Differences exist between treatments with stem cells from bone marrow and from fat tissue

Firstly, it is helpful to understand differences of the stem cells from each source.

Potential and quantity:
Bone marrow has a natural concentration of hematopoietic stem cells. These cells create blood that is transferred to the blood stream of the body, and can be combined with a mixture of growth factors to create millions of pluripotent progenitor cells. The quantity of stem cells extracted from the bone marrow is defined by volume when the doctor performs the extraction. Because the bone marrow regenerates constantly, it is possible to perform periodical extractions according to the requirements of the procedure without causing side effects to the patient.

Stem cells from fat tissue are cells distributed on the tissue renewing the same tissue where they are located, even that they have a multipotent ability, they have to go thru transportation from one tissue to another to be differentiated into another cell line if capable. The extraction volume is limited to the tissue of that particular patient and has the option of additional extraction procedures in other areas of the body.

Availability
Access to bone marrow requires intervention to a bone. This procedure is invasive and according to the location of the extraction could be painful. Local anesthesia is used to carry out the extraction. The extraction could be performed at any time on any person as long as normal operation procedures and sterility cautions are performed. Use of bone marrow has some limitations for allogenic procedures (See compatibility next) when searching for a compatible donor.

Access to stem cells from fat tissue is an invasive procedure, with anesthesia and with the pros and cons of a liposuction. The extraction should be made at a hospital; it can be done on any point of time as long as is executed with the standard medical practices of surgery.

Compatibility
In both cases compatibility works similarly. When the donor and the recipient are the same person (autologous), compatibility is a complete match. If the donor and the recipient are different (allogeneic), HLA compatibility tests must be performed before any procedure.

Manipulation and storage
A collection procedure must be performed for any source of stem cells. The more complicated the procedure, the higher the probability of contamination of the stem cells or of collecting a reduced amount. Bone marrow is not processed to extract the stem cells needed for storage or transport, preventing reduction of the amount of stem cells. Fat tissue generally goes through a separation of its components, and it is cultured to produce stem cells. If they are going to be stored for future use they also go thru a preservation process. Some volume of stem cells will be lost due to the nature of these processes.

ProgenCell performs only autologous treatments, performing the infusion immediately after extraction and activation of stem cells. These treatments do not require the separation of blood into components, nor storage, transport or cryopreservation, eliminating the possibility of contamination and decrement in the cellular quantity and viability introduced by these steps. ProgenCell uses total bone marrow for the infusion, infusing not only stem cells but also the growth factors and all components of the bone marrow.

Frequent Uses
Fat stem cells began to be used recently after discovering the potential of this type of cell and after searching for tissues as a source of stem cells. Their use in treatment of degenerative diseases is uncommon and still experimental. Few hospitals worldwide are currently conducting research with these treatments.

Bone marrow has been used in procedures since the 1950´s in hundreds of thousands of cases to date. It is commonly used for the treatment of hematological malignancies, congenital immunodeficiencies and others. It does not make sense economically to have bone marrow banks because of the cost required to harvest and store the cells, in addition to the invasive procedure through which the donor must undergo. That is why the extraction only takes place when a patient requires the cells and a compatible donor is located. Some societies have enormous lists of donors with known HLA markers, facilitating the search of a compatible donor for the patient.

Conclusion: Experience with bone marrow is greater than with fat cells. Because of the flexibility of multiple extractions of bone marrow it is a “limitless” source of stem cells. For autologous use, the availability and compatibility are not obstacles. Because ProgenCell performs extraction of bone marrow and immediate infusion, eliminates any need for handling, storage and transport.

IMPORTANT: If you are considering a procedure with stem cells from any source, it is important to take the following considerations:

1. Know the source, the donor. When an allogeneic procedure is performed, there is a high risk of tissue rejection causing Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD). The HLA compatibility of the donor is very important, as well as having comprehensive blood tests to screen for infectious diseases (CMV, Hepatitis C, etc) and a complete clinical history record to avoid donors with predispositions to hereditary diseases.
2. Supplier. In order to avoid complications in a procedure, the product is important; therefore it must a standard of quality such as Good Manufacturing Procedures. Otherwise the cells could be unusable if they were not handled carefully under these high standards during the separation process, packaging, cryopreservation, transport, thawing, etc.
3. Amount. Tissue regeneration requires a minimum amount of stem cells to be able to repair damaged tissues. The amount needed is tied to the weight of the patient and other medical factors. A single cord-blood unit may not have enough stem cells to treat an adult. There has been some success with technology being developed to cultivate these cells ex vivo, growing the number available.