Using Fat Stem Cells to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scientists from Medistem, Inc, together with the Stem Cell Institute, have published the results of a study that, for the first time, uses a patient’s own fat stem cells for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The paper was published in the peer reviewed journal Cellular Immunology and is titled “Autologous stromal vascular fraction cells: A tool for facilitating tolerance in rheumatic disease.”

The scientists explained the rational in using a patient’s fat derived stem cells for reprogramming the immune system of patients with autoimmune disease. The team provides a case report of a 67-year-old American woman who recovered from rheumatoid arthritis after intravenous treatment with adult stem cells.

"We have been treating companion animals for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis for over five years, achieving and publishing excellent efficacy data," said Robert Harman, CEO of Vet-Stem, in a press release. "Medistem's identification of potential mechanisms of action, as well as translation of this technology into the clinic, supports the importance of our findings."