MINSK, 29 August (BelTA) – Belarus uses stem cells to treat arthrosis of major joints, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) Vladimir Kritsky told reporters, BelTA has learned.
“We have implemented the techniques to treat degenerative joint diseases (knee and hip joints) developed by fellow researchers from the National Research Center for Trauma and Orthopedics. Since December 2018 about 20 patients, citizens of Belarus, have received stem cell therapy for their joint diseases,” Vladimir Kritsky said.
He noted that the stem cell therapy proved effective. This technique helps alleviate pain. “Stem cells produce a cartilage-like substance that covers affected parts of a cartilage, which helps remove pain,” the researcher explained. This helps increase the strength and movement of joints.
In addition to that, Belarusian researchers have mastered the techniques to treat trophic ulcers, non-healing wounds and periodontosis using cell products.
“About 60 methods of using biomedical cell products have been registered in the form of product instructions by now. This means that these instructions were approved by the Healthcare Ministry and incorporated into treatment protocols. Thus, every clinic that has the necessary equipment and human resources can master these techniques,” Vladimir Kritsky said.
Regenerative medicine is usually treated as a separate branch of medicine abroad. This branch is spearheaded by the United States, Germany, Israel, and the Republic of Korea. In these countries regenerative medicine is usually synonymous to anti-aging medicine. The most common services involve the use of dermal fibroblasts to reverse the skin aging process.
Stem cells have somewhat different applications in Belarus. The majority of stem cell therapies are meant for serious diseases that cannot be treated by conventional methods. “Therefore, our target group are patients with chronic and hard-to-treat pathologies, comorbidities,” Vladimir Kritsky said.
Biological cell products are legally defined. Such products should be properly certified and registered before use.
The Institute of Biophysics and Cell Engineering of the NASB conducts fundamental research in stem cells, produces biomedical cell products and takes part in the development of new treatment methods in collaboration with healthcare institutions.
In 2014 the institute opened the Cell Technologies research center.
