Is Stem Cell Therapy Appropriate for Autism?

Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies

Regenerative medicine is a class of medicine geared toward restoring tissue or organs that may have been damaged. “Cellular therapy” is a broad term that refers to treatments that involve the use, modification, or support of cells to restore or improve function in the body. Stem cell treatment falls under both categories–regenerative medicine and cellular therapy–along with a variety of other therapies such as exosome therapy, mitochondrial cellular therapies, peptide therapy, IV nutrition, and autologous cell therapy.

What Is Stem Cell Therapy?

There is a growing number of stem cell therapies. Sometimes they are categorized by their source, i.e., from where the stem cells were harvested, or their cell line, or the types of conditions they help treat or prevent. They have been shown to lower inflammation, regulate the immune system, and support tissue/cellular regeneration. The handling of stem cells can influence people’s comfort with their use, their perceived value of safety and efficacy, and be a source of controversy. A company that offers stem cells should have proof of meeting GMP (Good Manufacturing Processes) for quality assurance.

Childhood conditions such as autism are often accompanied by symptoms of inflammation, immune dysregulation and body dysfunctions that can be difficult to treat. Although stem cell therapy is less widely used, or available, in pediatrics, it is becoming more popular. Some parents are now seeking stem cell therapy for autism and other conditions. When considering stem cell therapy as a viable or effective option for yourself or a loved one, it may be helpful to familiarize yourself with the different types and conditions treated.

Where Do Stem Cells Come from?

Human stem cells generally come from bone marrow, peripheral blood and the umbilical cord. However, there are many sources and types of stems cells in use for different purposes (including plant stem cells high in antioxidants). Below is a list of the more well-known human stem cells and their uses:

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) come from bone marrow, adipose (fat) tissue, or umbilical cord. They are anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and tissue-regenerating. They have been used for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to reduce neuroinflammation and improve communication between brain and immune cells, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic injuries such as osteoarthritis, tendon and ligament repair, and chronic inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Neural Stem Cells (NSC) come from fetal brain tissue or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and can differentiate into neurons and glial cells. The are commonly used for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, and spinal cord injuries to support nerve regeneration, and for stroke recovery to promote neural repair.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCT) come from the bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood and form all blood cell types. They are are used to “reset” the immune system, including their use in blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, for severe autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis, and genetic blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
• Perinatal and Umbilical Cord-Derived Stem Cells come from Wharton’s jelly, cord blood, or cord tissue and are rich in MSCs and growth factors, with less risk of immune rejection. They are more commonly used in conditions like cerebral palsy to support motor and brain function, for autism and developmental delays for their anti-inflammatory and neuro-supportive mechanisms, arthritis and joint pain to regenerate and support, wound healing and tissue regeneration
• Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) are harvested from adult cells (e.g., skin or blood) and reprogrammed back into stem cells. They can become almost any cell type, potentially customizable to the individual (mostly involved in research and clinical trials for now). These may become useful in addressing genetic disorders, modeling and potentially correcting mutations, and retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, as well as cardiac repair post heart attack, or diabetes to create insulin-producing beta cells.
• Adult or Adipose-Derived Stem Cells come from bone marrow or fat tissue (via liposuction) and are like MSCs, with regenerative and anti-inflammatory benefits. These cells are more widely used in the areas of osteoarthritis and joint injuries, chronic pain and inflammation, skin rejuvenation, wound healing, and Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory conditions.
• Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) come from three-to-four-day-old embryos which may hold the most powerful medical potential, but they are also highly controversial for ethical and religious reasons.

Can Parents Trust Stem Cells?

This is a serious question for informed consumers and based on multiple factors, including educational resources, GMP status (see above), accessibility and possible travel costs, along with accessibility of alternative therapies with similar benefits. Doctors and other healthcare providers do not have the final say in whether a family chooses to proceed; parents must decide which direction they will take with each child. Such decisions can feel overwhelming, like stepping out on a limb and hoping for the best. Sometimes other parents who have taken a decisive step can provide helpful insights too. Parents who have children with autism often must work hard to find hopeful solutions for their child’s symptoms. This is true when it comes to stem cell therapy too.

Are Stem Cells Appropriate for Autism?

Keep in mind that children with autism are not all the same even though they share the same diagnoses and some of the same symptomology. Every child with autism is different with different genetics, different SNPs, different nervous system development, different etiology of symptoms (possibly hypo- or hyperactive or a combination), different capabilities, different developmental milestones, and so on and so forth. As the saying goes, “if you meet one child with autism, you have met one child with autism.”

Genetic factors, immune factors, sensory issues, nervous-system tolerance, a child’s ability to stay calm and still, or tolerate injections, or cooperate or follow directions etc. these are all operative in a decision like doing stem cell therapy. Moreover, the right stem cell therapy may not be available in the United States or Canada; a family might have to fly to another country or a very different environment than the child is accustomed to being in.

As with many challenging neurologic conditions, parents of children with autism must also consider a whole host of factors that could impact the efficacy of a specialized therapy such as stem cells:

• Maintaining the best diet
• Interrupting or forgoing other therapies, or adding others that are synergistic
• Dealing with the increase of sensory overload
• Making sure the child can sleep at night and eat during the day, or at best cooperate, and the list goes on and on.

What Are Stromal Cells?

One type of adult stem cells called Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are also known as Mesenchymal Stromal Cells due to their capabilities of presenting as multipotent stromal cells which can separate into various types of cells such as bone, cartilage, fat, cells and connective tissues. It is this unique factor of MSCs that gives this type of stem cell the notoriety of tissue repair and regeneration which is why they are important to regenerative medicine.

Why Mesenchymal Stem Cells?

MSCs are very distinct stem cells with very special properties, and they can effectuate change which makes them the most sought-after stem cells for autism. There are several characteristics of these stem cells that separate them from other stem cells. Firstly, they can be isolated and cultured very easily from various tissues like bone marrow, adipose (fat or lipid) tissue, and umbilical cord which makes them accessible. Their availability in many types of tissues is another positive reason why mesenchymal stem cells are the stem cell of choice. The fact that they are adult stem cells is yet another positive factor because they do not raise any ethical issues as with embryonic stem cells.

MSCs also have many properties to modulate the immune system which is a very important factor for children diagnosed with autism. Furthermore, MSCs have a very low risk of rejection by the immune system. Due to all these unique factors and their potential to repair tissues and organs that have been damaged, MSCs have been instrumental for regenerative medicine. MSCs are also used in many orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis and bone fractures. Similarly, the cardiovascular field is looking at the potential of MSCs to repair damaged heart tissue. Equally importantly, MSCs are being investigated and applied to treat neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, and other neurodegenerative conditions in many countries other than the United States.

Autism and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

What is so special about MSCs for children with autism? There are several reasons why MSCs may possibly be the most effective choice of stem cell therapy for children with autism. MSCs:

• Can stimulate a new generation of blood cells as required
• May increase cognitive functioning
• Can modulate the immune system
• Can repair immune system deregulation
• Can stop the neuro-destructive process typical to autism in the brain
• Can promote neuronal growth and connectivity
• Can stimulate vascular stimulating growth factors
• May increase language and language development May improve social awareness
• May improve personal growth and development
• May increase interest in peer relationships
• May improve emotional responses
• May increase overall better quality of life

Looking at all these benefits can undoubtedly inspire autism parents to rethink what they are doing with their child with autism and possibly consider mesenchymal stem cells. Undoubtedly, it does seem very promising; however, many parents have travelled overseas to Panama and other locations outside of the United States and Canada and returned disappointed when their child did not make all the gains that they had expected, especially when there is such an extensive financial commitment involved.

Even though there are never any guarantees with any therapy for autism, what is most important for parents is to be aware of the many issues involved when planning and deciding. I strongly urge every parent possibly contemplating this therapy for their child to please read this article that informs parents of exactly what to be prepared for.

Need for Studies

Another concern that needs attention is the fact that there is more and more research coming out about the possible long-term risks associated with this therapy. Long-term studies and observations need to be done to investigate the negative effects of MSCs long term, even though they initially seem to be overall very promising and impressive from the results of the clinical studies done so far.

What has been observed by researchers is that stem cells — when cultured for several generations — heighten the possibility of mutation in the stem cells that unfortunately tends to behave like cancer cells. This may lead to the formation of lumps or tumors caused by uncontrolled growths. In addition to this, there is also the possibility of contamination from viruses found in these cultured stem cells that could be transferred to the patients. These are risk factors that parents should take into consideration when making decisions about stem cell therapy.

In the United States, the FDA will only allow regenerative medicine therapies to be part of a registered clinical trial. All U.S. trials can be found at clinicaltrials.gov or on the website of Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood. Currently, the only clinical trials being offered for autism in North America are those at Duke University. Here is one documented research study in Switzerland on the mesenchymal cells and children on the autism spectrum.

Possible Alternatives

Currently, there is a growing interest in plant-based stem cells and in plants that have remarkable capacity to promote our own stem-cell production and distribution, which seem to be a safer, less-invasive choice with fewer concerns. Modern medical technology also makes it possible to study and verify these plants’ profound effect on the human body. We are learning not only how important the number of stem cells are in our bodies for tissue restoration, repair and maintenance, but also how plants can promote stem cells, provide biodiversity, are safe for humans, are eco-friendly, and are readily available in the natural environment. These special stem-cell promoters come from plant extracts that contain very high concentrations of antioxidants. For instance, Chinese herbs such as panax ginseng and panax notoginseng have the capacity to assist in the production and diversity of neural and mesenchymal stem cells in the body.

Vitamin C also plays a role, as it has the capacity to naturally increase stem cells in the body and is involved in the generation and maintenance of stem cells.

In Conclusion

To all parents considering this therapy for their child with autism: do your due diligence and make informed choices.

About Heather Tallman Ruhm MD

About Teresa Badillo

She won a court case in 1995 against the Rockland County School District in New York to enable ARC Prime Time for Kids to be the first school using Applied Behavioral Analysis teaching method for autism that was paid for by the Rockland County School District. The following year she was instrumental in getting the New York Minister of Education to approve an extension of the ARC license from 5 to 21 years.

She has worked over the years in a number of alternative medical practices with doctors and practitioners organizing various biomedical intervention options for children with autism. Since the mid 1990s, Teresa has served on several boards:

• Foundation for Children with Developmental Disabilities
• The Autoimmunity Project
• Developmental Delayed Resources
• Epidemic Answers

She continues to consult and advise parents on all different areas of autism especially nutritional protocols. Since 2006 she has worked with NutraOrgana, LLC and BioCellular Analysis Testing. She currently researches, writes the newsletter and blogs Teresa’s Corner for The Autism Exchange (AEX). She also writes blog posts and pages for Documenting Hope.

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