Stem cells treat COVID-19: already in Ukraine

Ukrainian scientists have made a breakthrough in the treatment of COVID-19 affected lungs with the administration of stem cells. To date, only the first stage of clinical trials has taken place, but its results are optimistic.

 

UKRINFORM writes about this, referring to the message of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine on Facebook.

 

It is reported that clinical trials are being conducted in Ukraine to treat severe pneumonia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus with stem cells.

 

The study involved 13 patients (aged 36 to 73 years) with bilateral pneumonia, saturation below 93% and severe course of the disease. In the second week after stem cell administration, the lungs of 4 from 13 patients fully recovered.

 

After 24 weeks, patients underwent computed tomography and a positive trend in lung recovery was noted. Only one patient has signs of fibrosis in one lobe of one lung.

 

Meanwhile, in a control group of 15 patients who did not receive cell therapy, one person died and seven developed pulmonary fibrosis in the eighth week.

 

“These data suggest that today the use of mesenchymal stem cells is a promising method of combating fibrous degeneration of lung tissue due to pneumonia caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2,” Dr. Volodymyr Shabliy said, Ph.D., senior researcher of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of NASU and Deputy Director of Cryobank of the Institute of Cell Therapy.

 

“Treatment of coronavirus COVID-19 pneumonia (SARS-CoV-2 pathogen) with cryopreserved allogeneic multipotent mesenchymal stem cells of the placenta and umbilical cord” is carried out with the participation of the Institute of Cell Therapy in cooperation with the Kyiv City Clinical Hospital and Gromashevsky Institute of Infectious Diseases. Cell preparations are manufactured by the biotechnological laboratory of the Institute of Cell Therapy in accordance with international standards.

 

“In order to obtain complete data on the effectiveness of this method, patients monitoring should last at least during a year. We must compare the long-term results of the effectiveness of the use of stem cells with the method of treatment approved by the protocol of the Ministry of Health. These observations on the 24th week after administration allow us to conclude that the method of using stem cells is not only safe but also effective in the speed of recovery of patients and in preventing the development of pulmonary fibrosis,” Dr. V.A. Shabliy added.

 

“The ability of mesenchymal stem cells to inhibit the release of proinflammatory cytokines is particularly valuable in coronavirus pneumonia, the severity of which is due to the so-called “cytokine storm”. substances that cause pathological inflammation of both lung tissue and other organs, increase vascular permeability, which subsequently contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis,”- said the Institute.

 

The Institute of Cell Therapy has also developed a program of covid rehabilitation or treatment of so-called “chronic COVID” or “longCOVID”. The diagnosis of “chronic COVID” includes pathological symptoms of the respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal systems in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 according to the results of laboratory tests. The program aims to return the patient to a full life as soon as possible.

 

Based on materials: https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-society/3201282-likuvanna-koroni-stovburovimi-klitinami-ukrainski-vceni-otrimali-persi-rezultati-doslidzen.html, https://life.pravda.com.ua/health/2021/03/3/244112/ and stemcellclinic.com

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