Orthopedics
Two therapies have been developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis and chondrocyte defects resulting from injury or mechanical joint wear. These therapies utilize unique and minimally invasive intervention, leading to efficient tissue repair and regeneration.
Pain in joints is often caused by cartilage defects. Healthy articular cartilage is a pressure-resistant supporting tissue that acts as a shock-absorber. It consists of chondrocytes (cartilage cells), a basic substance, together with collagen fibers and water. Cartilage defects result from unbalanced strain on the joints (traumatic cartilage defects) caused by age-related degeneration (degenerative cartilage defects) or by disease. If left untreated, cartilage defects often cause early-onset osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of people worldwide, causing debilitating conditions for patients suffering from this degenerative condition. Although the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age, many young people also suffer from it due to sports injuries, lifestyle and other factors. The joints that can be affected are major joints in the limbs, such as elbow and fingers, toes, ankle, knee and hip as well as regions of the cervical spinal cord. Chondrocyte damage is non-reversible, and if left untreated it leads to permanent defects of the bones and joints.
Damaged cartilage is not able to regenerate efficiently.
Over the years, the defect worsens and further cartilage degeneration occurs, often leading to surgery for the implantation of a joint prosthesis to restore functionality of the joint.
Theracell has developed a series of autologous therapies in orthopedics, aimed at preventing damage or halting it at an early stage. These therapies are used for the biological regeneration of articular cartilage defects by means of the body’s own cells (stem cells or chondrocytes). They take advantage of the healing properties of the growth factors contained in the patient’s plasma, as well as the healing properties of adipose-derived stem cells.
Cartil-S
Theracell has developed an autologous injectable product (Cartil-S) that helps delay or even stop arthritic lesion progression. Cartil-S is an autologous treatment that makes use of the patient’s own Stem Cells and their immunosuppressive properties. It is indicated for cartilage defects of degenerative origin.
The treatment with Cartil-S involves the collection of a small biopsy of adipose tissue (subcutaneous fat), the isolation of stem cells and their expansion. These stem cells are “primed” (activated) so that they start their differentiation into chondroblasts. These “primed” stem cells are then provided to the doctor who will inject them into the defective joint.
Mechanism of action
It has been shown that stem cells may be able to reduce joint pain and increase function in patients with severe arthritis. The following steps describe in detail what happens in a degenerating joint, before and after the injection of stem cells:
Inactivation of macrophages and the secretion of “helper” growth factors explain the long-term anti-inflammatory effect seen with stem cells. This mechanism of action shows how stem cells may decrease pain and swelling. The above model also suggests that stem cells have a disease modifying effect, by restoring the balance of cells within the joint: there is an increase in the number of “facilitating” stem cells and a decrease in the number of “destructive” macrophages, thereby reducing the self-destruction of the joint.
Chondroseal
Chondroseal is a Gel-Type Autologous Stem Cell Implantation (GTASCI). It is an innovative product, composed of cultured autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, combined with a special natural gel that serves as a scaffold for local cartilage regeneration in the joint. The treatment of cartilage defects in the joint has been challenging because articular cartilage has a poor healing capacity as a result of its lack of vessels and nerve supply. Chondroseal represents a true innovation for the treatment of articular cartilage defects.
Features of the treatment
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