapy Surgical Center in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Okyanos’ stem cell treatments are performed in their state-of-the-art surgical centers under the care of board-certified doctors.

Okyanos is also fully licensed and regulated under the Bahamas Stem Cell Therapy and Research Act and adheres to U.S. surgical center standards. Click here to read our interview with Matthew Feshbach, Co-Founder and CEO of  Okyanos.

6. Celltex

Celltex specializes in cryopreserving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for therapeutic use. Celltex acquires stem cells by collecting a small fat sample from a patient, from which MSCs are extracted, isolated, multiplied, and stored for future use (known as cell banking).

Patients can then use their stored stem cells for regenerative purposes through infusions or injections performed by a licensed physician.

FDA-Approved Stem Cell Clinical Trials

Because the FDA considers an individual’s stem cells a drug if they have been expanded in large quantities, Celltex has begun the process of undertaking clinical trials on stem cells as a treatment for a range of medical conditions, seeking approval from the FDA to allow physicians to utilize these cells.

Approved Stem Cell Therapies in Mexico

Nonetheless, to meet the immediate needs of its clients, the company also has taken steps to meet the requirements of the FDA and COFEPRIS, a Mexican institution equivalent to FDA in MSCs import and export.

Celltex also works with Mexican hospitals that are established and certified that allowed the company’s cell-banking clients to receive their stem cells for medical purposes.

Questions to Ask Before Undergoing a Stem Cell Therapy

Although these leading stem cell centers have built a good reputation in regenerative medicine, it is still important to probe these clinics before the proper procedure. These questions should cover what to expect from the treatment, safety and emergencies, cost, and the patient’s rights.

Treatment

  • What possible benefits can the patient get from stem cell therapy? How can these be measured and how long will it take?
  • Are there other medications or special care the patient needs aside from the treatment?
  • Which stem cell source best fits the patient’s condition?
  • What are other treatment options for the patient’s condition?
  • What is their stem cell procedure (from harvesting to follow-up check-up)?

Safety and Emergencies

  • If the patient is given donor stem cells, what are the success and failure rates of the therapy?
  • Are there possible long-term side effects of the treatment?
  • In case a side effect develops, what do stem cell centers do, who will the patient reach out to, and how immediate can they respond to the side effect?
  • How experienced are the doctor and the support staff who will perform the procedure?
  • How advanced and sterilized is the clinic’s equipment?

Costs

  • What are the expenses for stem cell therapy?
  • What other costs will the patient incur?

Patient’s Rights

  • What are the patient’s rights (confidentiality, update for new information, and the right to withdraw from the procedure)?
  • What compensation will the patient be entitled to in case they will get injured while on the treatment process?

Understanding how these leading stem cell centers operate and what they do allows the patient to assess which of them is the right investment. While the information above is important to understand from a scientific and regulatory perspective, patient experiences are valuable too.

This is a condensed version of the original article that was published here.

Comments

Post a Comment

Labels

Show more

Archive

Show more

Popular posts from this blog

12 Types of Zinc Supplementation and Absorption 2024

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
Zinc is a powerful immune nutrient known for its benefits for providing immune health support and anti inflammation as well as for improving cold and respiratory symptoms, wound healing, acne reduction, and lowering the risk of age-related diseases. Research on atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus suggests that zinc deficiency may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation. Types of Zinc What's the best absorbed zinc supplement form?  We know there’s an ocean of information out there to navigate, so we’ve compiled a list of common zinc types and an overview on each zinc type below. There are several types of zinc supplements. Supplements contain several forms of zinc, including zinc gluconate, zinc citrate and zinc picolinate. The percentage of elemental zinc varies by form.  Choosing a zinc supplement can be confusing because there are so many different types. zinc acetate zinc angstro
Read more

How to Detox Spike Protein After COVID - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The spike protein is naturally found in SARS-CoV-2, no matter the variant. In its native form in SARS-CoV-2, the spike protein is responsible for the pathologies of the viral infection. As of October 30, 2023, federal  data  published by the US CDC found that 14.3% (National Estimate) of adults who previously had a COVID-19 infection are currently experiencing symptoms of long COVID.  In its wild form it’s known to open the blood-brain barrier, cause cell damage (cytotoxicity) and, as Dr. Robert Malone, the inventor of the  mRNA and DNA vaccine core platform technology , said in a commentary on  News Voice , “is active in manipulating the biology of the cells that coat the inside of your blood vessels — vascular endothelial cells, in part through its interaction with ACE2, which controls contraction in the blood vessels, blood pressure and other things.” It’s also been revealed that the spike protein on its own is enough to cause inflammation and damage to the vascular system, even i
Read more

Lumbrokinase vs Nattokinase vs Serrapeptase: What's the Difference?

By -
Image
Lumbrokinase, nattokinase, and serrapeptase are all enzymes that have been studied for their potential health benefits. They are all considered as proteolytic enzymes. Proteolytic enzymes have a variety of roles in the body, from helping to digest food to taking part in the immune response. What is Lumbrokinase? Lumbrokinase (LK) is an enzyme derived from earthworms is thought to aid in blood clot prevention, inflammation reduction, and circulation problems.  Lumbrokinase for Blood Clots Thrombolytic agents typically used to dissolve clots are urokinase (u-PA), streptokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). These drugs, however, are not specific for fibrin and have adverse and dangerous side effects including severe bleeding and heavy blood loss which may result in death. In contrast, LK is very specific to fibrin as a substrate and it does not cause excessive bleeding. It can dissolve the fibrin itself or convert plasminogen to plasmin by inducing endogenous t-PA activity to
Read more

Fenbendazole Cancer Success Stories and Treatment Testimonials: Case Series (2024)

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The inspiring testimonials (below) you are about to read are shared by individuals who have generously recounted their remarkable journeys with the hope of motivating and uplifting fellow patients. It’s essential to acknowledge that while these case studies offer incredible hope, the Fenbendazole protocol isn’t a universal solution. Related:  Best Anti Cancer Supplements Below is the list categorised by different cancer types alphabetically. Fenbendazole Breast Cancer Success Stories December, 2022 Condition: Stage 4 ER+PR+HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer to bones A friend told me about the Joe Tippens Protocol and ivermectin the day after I got my diagnosis for a third bout with breast cancer. I started both immediately. I saw my oncologist a week later. She added Faslodex, Kisqali, and Femara. She supported me added the JTP and the ivermectin. In 8 weeks I was in remission as measured by my CA2729. At week 11, a PET scan showed NED. Which of the protocol components
Read more

Fenbendazole vs Mebendazole: What is the Difference?

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
Fenbendazole for Humans Fenbendazole (also known as fenben) is a veterinary medication used to treat parasites and worms such as tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms, in animals. It is commonly used under brand names like Panacur C and Safe-Guard. Recently, researchers have been experimenting with fenbendazole for humans cancer. Though the studies are limited, what researchers have found so far is promising for cancer patients. Many cancer patients have been following the Fenbendazole for cancer Protocol . However, fenbendazole isn’t the only worming medication that has the potential to fight cancer. Researchers have also been studying how Mebendazole, a drug that can treat worms in humans, could be just as, or even more, effective at shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells. Here’s what you need to know about each of these medications: Fenbendazole vs. Mebendazole Fenbendazole is part of a larger group of drugs known as benzimidazole, which are anthelmintic dr
Read more

NAC vs NAD vs NR vs NMN? What are the Differences?

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
NAC vs NAD vs NR vs NMN ? Due to the small alphabetical differences, these supplements are often mixed up and confused by most consumers. We will cover the essentials and explain about each of these supplements below. NAD NAD is derived from Nicotinamide Riboside (NR). The levels of NAD in our body determine the speed of aging process. In younger cells and tissues, the levels of NAD are higher. As a result, younger people tend to have better physical activity, cognitive function and potential for cell repair and regeneration. As we grow, the levels of NAD in our body start to decline. This is reflected in the form of slowed cognitive response, loss of memory and reduced agility. Research suggests it may be possible to reverse mitochondrial decay with dietary supplements that increase cellular levels of a molecule called NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide).  NAD is a linchpin of energy metabolism, among other roles, and its diminishing level with age has been implicated in mitochond
Read more

FLCCC I-MASK+ Protocol for COVID-19

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
FLCCC (Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care) I-MASK+ Protocol I-MASK+ Prevention & Early Outpatient Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 was designed for use as a prevention and in early outpatient treatment, for those who test positive for COVID-19. Component nutrients include vitamin D, C, melatonin, quercetin and zinc . All the component medicines are FDA-approved (except ivermectin), inexpensive, readily available and have been used for decades with well-established safety profiles. Please take note that I-MASK+ protocols are now: I-PREVENT protocol for prevention (prophylaxis) I-CARE protocol for early treatment . PREVENTION PROTOCOL As rates of infection with influenza and RSV rose in fall/winter 2022, FLCCC adapted th
Read more

How Linoleic Acid Wrecks Your Health (2024) - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
The majority of Americans might be misled by official health recommendations to eat “healthy” vegetable oils. Even the term “vegetable oil” is misleading because it gives you the impression that you are receiving vegetable micronutrients when these oils are actually highly toxic, industrially-processed seed oils. Seed oils are some of the most dangerous items you could eat. Tucker Goodrich and Dr Mercola discussed what will be the topic of Dr Mercola's next book, namely linoleic acid (LA), which he believed is likely the leading contributing cause of virtually all chronic diseases we've encountered over the last century. Unfortunately, this is a topic that most clinicians and health care practitioners who focus on natural medicine have only a superficial understanding of.   Goodrich has a business background as a stockbroker and asset manager, and developed an IT risk management system used by two of the largest hedge funds in the w
Read more

The Key to Reversing All Autoimmune Diseases - Dr Mercola

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
It has been estimated that over 54.4 million people in the United States have an autoimmune disease  ( R ).   Some of the major ones would be rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. Since I have a massive clinical experience with RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), I am going to use it as an example of how all autoimmune diseases can be treated. Why? Because they all have similar origins which are related to an antigen sneaking into your body and your immune system confusing it as a foreign invader. The antigen that gets into your system determines which of your body's tissues will be impacted. From the late 1980s and for the following 10 years, I treated over 3,000 patients with rheumatic illnesses, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, polymyositis and dermatomyositis. RA has a devastating prognosis in many patients. Rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1% of our population
Read more

How to Get Ivermectin in the US: Pharmacies (2023)

By Dr. Frank Yap, MD -
Image
To assist all who are having difficulty finding pharmacists to fill prescriptions for ivermectin for preventing or treating COVID-19, FLCCC offer the following list of pharmacies that have assured us that they will fill these off-label prescriptions. Note: Ivermectin is often recognized – 2nd to penicillin – for having the greatest impact on human health. And its discovery won the Nobel Prize in 2015. Ivermectin has an increasing list of indications due to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and is included on the  WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines .  Several studies reported antiviral effects of ivermectin on RNA viruses such as Zika, dengue, yellow fever, West Nile, Hendra, Newcastle, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, chikungunya, Semliki Forest, Sindbis, Avian influenza A, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus type 1, and COVID 19 virus. Ivermectin also offer potential benefits in addressing conditions such as  cance
Read more