EXTRACTION FROM FAT


Stem cells are human master cells. They have the ability to grow into any of the body’s more than 200 cell types. They continue to replicate and divide throughout life and give rise to cells that can become highly specialized, thereby regenerating and repairing damaged tissue. For years, stem cells derived from sources such as umbilical cord blood have been used to treat leukemia and other blood malignancies and immune system diseases. Cytoresource, in collaboration with the prestigious Reproductive Genetics Institute’s Research and Education Center, has developed technology which allows our scientists to obtain stem cells from stem cell-rich adipose, or fat, tissue. The revolutionary harvesting of a person’s own stem cells, called autologous cells, protects the patient against the possibility of rejection and against infections such as hepatitis and HIV. It also safeguards the patient against all present and future government restrictions on the use of embryonic stem cells. These autologous stem cells are “deposited” in a highly specialized bank where they can be cryopreserved for years, and they can be retrieved at any time should a person develop a condition amenable to stem cell treatment. In addition to currently accepted treatments for the conditions mentioned above, with today’s fast-paced biotechnology research, new stem cell-related therapies will soon become available. This makes the banking of autologous stem cells a form of “bio-insurance.” Some of the conditions under investigation for stem cell treatment include the following: different types of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, stroke, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, joint and spinal disc disorders, autoimmune disease, and urinary and bladder conditions, including incontinence.

Stem cells could also play a vital role in rejuvenation and anti-aging therapies and cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Questions and Answers:

Q. Is my fat tissue a good source of stem cells? A. The fat tissue is an excellent source. It allows extraction of high quality stem cells using special techniques. Because it’s your own tissue, there is no possibility of rejection or contracting infection from another person. Q. For how long can my cells be preserved? A. Properly obtained and preserved at a specially equipped, certified cell banking facility, the cells should retain their efficacy for decades. Q. If my cells are used for treatment, can I run out of them? A. Your cells can be replicated (multiplied) in our laboratory to ensure that your “deposit” will never run out. Q. How is my fat tissue obtained? A. The fat is usually obtained by your surgeon during a routine liposuction or other type of surgery by using a specialized collection technique. For patients not undergoing surgery, a separate procedure involving the removal of a small amount of subcutaneous fat--fat lying just under the skin--can also be performed.