Cell therapy refers to a medical procedure that involves the introduction of cellular material into a patient through injection or transplantation to provide a therapeutic effect to the body or a particular part of the body. Cell therapy opens up a world of therapeutic applications that are continuously being researched and trialed for wide human applications. The wide application of cell therapies is their specific effectiveness in regenerating healthy tissue in the body that may be used in the restoration of organs and bone tissue. The field of cell therapy is vast and ever-expanding and can open a pandora’s box of possibilities in regenerative medicine.

The vast field of regenerative medicine

Regenerative medicine covers medical treatments that involve the process of healing damaged tissue by regenerating new tissue. This is used to restore the function of organs, specific tissues or cells. Stem cell therapies are continuously being explored for their application to treat and aid the treatment of severe diseases such as auto-immune disorders, and cancer, and to counter the adverse effects of cancer treatment.

We shall deep dive into the marvels of bone cell therapy that has begun revolutionizing the way doctors treat their patients for several ailments ranging from degenerate joints to cancers. But first, let's understand the basics of bone cells and how they work.

Understanding bone cells

Bone comprises four cell types - osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and osteoprogenitor (or osteogenic) cells. The osteogenic cells are capable of mitosis, a process by which a cell replicates itself. Immature osteogenic cells are found in the bone marrow as well. When the cells differentiate they turn into osteoblasts that form new bone. Osteoclasts break down old worn-out born and are responsible for the resorption of old bone cells. Osteocytes are mature bone cell that helps maintain bone structure. The osteogenic cells or osteoprogenitor cells are stem cells that play a pivotal role in bone repair and growth.

Stem cells used for therapy

Now these stem cells, under the right conditions in a laboratory, can be used for various purposes in regenerative medicine. Stem cells can be sourced from embryonic cells, adult stem cells, or adult stem cells that have been made to act more like embryonic stem cells. For the purpose of this discussion, we shall only take into account adult stem cells. It is also to be noted that there is continuing research into the use of adult stem cells in regenerative medicine.

Bone cell therapy

The largest scope of interest in regenerative medicine is in the treatment of various bone disorders. Bone cell therapy is changing the way the medical fraternity treats some common as well as painful bone disorders and diseases. Some common applications include bone degenerative disease that comes with old age, as well as cancers of the bone that are known to affect even children and adolescents.

Bone repair is generally a complex process. Several cell types are involved in the bone formation mechanism that activates mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) that are precursors to osteogenic cells. MSCs can differentiate into bone tissue cells, cartilage cells, and adipose cells, depending on laboratory influences induced. MSC for bone cell therapy is procured from cultured bone marrow cells.

Bone cell therapy and osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most prevalent form of bone disease. In India, there is an estimated 60 million people that are affected by osteoporosis, of which 80% are women. Osteoporosis is a bone disease where the bone’s mass and density have deteriorated causing the bone to become ‘porous’ and brittle. Bone constantly goes through wear and tear. However, when new bone creation does not keep up with bone removal and resorption, the bone loses density and mass and becomes weak where even mild stress can cause major damage to the bone. And since the bone is diseased, the bone is unable to heal properly on its own. Bone cell therapy is being used to aid the healing and treatment of osteoporosis on its own or as a strategy to support other treatments.

Bone cell therapy and osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common arthritic chronic disorders where there is articular cartilage degeneration. Traditionally, the disease was managed using medication and physiotherapy and treated with surgery. In recent times, bone cell therapy has been used to regenerate cartilage cells and restore joint function.

Bone cell therapy and osteonecrosis

Avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis refers to bone death caused by the disruption of blood flow to bone tissue essential for bone regeneration. Osteonecrosis has been associated with trauma/ injury, steroid use, alcoholism, and radiotherapy. Traditionally, a total joint replacement was known to be the only way to treat osteonecrosis till recent advancements in bone cell therapy. Bone cell therapy can be used before the advanced progression of avascular necrosis and restore function and mobility of the affected joint, generally the hip.

Regrow Biosciences: India’s own biotech company offering cell therapy

Regrow Biosciences is India’s first biotech company to receive market authorization and commercial sale license for OSSGROW® Bone Cell Therapy and CARTIGROW® Cartilage Cell Therapy in 2017. Regrow Biosciences is dedicated to the research and development of stem cell-based therapies to treat degenerative and life-threatening diseases.

OSSGROW® Bone Cell Therapy is a two-step procedure that first extracts bone marrow from the patient. This is then taken to a laboratory to develop a bone marrow culture. This is then transplanted back into the affected area of the patient. OSSGROW® Bone Cell Therapy has been effectively used to treat patients affected by osteonecrosis.

If you want to learn more about Regrow Biosciences and their innovations in bone cell therapy please visit www.regrow.in.

Conclusion

Bone cell therapy consists of extracting bone marrow cells to create a culture that is then transplanted back into the affected area of the body. Bone cell therapy is used to treat common bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis. Research in the area of stem cell therapy continues to explore its application in the treatment of autoimmune disorders, cancers, and the treatment to reverse the adverse effects of cancer treatments.

FAQs

 Is bone cell therapy used to treat bone disorders?

Bone cell therapy is an effective regenerative medical treatment for bone disorders such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis.

Does bone cell therapy use embryonic stem cells?

Bone cell therapy is an autologous stem cell transplant. It uses the patient’s own healthy cells to treat an affected area. It does not use embryonic stem cells.

Is bone cell therapy available in India?

Bone cell therapy is used by doctors across India. If you are consulting with a doctor about your bone disorder, you can ask about bone cell therapy and how it may be able to help your condition. OSSGROW® Bone Cell Therapy and CARTIGROW® Cartilage Cell Therapy are stem cell-based therapies targetting specific bone and cartilage-related problems that have been developed by an Indian biotech company called Regrow Biosciences.

Is bone cell therapy the same as stem cell therapy?

Bone cell therapy is an autologous stem cell-based therapy targeting specific areas of the body that comprise bone and cartilage cells. Stem cell therapy is a larger field of regenerative medicine that has wider applications including organ repair and cancer research.

Are there prerequisites for receiving bone cell therapy?

Each case needs to be studied closely by your consulting doctor to weigh out the prognosis of any therapy or treatment proposed. Unlike major surgery as in the case of joint replacement, this procedure is non-invasive and requires a fraction of the time to heal. So in general, most people are usually in a better position for bone cell therapy than major surgery.