Stem cells extracted and cultured from the patient’s fat are used
Therapeutic effects of autologous adipose-derived stem cells
- Regulation of the immune system
Regulates and suppresses the immune system. It is expected to be effective for allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. - angiogenesis
Improves blood circulation by creating new blood vessels. It is expected to be effective for arteriosclerosis and other diseases. - anti-inflammatory action
It reduces inflammation in the body and is expected to have anti-aging effects on arthritis, skin, and blood vessels. - antioxidant action
Decreases active oxygen and prevents cellular aging. - tissue repair
Helps regenerate and repair damaged or dysfunctional tissues. - anti-apoptotic action
It prevents apoptotic effects, a type of cell death.
What is Stem cell therapy from autologous fat?
In “autologous adipose-derived stem cell therapy,” stem cells are first extracted from the patient’s fat and cultured to increase the amount of “stem cells themselves” and ” cytokines*1″ secreted by the stem cells. Next, the increased stem cells and cytokines are returned to the patient through intravenous infusion or injection.
Adipose-derived stem cells have the ability to differentiate into other types of cells besides adipocytes, such as nerve cells, internal organs like the digestive tract, muscle and bone, and are expected to repair damaged or aging cells. In addition, cytokines secreted by stem cells act directly on surrounding cells and are expected to have various therapeutic effects such as immune system regulation, angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and tissue repair effects.
Furthermore, adipose stem cells are characterized by fewer ethical issues and carcinogenic risks compared to ES and iPS cells, and a smaller burden on the body for harvesting compared to bone marrow stem cells. Adipose stem cells can be used safely and easily, have strong proliferative potential, and are characterized by low proliferation-related aging effects and reduced bone differentiation potential.
*1) What is cytokine?
Cells release various types of proteins called “cytokines” into the culture medium to activate, grow, and proliferate themselves. Cytokines play an important role in the functional recovery of damaged tissues and cells in the body, and can be expected to restore cells that have deteriorated due to aging.
Takahiro Ochiya, M.D., a world-renowned authority on cancer treatment research and regenerative medicine, serves as advisor.
Professor of Tokyo Medical University / medical doctor
Head of Molecular Cell Therapy Research Department, National Cancer Center Research Institute
Awards, etc.
- February 21, 2020: Awarded the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund Academic Award for “Establishment and Practical Application of Early Diagnosis of Cancer by MicroRNA in Body Fluid”.
- January 2020 Web of science announces the world’s most influential scientific researchers and names 2019 Highly Cited Researchers.
- In September 2017, he was selected by the Nobel Committee as one of the 10 most notable researchers in the world, the only one in Japan to give a special invited lecture.
We are grateful to Professor Ochiya for his endorsement of our “regenerative stem cell therapy” and “super premium immunotherapy/therapy” for cancer and other preventive medicine, and for his cooperation as a medical technical advisor.
Characteristics of autologous adipose-derived stem cell therapy
1. high stem cell content
Adipose-derived MSCs*2 in adipose tissue are 500 times more abundant than MSCs in bone marrow (1). While bone marrow-derived MSCs can only be harvested in limited quantities, adipose-derived MSCs can be harvested in large quantities from adipose tissue throughout the body.
2. high levels of various factors (cytokines) produced
Adipose-derived MSCs produce more growth factors (regeneration-promoting factors) such as HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which contribute to organ repair, than those derived from bone marrow (2).
3. possible to multiply even for the elderly
The number of MSCs decreases with age. This is not the only effect of aging; it has also been reported that bone marrow-derived MSCs proliferate at a slower rate with age (3). In contrast, adipose-derived MSCs, even those obtained from the adipose tissue of elderly individuals, can proliferate without problems.
4. less burden on the patient
Because the adipose tissue is close to the surface of the body, the burden on the patient is minimized in the collection process.
The Disadvantages of Stem Cell Therapy
- Because of its cutting-edge nature, evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is scarce.
- One case of pulmonary embolism has been reported in the past, although the causal relationship to treatment is unknown.
*We monitor and treat with the utmost care and safety.
For those who are not eligible for treatment
For the safety of our patients, we have established the following criteria for the implementation of regenerative medicine at our clinic. Patients who fall under any of these categories are not eligible to receive treatment. Please be aware of this.
- Positive test results for infectious diseases (HCV, HBV, HIV, HTLV-1, syphilis serology)
- Those with allergic reactions to local anesthetics, penicillin, streptomycin, or amphotericin B used during culture.
- Patients with severe cardiac, hematological, pulmonary, renal, or hepatic function diseases, brain diseases, psychiatric diseases, malignant tumors, or diabetes mellitus
- Patients with severe diabetes mellitus (HbA1c >7.0%), severe heart failure, renal failure (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min), or other serious organ damage
- Age less than 20 years old or over 80 years old
- Pregnant women and nursing mothers
- Inability to consent or inability to obtain consent from a surrogate
- The patient has not received a written explanation of consent for this treatment and has not given his/her free will consent in writing (i.e., the patient’s surrogate has not given his/her consent in writing).
- When the doctor in charge judges that it is not indicated by interview, examination, etc.
Why we are a qualified medical facility
Officially obtained a regenerative medicine donation plan number from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
A team of professors from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Keio University Hospital is in charge of harvesting the patient’s own fat.
We provide safe, low-impact treatment by highly skilled physicians.
Business alliance with a specified cell processing facility (FA3190002) compliant with the new law “Ensuring the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, etc.” with the highest level of safety and culture technology in Japan
*2) What are MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells)?
One of the stem cells that humans possess, MSCs are found in various locations throughout the body, including bone marrow, fat, and skin. The properties of MSCs are also slightly different depending on their location. MSCs are originally defined as cells that can differentiate into fat, bone, and cartilage, but they can also differentiate into certain other tissue cells (liver cells, nerve cells, etc.). In addition, secretions from stem cells can diffuse into the surrounding area and act directly on neighboring cells (paracrine effect), and various therapeutic effects can be expected, including immune system regulation, angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptotic effects, and tissue repair effects.
References
(1) Ohgushi H, Caplan AI. Stem cell technology and boice-ramics: from cell to gene engineering. J Biomed Mater Res. 1999;48(6):913-27.
(2) Iwashima S, Ozaki T et al. Novel culture system of mesenchymal stromal cells from human subcutaneous adipose tissue. Stem Cells Dev. 2009 May;18(4):533-43.
(3) Mareschi K, Ferrero I et al. Expansion of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from pediatric and adult donor bone marrow. J Cell Biochem. 2006 Mar 1;97(4):744-54.
Treatment Flow
prescribing medicine
Administered intravenously (ex: 50-200 million stem cells* in 1ml).
observation
We will visit and follow up approximately 60 days after the initial administration.
initial medical examination
Counseling and explanation of treatment will be provided by your physician. Prior to treatment, eligibility tests (mainly blood tests) will be performed.
fat harvesting
The physician will collect fat from the patient under local anesthesia (about 10 grams). A blood sample (60 ml) is also drawn at the same time to be used for cell culture.
cell culture
The cells will be cultured for approximately 3-4 weeks at a specified cell processing facility with the highest level of safety and culture technology. After the culture is completed, we will contact you regarding the schedule for administration.
Charge
Stem cell therapy from autologous fat
| Number of times (total number of cells in culture) | Fee (JPY, excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| 1 time (from 50 to 200 million pieces) | 2,100,000 |
| 2 times (from 100 to 400 million pieces) | [2%OFF] 4,116,000 |
| 3 times (150 to 600 million pieces) | [2%OFF] 6,174,000 |
| 4 times (from 200 to 800 million pieces) | [2%OFF] 8,232,000 |
| 5 times (250 million to 1 billion pieces) | [5%OFF] 9,975,000 |
| 6 times (from 300 million to 1.2 billion pieces) | [7%OFF] 11,718,000 |
| 7 times (350 million to 1.4 billion pieces) | [7%OFF] 13,671,000 |
| 8 times (from 400 million to 1.6 billion pieces) | [7％OFF] 15,624,000 |
| 9 times (450 million to 1.8 billion pieces) | [7%OFF] 17,577,000 |
| 10 times (up to 500 million to 2 billion pieces) | [10%OFF] 18,900,000 |
Option: Culture supernatant (exosomes) ( Can be made only once in total.)
Cytokines and growth factors produced when mesenchymal stem cells are cultured. It is highly effective in repairing and regenerating tissues.
| Number of times (total number of cells in culture) | Fee (JPY, excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| [Optional] Culture supernatant (exosomes) Created only once | 300,000 |
- The number of cells administered is limited to a maximum of 200 million cells per dose.
- The cryopreservation period of the collected fat is 3 years from the date of collection.
Culture fees include various blood tests for the first year and frozen storage fees for the second and subsequent years.
The treatment fee includes all expenses for autologous adipose-derived stem cell therapy [cell processing technology fee, procedure fee <collection fee: 275,000 yen (excluding tax), administration>, re-examination fee, etc.].
The above amounts include fees for procedures using stem cells, as well as whole body blood collection, tumor marker blood collection, and screening infection blood collection tests. - We cannot accept changes from the once-decided number of times. Please understand this.
- Additional tests other than those listed above, if necessary, will be charged separately.
- In order to ensure better results, the course menu purchased will be valid for 3 years. Please understand this in advance.
- All of the above fees are only applicable to patients who present a valid Japanese health insurance card and who are fluent in Japanese and have no difficulty with the counseling process. For other patients, please refer to the estimate after the counseling.
Autologous adipose-derived stem cell culture supernatant (exosome) treatment
| Dosing Method | Fee (JPY, excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| intravenous drip By injecting the active ingredients directly into blood vessels, the active ingredients act directly on the body. | 60,000 |
| ion implantation This method delivers active ingredients deep into the skin by applying a weak electric current. | 80,000 |
| mesotherapy This method delivers the active ingredients directly to the skin and scalp by local injection, and produces a quick effect. | 100,000 |
| Inhalation (nebulizer) This is a method of taking in active ingredients through the nose and throat. | 80,000 |
| Undiluted solution (home care) This is a method of using stem cell culture supernatant (exosome) solution as home care. | 50,000 |
| Nasal spray (home care) This nasal spray contains stem cell culture supernatant (exosomes) plus “alpha lipoic acid,” a high antioxidant ingredient. | 90,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma) and PRP therapy?
PRP is the supernatant fluid obtained when blood is collected and centrifuged, and is not cultured. Therefore, unlike stem cell therapy, it contains almost no growth factors or cytokines and is not expected to have cell activation effects (risks of skin problems such as inflammation have also been reported).
