Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation

13 years of Clinical Experience

President of Embryonic Tissues Center EmCell Head of Cell Therapy Clinic of National Medical University and Embryonic Tissues Center EmCell Professor Alexander Smikodub, M.D., Ph.D.

In recent years, mass media have been actively discussing the perspectives of clinical application of Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation (ESCT). Stem Cells were predicted to have an unlimited potential as a source of "spare parts" for the human body.

At the same time, substantial experience has been already accumulated in clinical application of ESCT.

According to the existing publications, scientists of Cell Therapy Clinic of National Medical University and Center EmCell, have the most valuable experience in clinical application of ESCT and research of its therapeutic effects.

During a 13-year period of clinical studies of ESCT therapeutic effects, our experts, headed by Prof. Alexander Smikodub, have performed almost 2,000 transplantations in a wide range of diseases (diabetes, cancer, hematological, articular and bowel diseases, degenerative diseases of nervous system, different kinds of injuries, diseases of connective tissue and immune system, including AIDS, chronic infections and sepsis) and conditions (premature aging, male and female climax, involution and asthenic syndromes, cachexia etc.).

Used are different types of embryonic stem cells: hematopoietic, nervous, thymic, muscular, cutaneous, etc. We also work with less specialized embryonic stem cells of mesenchimal, ectodermal, and endodermal origin. Each specific stem cell type has its own special effects. The best results have been achieved through combination of different cell types, depending on mechanisms of certain diseases and stages of their progress, etc.

Clinical studies are carried out mostly by post-graduates of National Medical University at our Cell Therapy Clinic and reputable research institutions of Health Ministry and Academy of Medical Science, such as Institutes for Oncology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics; Hematology Centers for Children and Adults, Center for Proctology, and Central Army Hospital.

We constantly make international medical community aware of our work through participation in national and international scientific conferences and congresses, patenting new methods of treatment based on ESCT application. At the same time, until recently, we tried to avoid publicity due to limited number of patients treated by ESCT methods.

Rapid increase of interest to Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy (EmCell Therapy), discussion of this subject in the media and in public provided the opportunity for us to share our clinical experience of application of ESCT methods, assessment of their advantages and possibilities, as well as their drawbacks.

List of Achievements

1. He was the first in the world to apply embryonic cell suspensions containing stem cells in extensive clinical practice for treatment of diseases causing reduction of cell mass, dystrophy, development of sclerosis and malignisation. The list of the diseases included such divisions of internal illnesses as cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, hematology, oncology, neurology, hereditary diseases and infectious diseases.

2. He was the first in the world to propose using embryonic cell suspensions containing stem sells as medical preparations that could be sold by networks of pharmacies. He has also developed several cell compositions (medical preparations) for treatment of AIDS and diabetes.

3. He was the first in the world to describe regularities of clinical activity of embryonic cell suspensions containing stem cells in the form of non-specific and specific manifestations, such as

   • Syndrome of early posttransplant improvement
   • Syndrome of psycho-functional changes
   • Activity phases of cell suspensions
     1^st stage – "suspensional"
     2^nd stage – "cellular proper"

4. He was the first in the world to introduce schemes of treatment of many diseases and conditions from different divisions of internal illnesses - diabetes, AIDS, cytostatic myelodepression, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis, aging, etc - involving embryonic cell suspensions of mesenchymal, ectodermal and endodermal origin. He also indicated dosages, terms, sequence and compatibility of the administered suspensions.