Gangnam Women's Hospital advances stem cell therapy for interstitial cystitis
Gangnam Women's Hospital has been developing advanced treatments for interstitial cystitis, focusing on stem cell therapy over the past two years, with positive results in symptom relief and quality of life, it said on Tuesday.
Interstitial cystitis, which affects about 2.7 percent of women according to the Journal of Urology (2014), is characterized by recurring bladder pain, pelvic discomfort and urinary urgency without infection.
Nearly 90 percent of IC patients are female, according to the Korean Continence Society (2018). The disease stems from chronic inflammation and damage to the bladder lining, though its exact cause remains unclear.
'IC is frequently misdiagnosed due to its ambiguous symptoms,' said Dr. Sung Young-mo, director of Gangnam Women's Hospital. 'Advanced diagnostic tools, such as urinary organic acid analysis, are crucial for proper treatment.'
While conventional therapies involve analgesics and intravesical injections, Sung emphasized the potential of regenerative stem cell therapy using the patient's own cells.
'After three rounds of treatment, many patients experience significant pain relief, longer sleep and reduced urinary frequency,' he noted.
The procedure involves isolating autologous stem cells from the patient's blood via the Smart M-Cell system, then injecting them into damaged bladder areas through cystoscopy.
A 2021 international study also supports the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells in repairing bladder tissue, highlighting their anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Korea Herald
Gangnam Women's Hospital advances stem cell therapy for interstitial cystitis
Gangnam Women's Hospital has been developing advanced treatments for interstitial cystitis, focusing on stem cell therapy over the past two years, with positive results in symptom relief and quality of life, it said on Tuesday. Interstitial cystitis, which affects about 2.7 percent of women according to the Journal of Urology (2014), is characterized by recurring bladder pain, pelvic discomfort and urinary urgency without infection. Nearly 90 percent of IC patients are female, according to the Korean Continence Society (2018). The disease stems from chronic inflammation and damage to the bladder lining, though its exact cause remains unclear. 'IC is frequently misdiagnosed due to its ambiguous symptoms,' said Dr. Sung Young-mo, director of Gangnam Women's Hospital. 'Advanced diagnostic tools, such as urinary organic acid analysis, are crucial for proper treatment.' While conventional therapies involve analgesics and intravesical injections, Sung emphasized the potential of regenerative stem cell therapy using the patient's own cells. 'After three rounds of treatment, many patients experience significant pain relief, longer sleep and reduced urinary frequency,' he noted. The procedure involves isolating autologous stem cells from the patient's blood via the Smart M-Cell system, then injecting them into damaged bladder areas through cystoscopy. A 2021 international study also supports the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells in repairing bladder tissue, highlighting their anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties.
Korea Herald
23-01-2025
- Korea Herald
Miracell showcases breakthrough stem cell treatment for hair loss
South Korean stem cell research company Miracell announced Thursday that it recently hosted a session showcasing advanced hair loss treatments using stem cell technology, addressing the growing number of Koreans affected by the condition. The event, part of Miracell's Cellpia Global Platform Academy, provided medical professionals with insights into cutting-edge stem cell therapies. Since its launch in 2019, the academy has served as a hub for sharing breakthroughs in regenerative medicine through regular training and networking opportunities with hospitals in Korea and abroad. Dr. Park Hyun-gul, director of Parkforet Clinic, led the session with a lecture on the practical applications of stem cell-based hair loss treatments in everyday clinical settings. 'Growth factors and stem cells play a key role in treating hair loss,' Dr. Park explained. 'We've seen remarkable success, particularly in cases like alopecia areata, which often doesn't respond to conventional therapies.' The session also featured a live demonstration at the Cellpia Clinic, where Dr. Park treated a man in his 50s with severe hair loss. Using Miracell's Smart M-CELL system, blood stem cells were extracted, concentrated and injected into the patient's scalp to promote hair growth. With an estimated 10 million people in Korea affected by hair loss, the live demonstration drew strong interest from attendees, the company said. Miracell emphasized that stem cell treatments not only encourage hair regrowth but also enhance the effectiveness of existing drug therapies, offering a more comprehensive approach to hair loss treatment. 'We are committed to advancing regenerative medicine and providing innovative, accessible solutions for individuals struggling with hair loss,' a Miracell official said.
Korea Herald
06-11-2024
- Korea Herald
Miracell showcases stem cell tech at Spain conference
South Korean stem cell research company Miracell showcased its stem cell extraction system, Smart M-Cell, during the IV Congreso Semdor Valencia conference in Spain last month. Hosted by the Spanish Pain Society, the annual conference brought together pain management experts from around the world to explore effective solutions for preventing and treating pain. This year's event, held Oct. 24-26, invited doctors from Spain, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, Greece and Italy. During the conference, Miracell showcased Smart M-Cell and its specialized kits, drawing interest from attending medical professionals, according to the company. Greek hematologist Dr. Ilias Theodoropoulos and Spanish regenerative medicine specialist Dr. Luis Miguel Torres led a workshop during the conference to examine Smart M-Cell's clinical applications in pain management, specifically comparing the effectiveness of intravenous and localized stem cell treatments. 'Over the past year, I have administered more than 400 stem cell treatments and observed notable improvements in patient outcomes,' Theodoropoulos said, adding that he plans to publish a paper summarizing these clinical results. Miracell also said it plans to work with international Smart M-Cell users to collect clinical data and share findings at future conferences, contributing to ongoing discussions around the technology's role in pain management. 'Several hospitals, including university medical centers, have expressed interest in adopting Smart M-Cell following the conference,' said an official from Sieben, Miracell's Spanish distributor, adding that distribution is anticipated to begin in early 2025.
