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Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Lung Disease

Stem cell therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has great promise. COPD stem cell therapies support slowing and regenerating lung tissue. Our numerous, robust, and youthful stem cells have the ability to support healing and repairing injured tissue, such as those found in a those with damaged lungs.

Stem cell therapy for COPD is fraught with controversy. While PRP (plasma rich platelets) cell treatment is legal in the United States, treatments without cell manipulation may be less successful long term.

doctor checking for lung disease on woman
The Condition

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term inflammatory disease that causes air to be trapped in the lungs. It is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases such as cigarette smoke.

As the disease progresses, air flow problems and breathing worsens. Individuals with COPD may be at increased risk for other chronic inflammatory diseases, heart disease, lung cancer, etc.

COPD symptoms can vary, but in general may include:

  • Wheezing
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Cough
  • Mucus (sputum) production
  • Fatigue
  • Frequent respiratory infections


People with COPD are also more likely to have exacerbations, which are episodes in which their symptoms worsen and last for several days.

Stem Cells and COPD?

How does stem cell treatment for COPD work?

Adult stem cells can be thought of as “signaling molecules” that live inside our bodies and take care of minor bumps and bruises. On a daily basis, their job is to support the body’s healing and repair by supporting tissue regeneration. If you cut your finger, these cells will signal to support wound healing.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from umbilical cords, create the most potent stem cell treatment ready for implantation. This is the best alternative to support cellular repair to damaged lung tissue found in COPD patients.

Shortly after implantation, patients quality of life improve because MSCs:

  • Support improved breathing,
  • Support increased energy and stamina, and
  • Support improved lung tissue health with less frequent bronchial infections
man with inhaler
How Effective Stem Cells are

Stem Cell therapy for COPD and Pulmonary Emphysema

Stem cell therapy for COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, improves breathing, restores blood flow to the lungs, and supports damaged tissue healing and repair.

Stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with little to no recovery or down time.

Before stem cell therapy is performed, the prospective patient must be evaluated by Stemwell’s medical team to determine if they are a candidate to be invited for treatment. Before proceeding with stem cell treatment for COPD, Stemwell’s doctors review the patient’s entire history, current lab results, and once in Bogota, a physical exam is completed.

The entire procedure takes three to five days in a clinical outpatient setting and requires little to no down time.

What is Pulmonary Emphysema?

Pulmonary Emphysema

Emphysema, a form of COPD, is a long-term, progressive lung disease with symptoms including frequent coughing or wheezing, shortness of breath, especially with activity, mucus production, etc. With emphysema, the alveoli are damaged, causing them to eventually rupture. This creates one large air space instead of many small ones and reduces the available area for gas exchange. Because blood oxygenates inside the alveoli, the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream is reduced.

COPD symptoms frequently do not appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they typically worsen over time, especially if the patient is a smoker.

What is the prognosis and life expectancy for a person with COPD?

People with mild COPD (stage 1) have a good prognosis and may have a relatively normal life expectancy, but this decreases as disease severity increases.

– People with COPD who are admitted to an ICU may have up to a 24% mortality rate, which can double for people 65 years and older.

– A COPD patient who receives a lung transplant has a median survival of 5.2 years, provided that there are no further complications.