Israel clinic uses stem cell procedure to treat multiple sclerosis

CTV news reported recently that a clinic in Israel has pioneered a procedure in which doctors remove stem cells from a patient, grow them into large quantities in a lab, and then inject them back into the patient as a way to repair damage in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis affects between 55,000 and 75,000 Canadians and is often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, according to the MS Society of Canada. A variety of treatments including medications are available and can alleviate symptoms but do not work in every patient.

Luigi Caputo, communications employee for Parks Canada, learned he had progressive MS in 1990 when he was in college. He’s taking part in a treatment study over two years in Vancouver that’s intended to halt the illness from progressing.

Previously, Caputo has traveled to Mexico for treatment, and finds it frustrating that with Canada’s level of advancement that procedures and medications from the rest of the world aren’t available or being performed here. “It’s a real shame that someone that lives here has to go overseas to try a treatment when we could have the exact same here,” he said.

Caputo is researching his options now for when the period of the trial he’s taking part in ends next year. “The study in Israel looks promising, but there’s no guarantees and that’s huge,” Caputo said. “When someone’s in a situation where they’re sick, they’re willing to try and do anything.”

From what he’s read, stem cell research is at the forefront of treatment for not only MS but for other illnesses as well. “That is like the wonder treatment,” he said. “I think those stem cells really could help a lot of people, but I feel like Canada is just starting to get into this kind of thing.”

Tammy Vathje, owner of Jasper Park Liquor and Beverage Co., was diagnosed with MS two years ago after she experienced vision loss in one eye. She has a relapsing-remitting form of the illness, which means she may have an episode, such as numbness in one of her legs, and then mostly return to normal. 

To keep her MS under control, Vathje injects herself daily with Copaxone, a medication meant to change the way her immune system reacts by preventing harmful cells from developing and by stimulating beneficial cells.

For Vathje, it’s interesting to keep an eye on the latest treatments, but at this point she finds her medication effective. In addition, when a new procedure is announced, it takes quite some time for it to be used. “There’s lots of stuff going on, but clinical trials go forever,” she said.

Though the procedure pioneered in Israel won’t likely go into widespread use anytime soon, reading stories about others who are benefitting from such treatments can be uplifting. “For others going through it, it gives them inspiration and hope,” Caputo said.