How Long Do Infused Stem Cells Survive in Your Body?

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combat orthopedic injuries, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, liver diseases, skin disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and respiratory disorders. But there is a question that keeps coming up: How long do these injected cells last inside the body's complex system?

There is not golden rule, it depends on what, who, how and when you apply the treatment

The survival time of infused MSCs in the body can vary depending on several factors, including the specific characteristics of the cells, the method of infusion, the condition being treated, and individual patient factors:

1. Specific characteristics of the cells: The characteristics of the cells themselves can influence their survival in the body. This includes factors such as the source of the cells, their purity, their proliferation capacity, and their immunomodulatory properties. Cells with higher viability and resistance to apoptosis have a longer survival time.

For a 55-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving low passage umbilical cord-derived MSCs, a reasonable time frame for the survival of cells would be 4 to 12 weeks. A 40-year-old patient with osteoarthritis getting the same treatment would see the time frame for the survival of cells increase to 8 to 16 weeks, or even longer. A 65-year-old patient with systemic lupus receiving high passage cells may see this time frame decreased to 2 to 4 weeks only.

1. Method of infusion: The method by which the cells are infused into the body can impact their survival. Factors such as the route of administration (e.g., intravenous, intra-articular, intrathecal), the dose administered, and the presence of any delivery vehicles can affect the distribution and retention of the cells in target tissues.

As an average, we can consider that MSCs infused in IV, Intramuscular or Subcutaneous injection usually last 3 to 6 months. For Intra-articular, Intrathecal and Intraventricular this time frame can increase to 4 to 10 months.

1. Condition being treated: The underlying condition being treated can also influence the survival of infused MSCs. In conditions characterized by inflammation, tissue damage, or immune dysregulation, the local microenvironment may be hostile to the survival of the cells. Conversely, in conditions where there is less inflammation or tissue damage, such as some forms of tissue regeneration, the survival of the cells may be more favorable.

When patients have stem cell treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetis, the average time frame for the survival of cells is usually around 4 to 8 weeks. For Crohn's Disease, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or Myocardial Infarction stem cell treatments, the cells can last 6 to 10 weeks.

1. Individual patient factors: Individual patient characteristics can play a role in the survival of infused MSCs. This includes factors such as the patient's age, overall health status, immune function, and genetic background. Patients with compromised immune systems may have a reduced ability to clear or tolerate infused cells, potentially leading to longer survival times. Additionally, variations in patient metabolism and clearance mechanisms can affect the persistence of cells in the body.

For an elderly Patient with Type 2 Diabetes and Compromised Immune System, or an adult with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Altered Metabolism, the expected survival time of the cells would be 4 to 8 weeks. If we consider a pediatric patient with Cerebral Palsy and Genetic Factors, or an adult with Traumatic Brain Injury and Immune Compromise, the time frame will be closer to 6 to 10 weeks

In general, studies suggest that MSCs can survive for a few weeks after infusion. However, it's important to note that the main therapeutic effects of MSCs often occur through their paracrine actions, where they release various factors that modulate the immune response, promote tissue repair, and reduce inflammation. Even if the MSCs themselves do not persist for an extended period, their therapeutic effects are still observed.

Stem cells last for a short time, but their therapeutic effects last much longer

Moreover, in the broader scope of stem cell therapy, the efficacy endures beyond the mere survival of infused cells. Post stem cell therapy, patients often undergo a continuum of benefits as the stem cells persist in repairing the target area over time. For instance, in cases of shoulder arthritis, stem cell therapy may provide relief for up to one year as the injected stem cells actively work on rejuvenating damaged tissues. While certain patients may notice initial improvements within three to six weeks post-procedure, the complete benefits may unfold gradually over subsequent months.

Take shoulder arthritis, for instance: conventional treatments typically involve pain medications, massages, topical pain relief applications, lifestyle adjustments, and alternating hot and cold compresses. While these methods might alleviate acute pain episodes and offer significant relief for some individuals, they often prove insufficient in addressing long-term degenerative conditions such as arthritis and soft tissue injuries, which tend to deteriorate progressively. Consequently, many individuals grappling with these conditions eventually resort to surgical interventions.

While surgery may indeed be effective for certain shoulder injuries and other joint ailments, it also entails a slew of adverse effects including a painful recovery period, susceptibility to infections, and the necessity for potent pain medication post-operation. In contrast, a significant proportion of individuals opting for stem cell therapy to address their joint issues typically begin experiencing relief within a few weeks post-treatment, once the injection sites in the shoulder have healed.