Stem Cell for COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstruction of airflow from the lungs.

What is it?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic and disabling respiratory condition that affects millions of people. It refers to a group of conditions that cause difficulty breathing. Two of the most common diseases are:

  • Chronic bronchitis: causes irritation and inflammation in the inner layer of the airways and excessive mucus production.
  • Emphysema: it is due to the deformation or destruction of some structures of the respiratory tract.

Some of the causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are tobacco use, smoke inhalation, charcoal, exposure to dust and toxic products.

Signs & Symptoms

This disease takes years to develop. That is why symptoms may be nil or mild at first, but worsen later. The most common symptoms are:

  • Persistent cough or cough with a lot of phlegm.
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing or whistling noises when breathing
  • Chest tightness

diagnosis

The main diagnostic procedure to determine the existence of COPD is spirometry, a simple test that should be performed in all patients over 40 years of age who have been smoking for a certain period of time, especially if they present respiratory symptoms.

Complications

Some patients are prone to present complications of the disease, such as:

  • Collapsed lung (pneumothorax). A collapsed lung can be life-threatening because lung function is already severely compromised.
  • Heart problems. Emphysema can increase pressure in the arteries that connect the heart to the lungs.
  • Large holes in the lungs (bullae). Some people with emphysema have empty spaces in the lungs called bullae.

Stem Cells

Current treatments focus on symptom relief; there are no approved therapeutic interventions that address the irreversible loss of lung function and expiratory airflow limitation associated with COPD.

Studies suggest that MSCs may provide a therapeutic option for this incurable disease due to their anti-inflammatory, reparative and immunomodulatory properties, which promote lung cell regeneration, restoring lung function.