Many genetic and autoimmune diseases, for example Thalassemia, have not had a definitive treatment. Blood transfusion has been the go-to therapy. The solution to this problem has been found in stem cell treatment. The Hemopoeitic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) treatment for Thalassemia has improved considerably over the last two decades.
In collaboration with GIOSTAR, the medical tourism corporation is providing this expensive and rare stem cell treatment at affordable prices in Mexico. GIOSTAR is a world leader in stem cell therapy and research. They have helped over 4,000 people in developing countries like India. Dr. Anand Srivastava, the CEO and co-founder at GIOSTAR, is a pioneer in the field of stem cell research.
Usually, in conditions like thalassemia, the need for blood transfusion becomes ardent. But a newer, more advanced and powerful solution to such problems has now been developed.
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various other functional forms if need be. This means that in conditions like an autoimmune disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, etc. these cells can be used to regenerate the damaged part.
The blood contains certain components, one of which is hemoglobin. This is the oxygen-carrying constituent of blood. In thalassemia, it has a defective structure, which leads to a lack of healthy hemoglobin. The result will be a patient who is anemic, weak, and has issues with some other organs as well.
This disease is genetic. The parental genes contribute to the expression of the disease in a child.
If one of the parents is a carrier, the child will inherit one defective gene out of the pair. This will lead to a form of the disease called Thalassemia Minor.
On the other hand, if both the parents are carriers, the child gets a defective pair. This will cause a life threatening condition called Thalassemia major.
THALASSEMIA MINOR | THALASSEMIA MAJOR |
Mild anemia | Severe anemia |
Weakness | Extreme malnourishment |
Yellowish tinge of the skin | Jaundice |
Poor appetite | Enlarged spleen |
Frequent infections | Major bone issues |
Your condition will be examined by our multidisciplinary team of experts. This will include study of your past medical reports along with the latest ones. The analysis will help them decide on a specific treatment plan for your condition.
A provisional treatment plan is discussed with the patient. Everything from the procedure to the cost is reviewed at length. If you have any questions for the doctor, this will be a good time to get them answered.
Once in Mexico, you will be given assistance at every step of the way. Our case managers will help you with the stay, logistics and documentation.
Before the actual procedure begins, the patient is made comfortable. The doctors are readily available at all times, so if you have any doubts, feel free to speak your mind.
The patient is then taken to the exam room where a full examination is done. All the vital signs should be in check.
The site of injection is disinfected, the procedure begins.
The stem cells obtained are activated in a closed environment using special machinery. This is done to avoid contamination.
This is followed by the transplantation of the prepared stem cells into the recipient’s body. In simple words, stem cells take up the function of the damaged part of the body.
This infusion of stem cells can be done in one of the two ways given below:
The cells are infused directly at the target organ or tissue. This is done after a prescribed dose of chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
In this method, the cells are administered through the veins. This will lead to an expanded blood volume. The result will be increased number of cells reaching the target organ or tissue.
This is NOT a painful procedure. Most patients are comfortable during as well as after transplantation. If there is some discomfort or bruise-like pain post the procedure, the patient may be given painkillers.
Once the cells are infused, they work on the damaged target organ or tissue to revamp its functioning. The period of recovery will be 1-2 months after transplantation. During this time, your condition will be monitored constantly. If there is even the slightest problem, you will be given appropriate assistance.
GIOSTAR is a company co-founded by one of the pioneers in the field of stem cell research and technology, Dr. Anand Srivastava. He has been associated with leading universities and research institutions of USA.
His expertise in Stem cell biology, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, in-utero transplantation of stem cell, tissue targeting, gene therapy and clinical research makes him a very valuable asset to the company.
Here are a few other facts about GIOSTAR which makes it the world leader in stem cell research:
Stem cells are the ones from which all the other specialized cells are made. They are the raw material of the body.
These can either be Embryonic stem cells or Adult stem cells.
Embryonic Stem Cells are part of an embryo which is 3-5 days old. These cells are pluripotent. This means they can differentiate and adapt to take up the function of any kind of cell in the body. This makes them useful in regenerative medicine.
Adult Stem Cells are found in some adult tissues like the bone marrow and fat. These cells are Multipotent; they can give rise to some but not all kinds of body cells.
Nowadays, using genetic reprogramming, adult cells can be transformed into embryonic stem cells.
When infused into the body, these cells act on the target tissue which is damaged, to create new, healthy cells of the same variety.
Stem cell therapy is now being used to treat several kinds of disorders. For example, autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, blood-related disorders, which did not have a definitive cure until now. It is also being used as an anti-aging therapy.
Patients with active infections or cancer might not be good candidates. the first step should be to get treatment for these conditions. Patients taking blood thinners will need special consideration. The final say will be that of the doctor. To know more, kindly fill out the form given on the website.
The treatment for Thalassemia usually includes radiotherapy or chemotherapy as well. This is followed by stem cell transplantation. The whole process usually takes about 2 months. You might need more than one sitting depending on your condition. The schedule for your sittings will be prepared after proper examination.
The outcome will depend on a variety of factors. The extent of damage and the tissue or organ involved, are just some of them. Most people respond well to this therapy.
As with any other medical procedure, there can be no definitive result. However, most of our patients have benefited from this therapy.
This is a subjective matter. Everyone will have a different extent, location and duration of disease. So, depending on all these factors, the medical experts will come to a provisional plan. This plan will then be discussed with you and finalized.
For a related donor, like a sibling, there is no specific age limit. Bone marrow can be harvested between 6 months and 60 years of age if the donor is healthy.
For an unrelated donor, the age bracket is narrower. Usually, it lies between 20-40 years.
In an allogenic transplantation, the human leukocyte antigen or HLA of the donor and the recipient needs to be matched. The closer the match more is the success rate.
In the process of stem cell transplantation, one of the most important considerations is sterilization. It can make or break the case. This is why stem cell clinics have isolation rooms. Here, no outside personnel are allowed without wearing a sterilized gown. The medical staff entering the room is required to wash and sanitize their hands.
*Please review our full disclaimers, Terms & Conditions and, Health Privacy & Confidentiality Statement. Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA or any medical professional.