Cell-Free Therapy: The Power of Exosomes and Secretome in Regenerative Medicine

Exosomes are tiny particles released by cells, serving as cellular messengers. Therapies utilizing these particles leverage the body’s natural cellular communication pathways to facilitate healing and tissue regeneration. In this article we’ll provide answers to the questions: ‘Do exosomes really work?’ and ‘How do exosomes work?’

How Do Exosomes and Secretome Help in Healing

How does exosome therapy work? To answer this, it’s important to first understand exosomes and the secretome.

​​Exosomes

Exosomes are small, membrane-bound vesicles that are released by cells. They contain various molecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNAs. 

But how do exosomes work in therapy? These particles can be used to deliver therapeutic molecules to damaged tissues, promoting healing and regeneration. Exosomes can be derived from different cell types, including mesenchymal stem cells, which are known for their regenerative properties.

Secretome

Secretome is a broader concept that includes both exosomes and other substances that enter the cell environment. Secretome has similar properties to exosomes but also has its own advantages when used in certain ways.

Let’s explore the therapeutic benefits of exosomes and secretome in more detail.

1. Exosomes and secretome can facilitate cell-cell communication, allowing cells to coordinate their activities and respond to injury.

2. Enhance Tissue Repair: Exosomes and secretome can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of surrounding cells, promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
   
3. Both exosomes and secretome can be used as cell-free therapies, bypassing the need for invasive cell transplantation.

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To learn how these innovative therapies could benefit your specific condition, schedule a no-obligation consultation with our medical advisors. They’ll guide you through your options and help you determine the best treatment approach.

Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

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When Do We Use Exosomes and Secretome

Considering that exosomes and secretome are derived from MSCs, they can benefit the same conditions as MSCs.

The most common conditions we manage in our clinic include:

• Neurological conditions: Dementia/Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, autism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ataxia, and post stroke rehabilitation.
• Autoimmune diseases: Multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatism, and lupus.
• Orthopedic issues: Arthritis and sport-related injuries.
• Skin conditions: Anti-Aging and skin rejuvenation.
• Cardiovascular diseases: Post cardiac attack rehabilitation
• Lung diseases: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 
• Other conditions: Lyme, eye diseases, tinnitus, metabolic syndrome.

Collection and Preparation

When exploring the question, “How does exosome therapy work?” it’s essential to consider the collection and preparation processes. At Swiss Medica, we use both donor and autologous (patient-derived) exosomes and secretome, derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and other types of cells, such as macrophages.

How Do We Deliver Exosomes and Secretome

Exosomes can be delivered using the following methods:

• Intravenously: This administration allows exosomes to get directly into the bloodstream through a vein and travel to any part of the body to repair or treat an injury or disease. This way, we deliver the precise dosage and ensure quick absorption of exosomes. The intravenous therapy process usually lasts up to 2 days, which includes a slow injection of stem cells during 2-3 hours.
  
• Locally: This method involves applying exosomes directly to a needed area, such as muscles or joints for a determined period of time. Local methods include skin applications like masks, drops, enemas, or nose inhalations. Local application allows stem cells to reach and cause effects to the specific place and reduce the risk of side effects.

Secretome can be applied as skin masks, inhalations and enemas. Enemas involve using a rectal syringe or enema to administer stem cells in the right dosage.

We do not deliver donor exosomes intrathecally.

Dosages of Exosomes and Secretome

Does exosome therapy work? It does when the dosage is carefully calculated for each patient, taking into account the application method and the patient’s unique characteristics. A single dose is 40 million cell equivalents on average.

Program Duration

Standard treatments usually last for a determined time frame. Unlike that, the duration of exosome and secretome therapy may vary depending on each patient’s needs.

Exosome therapy is usually part of a complete treatment program that typically lasts from 3 to 9 days. If there are improvements in the conditions, you can come again and repeat the treatment to boost the effect.   

Contraindications

How do exosomes work in my specific case? To answer this, it’s important to consider that there are some contraindications similar to those of stem cell therapy. 

On the other hand, exosome therapy is generally well-tolerated and causes no severe side effects. Therefore, it can be used in some cases where there are contraindications to stem cell therapy.  

Possible contraindications may include:

• Active oncology
• Acute infections
• Negative experience with cell-based treatment in the past
• Mental disorders.

However, doctors evaluate the health and medical history of each patient individually at the consultation to ensure optimal safety and potential benefits.

Treatment Results

Exosomes and secretome are used along with MSC therapy to boost the effect and result of the treatment. The potential improvements from cell-based therapy differs in patients depending on the causes and duration of the disease, the severity of the symptoms, the number of procedures, and other personal factors.

It is important to note that stem-cell therapy is not a 100% cure to any disease. However, up to 80% of our patients report improvements.

Side Effects

Side effects for stem-cell therapy, including exosome and secretome therapy, are rare, especially with IV administration. Short-term side effects, such as a slight increase in temperature, nausea, or general malaise, may occur directly after the procedure. Local administration may cause redness at the site of administration. 

There are no long-lasting or severe side effects. Since exosomes are not cells, even the hypothetical probability of rejection or tumor growth from them is impossible.

Also, for safety reasons, doctors determine an individual dose for every patient, never exceeding the maximum one.

Post-Treatment Care for Continued Therapy

For many diseases, a course of maintenance therapy with exosomes is provided, which patients undergo at home after treatment in the clinic. It is most often designed for 1.5–2 months. Also, patients have the opportunity to come for a short maintenance course using exosomes in the clinic.

Contact us

To receive a comprehensive treatment plan and guidance on post-treatment care, schedule a consultation with our experts. They’ll help you design the right therapy and maintenance plan tailored to your needs, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Dr. Aleksandra Fetyukhina, MD

Medical Advisor, Swiss Medica doctor

Your Name Please fill out this field Phone Please fill out this field E-mail Please fill out this field

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