Ground-breaking mononuclear (stem) cell therapy could potentially help thousands of patients in the UAE suffering from heart and vascular diseases

Dubai, UAE, July 25, 2016:  A recent report released by the American Heart Association, based on data compiled from 190 countries, showed that heart disease remains the primary global cause of death with 17.3 million fatalities recorded each year. The number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030. In such a scenario, regenerative medicine, particularly stem cell therapy, is gaining ground due to the results of this breakthrough approach in patients. The therapy is also under focus for its use in treating vascular conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease and even the management of chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers and diabetic foot.

In UAE, a study commissioned by Dubai Health Authority (DHA) showed that 30 per cent of the deaths in 2014 were related to heart disease. Another cause for concern is that almost 19 per cent of UAE’s population suffers from diabetes. In such a scenario, mononuclear or stem cell therapy could cut down the mortality and complications that arise from these diseases. Experts believe that it definitely has the potential to save thousands of lives.

Stem cells are the building blocks for every tissue and organ in the body. These are found in different parts of the body and produced at different stages during our lifetime. These include embryonic stem cells (ES), myoblasts (muscle stem cells), adult bone marrow-derived cells such as mesenchymal cells (bone marrow-sourced cells that create tissues such as muscle, fat, bone, tendons and ligaments), endothelial progenitor cells (cells that produce the interior lining of blood vessels), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or hemocytoblasts (stem cells that generate platelets, and red blood and white blood cells) and umbilical cord cells. 

“Embryonic stem cells, for instance, are seen in the body during the earliest stages of development; tissue-specific stem cells are produced during fetal development and remain throughout life. Stem cells can self-replicate and even develop into more specialized cells. This is why stem cells are possible sources for regenerating damaged heart tissue, injured or damaged skin and even in the treatment of diabetes and related conditions,” said Prof. Dr. Tahar Benhidjeb, Consultant - General Surgery, Chairman of Surgery & Deputy Medical Director at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi.

Amongst the various kinds, Autologous mononuclear stem cells (aSCs) are now given special attention.  They are adult stem cells obtained from the person who is being treated and they represent a mix of stem cells generated in the softer, spongier sections of the bone marrow, where their potency to differentiate into different cell types is highest. “These cells not rejected by the body, do not show any risk of forming tumors in future and do not represent any ethical concern. That is why, they are highly researched and promoted for cell therapies,” said Dr. Norbert W Dreier, Consultant – Oncology and Hematology at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi.

The most widely used stem cell treatment is blood stem cell transplantation, for example, bone marrow transplantation, to treat certain blood and immune system disorders (such as diabetes or certain types of anemia) or to rebuild the blood system after treatments for some kinds of cancer, added Dr. Dreier. 
Prof. Dr. George S. Kobinia, General, Cardiac, Vascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi said that recent studies reveal that adult tissues have a continuous self-renewal process throughout life. The fact that immune responses can be enhanced or altered also make aSCs derived from the bone marrow viable for treating other diseases as well, making it the most widely used stem cell therapy at present. 

“We use the point-of-care method, which is a process of collecting, processing and administering the cells within one medical procedure. Once the bone marrow is drawn from the patient, it is processed in a highly advanced machine, generating a concentrate of mononuclear cells and bone marrow derived plasma. We inject both the mononuclear cell concentrate and plasma into a patient. The stem cells, once isolated, are injected via a coronary catheter directly into the heart, followed by the injection of bone marrow derived plasma, which is the carrier fluid for the stem cells.  This is a safe technique and complies with all the required regulations,” he explained.

Prof. Dr. Benhidjeb added that stem cells are definitely changing the way we view disease and its treatment. It is helping researchers and doctors identify new drugs and how they work on our body, replacing tissues damaged by disease, ageing or injury, and even stimulating the body to heal itself.