How Successful Is Stem Cell Therapy for COPD?

Key Takeaways

• COPD is a progressive disease that gradually restricts airflow to the lungs, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and organ damage.
• There is no cure for COPD, and patients face limited treatment options outside of medication, oxygen therapy, and lung transplants.
• Stem cell therapy may help treat COPD symptoms by reducing inflammation and regenerating damaged lung and organ tissue.
• The treatment can help patients breathe easier, regain lost abilities, and see improved organ functionality.

COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a debilitating condition that progressively worsens with time and can prevent patients from completing routine tasks. Stem cell therapy for COPD is a promising new treatment option that can help relieve symptoms by regenerating damaged tissue and reducing chronic inflammation. 

Understanding COPD and Its Challenges

COPD is one of the most common chronic pulmonary diseases worldwide, affecting 14 million people in the U.S. (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2024). It’s caused by smoking, exposure to air pollution, and the genetic condition alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and increased mucus production. Constriction in the airways limits the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can damage organs by depriving them of essential nutrients.

There is no cure for COPD, and symptoms typically worsen without treatment. The best way to stop the condition is to stop smoking and inhaling polluted air, but the damage is often irreversible. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms may be prescribed a bronchodilator inhaler to relax the lung muscles and anti-inflammatory medications to ease swelling. More severe cases may require oxygen therapy, where air is pumped through nose tubes or a face mask. If symptoms do not improve, patients may need surgery, which can include stents, a bullectomy, or lung volume reduction surgery to remove damaged tissue, or a lung transplant that replaces the damaged lung with a healthy one.

Conventional treatments for COPD can reduce the patient’s quality of life by making them dependent on oxygen therapy and inhalers. Transplants and surgery can cause complications, including donor organ rejection, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the new lung. Transplant patients need to take immune system suppressants for the rest of their lives to reduce their risk of rejection. 

What Is Stem Cell Therapy for COPD?

Stem cells are known for their ability to signal repair in various tissue types and activate the body’s immune system. Stem cell therapy for COPD uses these properties to clear inflammation caused by breathing in toxins and regenerate tissue damaged by low oxygen blood levels. Every organ has stem cells designed to regulate cell regeneration and immunological function. However, COPD can damage these cells, limiting the body’s ability to remove toxins and self-heal as cells age and die.

With few effective treatment options for COPD, the medical community is exploring how stem cell therapy benefits patients affected by the disease (Kokturk et al., 2018). Various types of stem cells can be used to help treat COPD symptoms.

Adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), can be found in bone marrow and adipose tissue. They are multipotent and can signal repair in six to eight tissue types. To treat COPD, MSCs need to be extracted from the patient’s bone marrow or lungs and then transplanted back into their body, which increases the risk of complications.

Embryonic stem cells, or pluripotent stem cells, are much younger by comparison and can signal repair over 220 cell types. They are cultivated from ethically sourced donated blastocysts, or early-stage embryos, and do not need to be extracted from the patient, minimizing the potential risks. 

Pluripotent stem cells may be more effective at treating COPD symptoms than MSC therapy because they can signal repair on a broader variety of cell types, taking a more holistic approach. Low oxygen blood levels can damage tissues and organs beyond the lungs. Embryonic stem cells are the only treatment option that targets all the issues associated with the disease. 

Success Rates & Outcomes of Stem Cell Therapy for COPD

Studies have shown that stem cell therapy can help relieve COPD symptoms better than conventional treatments. In one case, a 52-year-old male reported heavy coughing and wheezing at night amid increased shortness of breath after 30 years of smoking. He underwent embryonic stem cell therapy and reported decreased coughing and mucus 101 days after treatment. His sleeping improved, and he could return to work full-time and walk long distances (Shroff, 2015).

In a case from China involving 20 men with COPD, half were treated with bronchial P63+ stem cells cultivated from the lungs. The cells were then transplanted back into the patients. After 24 weeks, the patients who received stem cell therapy reported an 18% increase in gas transfer capacity, while the control group decreased by 17%. The transplant patients could also walk over 30 meters farther in six minutes than before (Anderer, 2024). 

The outcomes showed a dramatic increase in the patients’ quality of life. They had fewer COPD symptoms and could gradually increase their physical abilities.

Stem Cell Therapy for COPD in Mexico

Mexico is one of the world’s premier destinations for stem cell therapy. It has a lower cost of living and more affordable treatment options, while maintaining a high standard of care by adhering to international standards and guidelines. The country is also accessible to Americans seeking alternative treatment methods not yet approved in the U.S. 

The price of stem cell therapy in Mexico costs between $1,000 and $1,500 per stem cell IV, while European clinics often charge as much as $5,000 to $10,000 per injection. Patients with COPD typically need four weeks of therapy, which includes 20 stem cell IVs (Stemaid Institute, 2023).

Insurance doesn’t typically cover stem cell therapy for COPD. Patients should consider the total cost of treatment, including all travel arrangements, without sacrificing quality.

Why Choose Stemaid Institute for COPD Treatment?

Stemaid Institute is one of the leading providers of stem cell therapy for COPD. We have reported positive outcomes for many individuals with severe lung scarring, bronchitis, and emphysema. We provide holistic treatment options for chronic conditions by targeting the underlying causes of symptoms. We exclusively use fresh pluripotent stem cells and never freeze samples to maximize the healing properties. Every IV contains 20 million stem cells and is administered in a safe, clean environment under the supervision of a trained specialist. We personalize treatment methods to target specific symptoms and follow up with our patients after treatment to track their progress for research purposes. 

Next Steps: Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You?

Stem cell therapy may relieve symptoms in patients with COPD. While outcomes vary, the procedure has no serious side effects or reported health risks. Patients should consult with their doctor and research the full cost and potential benefits of stem cell therapy. Each type of therapy features unique considerations. Embryonic stem cell therapy does not require surgery and leaves nothing in the body to minimize the risk of complications. We only need a simple skin biopsy to pair the sample to your DNA.

Schedule a free consultation with Stemaid Institute to learn if stem cell therapy is right for your COPD.

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective is stem cell therapy for COPD compared to inhalers and oxygen therapy?

While outcomes vary, cell therapy for COPD is generally more effective at treating the underlying problems associated with the disease than inhalers and oxygen therapy. Devices that pump more oxygen into the body cannot regenerate damaged lung tissue and must be used regularly to be effective. Stem cell therapy can help signal repair in the lungs while reducing inflammation.

How much does stem cell therapy for COPD cost?

The cost of stem cell therapy varies by provider and location. In Mexico, therapy typically costs between $1,000 and $1,500 per stem cell IV. We recommend 20 stem cell IVs over the course of four weeks.

Are pluripotent stem cells safer or more effective than adult stem cells for COPD?

Unlike adult stem cells, pluripotent stem cells are not extracted from the body. They are derived from donated blastocysts and can be paired to the patient using a simple skin biopsy. Pluripotent stem cells also signal repair in more cell types than adult stem cells to help treat a broader range of symptoms. 

How long do results from stem cell therapy for COPD last?

Stem cell therapy benefits can last several months or years. The results may be permanent if patients resume an active lifestyle and avoid toxins.

What makes Stemaid Institute different from other stem cell clinics?

Stemaid Institute is an expert in pluripotent stem cells and only uses fresh, never frozen, samples. We have completed thousands of successful procedures, helping patients overcome their chronic conditions.