Stem Cell and Gene Therapies

The information given below does not contain health advice. If you are considering this procedure, you should consult a doctor. Click here to see the health facilities and doctors providing this service on the HealthTürkiye portal.

 

 

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a medical application that uses stem cells to regenerate diseased or damaged tissues. Stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types as needed. Because of this property, they are considered a "biological repair kit" that can naturally promote healing within the body.

Types of Stem Cells Used in Therapy

• Mesenchymal stem cells: Obtained from adipose tissue, bone marrow, or umbilical cord. These cells are used to repair muscles, bones, cartilage, and connective tissues.
• Hematopoietic stem cells: These can differentiate into blood and immune system cells. Typically, they are taken from bone marrow or blood.
• Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC): These stem cells are created in the lab by reprogramming adult cells to acquire embryonic stem cell-like properties. This method enables the development of patient-specific treatments without the need for embryonic stem cells.

Diseases Treated by Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy has a wide range of potential applications:

• Cancer: Stem cells, particularly hematopoietic stem cells, are used in bone marrow transplants to treat blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
• Musculoskeletal diseases: In orthopedic disorders such as osteoarthritis, tendon ruptures, and spinal disk degeneration, stem cells are used to repair damaged tissues.
• Neurological disorders: Research is ongoing for using stem cells to repair nerve cells in diseases like spinal cord injuries, ALS, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Heart diseases: Stem cell therapy is being experimentally used to regenerate tissue damaged by heart attacks.
• Diabetes: The goal is to regenerate insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• Eye diseases: Stem cells are used to repair corneal damage and retinal degeneration to restore vision.

Methods of Application

Stem cell therapies can be administered through different routes, depending on the disease type and therapeutic goals:

• Intravenous injection
• Direct injection into the tissue (e.g., knee joint)
• Injection into the spinal cord (intrathecal)

Treatment is usually carried out using the patient’s own cells (autologous) or stem cells from a suitable donor (allogeneic).

Developments and Future Prospects

In the field of stem cell therapy, significant progress is being made, especially with the development of iPSC technology. Applications in artificial organ production, stem cell banking, and personalized medicine are becoming more widespread. As research advances, safer and more effective stem cell applications will be developed, treatments will become more accessible, and the focus of medicine will shift from "treatment" to "prevention."

 

What is Gene Therapy?

Gene therapy is a technique that involves changing the genetic makeup of cells to treat diseases. The main goal is to replace faulty or missing genes with healthy ones or to correct genetic defects. In this way, diseases are addressed at their root cause, not just at the symptom level.

How Gene Therapy Works

In gene therapy, genetic material is usually delivered to target cells via "vectors," which are carriers that transport the genetic information. The most commonly used vectors are genetically modified, harmless viruses. These viruses deliver the new genetic material to the cell, enabling the cell's internal mechanisms to function according to this new information.

Applications of Gene Therapy

• Genetic disorders: Gene therapy has shown promising results for treating inherited disorders like hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and thalassemia.
• Neuromuscular disorders: Approved gene therapies are available for progressive muscle weakness diseases like SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).
• Cancer treatments: Immunotherapy treatments like CAR-T therapy are being developed by genetically reprogramming immune cells to fight cancer.
• Eye diseases: For certain genetic causes of vision loss, gene therapy has made it possible to preserve or even improve vision function.
• Metabolic disorders: In some genetic enzyme deficiencies, the missing gene is replaced with a healthy version to restore metabolic processes.

Methods of Application

• Gene transfer using viral vectors
• Direct injection of DNA/RNA
• Extracellular gene editing and reinjection

Additionally, the "genetic scissors" technology, known as CRISPR-Cas9, has revolutionized genetic editing. This technology allows the precise cutting and correction of unwanted genetic sequences. While still in the early stages, gene editing may eventually provide permanent solutions to genetic diseases.

Developments and Future Prospects

Gene therapy is one of the most promising areas of medicine’s future. The potential to address genetic diseases at their source, target cancer cells, and even repair age-related cellular degeneration is immense. With further refinement of techniques like CRISPR, gene editing could become a cornerstone of preventive medicine.

 

The Future of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies

Although both stem cell and gene therapies are still in development, they hold central roles in shaping the future of medicine. Many goals, such as the production of artificial organs, personalized cancer treatments, and slowing down the biological effects of aging, are now becoming achievable thanks to these technologies.

Stem cell and gene therapies are fundamentally changing how medicine addresses diseases. These approaches allow for the development of permanent solutions that target the root causes of diseases, rather than just alleviating their symptoms. While some of these therapies are still experimental, they may soon become widely available to treat a broader range of patients in the near future.

 

Why Choose HealthTürkiye?

Türkiye has become a sought-after destination for medical tourism, thanks to its well-established healthcare system and highly trained medical professionals. HealthTürkiye, an official representative of the Türkiye healthcare system, has been authorized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye to assist international travelers seeking medical care in Türkiye. USHAŞ is a government-affiliated organization that makes it easier for international travelers to get the right direction and guidance for medical services. HealthTürkiye offers specialized services to guide patients from all over the world in accessing top-quality medical services in Türkiye.

HealthTürkiye provides a wide range of medical facilities and advanced technology to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. The organization collaborates with the foremost hospitals in the field to develop personalized treatment plans for each patient, considering their specific needs and preferences. The medical professionals at these hospitals are highly trained and experienced, ensuring that patients receive safe, effective, and high-quality care.

Building on the achievement of HealthTürkiye, Türkiye strives to position itself as the greatest global center for healthcare services. By prioritizing inclusive and readily available healthcare services, as well as embracing cutting-edge technology and specialized knowledge, Türkiye has emerged as an appealing destination for individuals seeking medical tourism opportunities.

If you would like to benefit from Türkiye's healthcare services, HealthTürkiye will meet you the best medical care.