Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic progressive symptoms affecting digestion and bowel movement. Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease. However, advanced treatments such as Crohn’s stem cell therapy can help to improve the symptoms.

Also, if not managed properly, the inflammatory changes associated with Crohn’s disease can persist, putting patients at risk of complications, such as colon cancer. Crohn’s disease stem cell therapy can provide relief from the symptoms and slow down or inhibit the progression, thereby lowering the risk of complications.

This article discusses the potential benefits of stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease and addresses concerns such as possible side effects and complications to help you make informed decisions.

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Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

Why Use Stem Cells to Treat Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that develops as a result of chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. The inflammatory changes typically extend from the stomach to the anus and spread into the deeper layers of the intestinal wall. This disease can impact different areas of the gastrointestinal tract uniquely in each patient.

Some common symptoms of Crohn’s disease include:

Recurrent diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Weight loss
Fatigue
Anemia

These symptoms occur due to inflammation in the walls of the stomach and intestine, which eventually impairs the normal functions of the digestive system.

If not treated properly, the inflammation may persist and become worse affecting the deeper layers. Persistent inflammation in the rectum and colon can increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Hence, appropriate medical interventions are crucial for restoring normal digestive function and lowering the risk of complications.

Crohn’s stem cell therapy offers a promising treatment approach to promote the repair of damaged intestinal tissue and reduce inflammation, lowering the risk of complications.

By potentially alleviating symptoms, such as abdominal pain and recurrent diarrhea, and inhibiting further disease progression, Crohn’s disease stem cell therapy represents a new frontier in the management of this disease.

Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Disease — Crohn’s Disease Symptoms

What Types of Stem Cells Can Treat Crohn’s?

Crohn’s stem cell therapy typically utilizes two types of stem cells:

Mesenchymal stem cells: These cells can divide into different types of cells, including fat, bone, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Hematopoietic stem cells: These cells can divide into different types of blood cells, including the WBCs of the immune system.

The stem cells used to treat Crohn’s disease are obtained from an adult healthy donor or the patient’s own body.

At Swiss Medica, we use only mesenchymal stem cells, due to their strong anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and tissue-regenerating properties that make them especially effective for treating autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Effectively Treat Crohn’s Disease Perianal Fistulas

Stem cell clinical trials of Crohn’s disease have demonstrated that MSCs from fat tissue have the potential to close and heal fistulas.

What are the Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment for Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s stem cell therapy has the potential to transform the way this condition is treated. Some benefits of stem cell treatment for Crohn’s disease include:

Reducing inflammation

Multiple studies have demonstrated that Crohn’s disease stem cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can help relieve the symptoms of this condition, primarily by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract.

Mesenchymal stem cells for Crohn’s disease possess anti-inflammatory properties:

Suppression of the pro-inflammatory immune response
Stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines
Decrease in activity of T helper cells 17 (Th17)

This can slow down or inhibit the progression of the condition by lowering damage to the delicate lining of the stomach and intestine.

This benefit of Crohn’s stem cell therapy can be particularly effective in the management of complications such as complex perianal fistulas in most patients, including those who do not respond to other treatments.

Regeneration

The regenerative effects of stem cells can promote the formation of new tissues. This benefit of stem cells for Crohn’s disease can improve the prognosis of this condition by restoring the normal structure and functions of the affected tissues of the digestive system.

Regulation of immune system responses

Stem cell treatment for Crohn’s is believed to cause an immunomodulatory effect. This means stem cells can regulate the response of the immune cells, thereby lowering inflammation and oxidative stress in the walls of the stomach and intestine.

Stem cells can improve the signaling mechanisms associated with the immune system. This is expected to reduce the secretion of pro-inflammatory substances, such as cytokines and interleukins, by the immune system, thereby inhibiting the progression of Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s stem cell therapy is also found to block the activities of immune cells called T-helper cells, which are implicated in developing persistent inflammation in patients with a severe form of this disease.

Symptom improvement

Stem cell treatment for Crohn’s might improve the symptoms of Crohn’s disease without the severe adverse effects commonly associated with other treatments.

This benefit of stem cells for Crohn’s disease can restore the normal structural integrity of the lining of the stomach and intestine, thus improving the symptoms associated with the impairment of digestive functions and poor nutrient absorption, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and anemia.

Extended remission

Crohn’s stem cell therapy can induce long-lasting remission by lowering inflammation and promoting healing to the damaged tissues. Research has shown that more than 70% of patients receiving stem cell therapy were in remission three months after the therapy. More than 50% of patients maintained remission for up to two years following their treatment. This can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Complications prevention

The development of perianal fistulas is a common complication of Crohn’s disease. These are abnormal “tunnels” or tracts formed between the rectum or anal canal and an external opening in the skin surrounding the anus.

A recent study has revealed that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells for Crohn’s disease might effectively lower the risk of developing fistula tracts. It might also help lower the risk of other complications, such as nutritional deficiencies, by improving nutrient absorption and reducing inflammation, respectively.

How Well Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?

Crohn’s stem cell therapy offers a safe and effective approach to improving the symptoms of this condition. It is expected to work by producing anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, regenerative, and healing effects. It might inhibit or slow down the progression of the disease and lower the risk of complications.

Can Stem Cells Cure Crohn’s Disease?

Can stem cells help with Crohn’s disease? Stem cells have the potential to significantly help manage Crohn’s disease, but they are not currently considered a cure. This therapy can provide significant relief from the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications, including colorectal cancer and nutritional deficiencies.

The treatment can improve the quality of life of patients by improving digestion and relieving symptoms, such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, which may interfere with daily activities.

In addition, stem cell therapy for Crohn’s fistula can also reduce the risk of perianal fistulas and improve remission rates.

Complications and Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Disease

Stem cell therapy is generally safe and not known to cause serious side effects.

Some mild side effects associated with stem cell therapy include redness at the point of injection, nausea, and fever.

Complications associated with this treatment may include a risk of infection at the site of injection, Graft-versus-Host Disease, where the donor’s immune cells attack the recipient’s body, and allergic reactions to the substances used during stem cell procedure.

However, the risks of these effects are very low. Also, seeking treatment at a reliable clinic with expert doctors can help mitigate these risks and improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Where To Get Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s?

Here are some key avenues to explore:

Participating in clinical trials
Getting treatment at stem cell clinics
Taking consultations with healthcare providers who can guide on the most appropriate treatment

Best Stem Cell Clinic Crohn’s Stem Cell Therapy

If you are looking for where to get stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease, you can reach out to our experts at Swiss Medica. Here stem cell experts and healthcare professionals with 12+ years of experience in regenerative medicine provide the best possible treatment to manage your symptoms and protect against the potential complications of this condition.

Can stem cells help with Crohn’s disease in your case? You can talk to our experts to learn more and find out the benefits and potential side effects of stem cell transplant for Crohn’s disease for managing your condition during our free online consultation.

Why Choose Swiss Medica for Crohn’s Stem Cell Therapy?

Swiss Medica provides comprehensive treatment advantages:

Warm and welcoming environment in a clinic
Comfortable hotel-like setting
Advanced in-house laboratory
Doctors and nurses with 12+ years of experience in regenerative medicine
All-inclusive experience from travel and translation services to VIP care
Treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs
The variety of ethical stem cells
Stringent quality control at every step of the therapy
Various delivery methods for greater therapy efficiency
Convenient European location with direct flights from major cities
Success rate up to 80% and over 330 positive testimonials from our patients.

The Success Rate of Crohn’s Stem Cell Therapy at Swiss Medica

The team of skilled and experienced medical professionals at Swiss Medica carefully evaluates the medical history and develops a personalized plan of the treatment for each patient to ensure better outcomes. Up to 80% of patients at Swiss Medica report improvements. There are over 330 positive testimonials on our YouTube channel, including Crohn’s disease.

Stem Cell Therapy for Crohn’s Cost

The average stem cell therapy for Crohn’s cost depends on several factors, including the patient’s age, the duration and severity of the condition, the extent of damage in the digestive tract, and the development of complications.

You can consult our stem cells experts at Swiss Medica to know more about the cost of stem cell therapy for Crohn’s. Our doctor will evaluate your case based on your symptoms and determine the final list of procedures and costs, which range from €7,000 to €31,000.*

*The prices mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on individual factors, including the condition’s severity and the number of stem cells needed. Prices are valid as of January 2025.

Real Patient Stories

Here is the review from Armando, our patient from the United States of America, reporting significant improvements after Crohn’s stem cell treatment.

The patient was diagnosed with the disease in 1997 and treated the condition with corticosteroids, though experiencing little effect on symptoms. After he learnt about the benefits of stem cell treatment for Crohn’s disease, he decided to try the therapy at Swiss Medica clinic. Just after the treatment, the patient noticed instant improvements in his condition.

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“Within a matter of days I noticed that there was an improvement in my energy, my sleep was improved. It decreased the pain. So I noticed that the treatment I received had really begun to have an impact. I understand that there’s some time now to wait until we’ll see even more gradual improvement. With the level of care that you receive, it’s very holistic, very integrative. Very many levels where you see a lot of good changes.“

Stem Cell Research for Crohn’s Disease

Stem cell therapy for Crohn’s, particularly involving mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), has shown potential in reducing inflammation and promoting healing in the gastrointestinal tract of patients with this disease. The therapeutic effects of MSCs are attributed to their immunomodulatory properties. They can influence immune cell behavior, promoting an anti-inflammatory environment.

Stem cell clinical trials of Crohn’s disease have reported varying degrees of success with stem cell therapy in treating Crohn’s disease, particularly in cases involving complex perianal fistulas. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials indicated that stem cell therapy significantly increases the likelihood of clinical remission compared to placebo treatments.

Research on stem cells and Crohn’s disease is ongoing to define the application of stem cell therapy, including determining the optimal types of stem cells, dosing, and delivery routes.

Researchers are also investigating stem cell treatment for Crohn’s disease in combination with other therapies to improve overall treatment efficacy.

What’s the Outlook for Stem Cell Therapy and Crohn’s?

The future outlook is promising with the latest research demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of Crohn’s stem cell therapy in promoting disease remission and improving the symptoms. A recent review of clinical studies has shown that stem cell transplantation alleviated gut inflammation and improved the life quality of patients. Also, patients receiving stem cell therapy had a higher remission rate, which is critical as one-fifth of patients are unresponsive to medications, but to surgery only.

Future directions include:

Refining methods: Researchers are working to refine stem cell therapy techniques, such as optimizing cell types, dosages, and delivery methods, to improve outcomes for Crohn’s patients.
Getting long-term data: As more patients undergo stem cell therapy, long-term data will help clarify the durability of treatment effects and any potential risks that may arise over time.
Potential for broader use: If ongoing research continues to show positive results, stem cell therapy could become a more widely accepted and available treatment option for Crohn’s disease in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions About Stem Cells and Crohn’s Disease

1. What to expect during stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease?

Expected outcomes include:

Symptom relief: Many patients report a reduction in symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue, within weeks to months after treatment.
Healing of intestinal tissue: The goal is to promote healing of the damaged tissues in the intestines, potentially leading to remission.
Long-term management: Stem cell therapy is not a cure for Crohn’s, but it may lead to long-term remission or reduce the need for conventional medications.

2. Can stem cells help Crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s stem cell therapy shows promise in helping manage Crohn’s disease, particularly for patients who have not responded well to conventional treatments. Stem cell research for Crohn’s disease has shown how this therapy can be beneficial:

Modulate the immune system to reduce the chronic inflammation
Promote the regeneration of damaged tissues
Reduce the frequency and severity of Crohn’s flare-ups
Lower dependence on conventional medications
Help avoid the surgery

3. How does stem cell therapy work?

Stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease aims to reduce inflammation and promote regeneration of damaged intestinal tissue. Here’s how the process works:

Stem Cell Extraction and isolation: Stem cells are sourced either from the patient’s own body (autologous stem cells) or from a donor (allogeneic stem cells). Common sources include bone marrow, fat tissue, umbilical cord blood, and placenta.
Cell Expansion: The extracted stem cells are expanded and multiplied in a laboratory to obtain a sufficient quantity for treatment dosage.
Infusion: The expanded stem cells are then infused back into the patient, using different delivery methods, such as intravenous injection.

The stem cells cause effect through several mechanisms:

Immunomodulation: They possess immunomodulatory properties that help regulate the overactive immune response responsible for inflammation in Crohn’s disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Stem cells secrete anti-inflammatory factors, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), TSG-6, and IL-10, causing an anti-inflammatory effect.
Tissue Repair: Stem cells may support the repair of damaged intestinal tissue by creating a regenerative environment and activating the body’s natural healing processes through paracrine signaling.

Get a free online consultation

Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

List of References:

Ranasinghe, I. R., Tian, C., & Hsu, R. (2024). Crohn Disease. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
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Saadh, M. J., Mikhailova, M. V., Rasoolzadegan, S., Falaki, M., Akhavanfar, R., Gonzáles, J. L. A., Rigi, A., & Kiasari, B. A. (2023). Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)-based cell therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) therapy. European journal of medical research, 28(1), 47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01008-7
Mao, F., Tu, Q., Wang, L., Chu, F., Li, X., Li, H. S., & Xu, W. (2017). Mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic applications in inflammatory bowel disease. Oncotarget, 8(23), 38008–38021. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.16682
White, I., Yanai, H., Avni, I., Slavin, M., Naftali, T., Tovi, S., Dotan, I., & Wasserberg, N. (2024). Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for Crohn’s perianal fistula-a real-world experience. Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, 26(1), 102–109. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.16830
Wang, R., Yao, Q., Chen, W., Gao, F., Li, P., Wu, J., Yu, J., & Cao, H. (2021). Stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical and clinical studies. Stem cell research & therapy, 12(1), 463. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-021-02533-0
Zhang XM, Zhang YJ, Wang W, Wei YQ, Deng HX. Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Crohn’s Disease with Fistula. Hum Gene Ther. 2017 Jul;28(7):534-540. doi: 10.1089/hum.2016.095. PMID: 28132518.
Stephanie Watson, Minesh Khatri, MD. (2024) Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat Crohn’s Disease? https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/stem-cell-therapy-and-crohns-disease
Qiu Y, Li C, Sheng S. Efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy for Crohn’s disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024 Feb 2;15(1):28. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-03637-z. PMID: 38303054; PMCID: PMC10835827.