In the previous article, we discussed the initial consultation before starting stem cell therapy.
Once the suitability for treatment is confirmed, the next step is the actual treatment. So, how are stem cells collected? And what kind of culture and quality control processes are followed before administration?
Stem cell therapy at Helene Clinic is generally conducted in two visits .
First, a consultation will be conducted during your initial visit . If you decide to proceed with treatment on that day, we can perform the cell collection on the same day.
The collected cells will then be cultured and quality-controlled for approximately four weeks. After the culture and quality control are complete, you will have a second visit to the clinic.
Then, during your second visit , we will perform all procedures on the same day, from pre-treatment preparation to cell administration and post-treatment care.
Here, we will explain in detail the stem cell treatment process at Helene Clinic, step by step.
📌 Key points of this article
- Stem cell therapy typically involves two visits. The first visit is for consultation, and if you decide to proceed with treatment on the same day, we will collect your cells.
- The collected cells are cultured and quality-controlled for approximately four weeks at the clinic's CPC (Cell Processing Center).
- During your second visit, we will perform all pre-treatment preparations, cell administration, and post-treatment care on the same day.
table of contents
See the stem cell therapy process at a glance
| Visiting the hospital | Step | Content | Estimated time required |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st time | Counseling and cell collection | First, we will conduct a consultation. If you decide to proceed with treatment on the day of the consultation, we can perform the cell collection on the same day. | Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Between the first and second visits | Cell culture/quality control | The collected cells are cultured in the clinic's cell processing facility (CPC) and undergo quality control. | Approximately 4 weeks |
| second time | Pre-treatment check | We will reconfirm your current condition, treatment plan, and the number of cells to be administered. | Approximately 15-30 minutes |
| Cell administration | Depending on the treatment plan, the medication will be administered via intravenous infusion (IV) or directly to a specific site. | Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour | |
| Post-treatment care | We will first check the patient's condition. Then, we will explain precautions for the day of treatment and aftercare. | Same day |
First visit: Counseling and cell collection
First, we conduct a consultation. We will review the patient's treatment history and current health condition.
Furthermore, a physician will make a comprehensive judgment regarding the suitability of the patient for stem cell therapy.
Furthermore, if you decide to proceed with treatment on the day of the consultation, you can proceed directly to cell collection.
The entire first visit usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Where are the cells collected from?
At Helene Clinic, a small amount of fatty tissue is harvested from behind the ear. A small incision of about 5 mm is made in the skin.
This procedure is performed under local anesthesia and usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Blood is also collected at this time for testing.
Why is fatty tissue taken from behind the ear?
At Helene Clinic, this site is selected as part of the cell collection protocol based on the clinic's treatment guidelines.
The adipose tissue behind the ear is characterized by smaller fat cells and larger spaces between cells compared to the adipose tissue in the abdomen.
Therefore, it is easier to maintain an environment where MSCs can survive, potentially allowing for the collection of more cells.
After the procedure, dissolvable sutures are used, so there is no need to remove them. There is almost no pain, but a small amount of pain medication will be prescribed as a precaution.
If there are no particular problems with the patient's condition, they can usually go home on the same day the sample is taken.
Cell culture/quality control
The collected cells are cultured and quality-controlled for approximately four weeks at the Cell Processing Center (CPC) within the Helene Clinic.
The second visit will be scheduled at a time convenient for the patient, with at least four weeks between the first and second visits. During this time, the collected cells will be cultured and quality-controlled at the in-house CPC (Cell Processing Center) in preparation for the second visit.
Cell collection and storage are managed within the hospital.
At Helene Clinic, we do not outsource the cell culture and processing processes. We manage them in our own cell processing facility.
Therefore, we can manage the entire process from cell collection to culture, testing, and storage. Furthermore, we have established a system to track how cells are handled at each stage of the process.
Cell processing environment and quality control
The clinic's quality management system is ISO 9001 certified.
Furthermore, we use ISO Class 5 clean benches in the cell processing area.
Furthermore, we use "HELENE Medium," which does not contain any animal-derived components, as the culture medium for cell culture.
Check the state of cells at multiple stages.
Quality control is carried out in multiple stages. First, the number of cells is confirmed using an automated cell counting device.
Next, we evaluate the cell viability using image analysis techniques.
Furthermore, we also examine the characteristics of the cell surface. This allows us to confirm whether the cells possess the desired characteristics as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) .
Barcode-based specimen management
To prevent cell mix-ups and confusion, each sample is assigned a barcode.
As a result, the entire process, from collection to culture, testing, and storage, can be managed by the identification system. The handling of the cells can also be tracked.
Store the cells properly until administration.
After culturing and quality control are complete, the cells are stored until administration.
In this process, liquid nitrogen at -196°C is used.
Second visit: From pre-treatment preparation to post-treatment care
Once cell culture and quality control are complete, you will have a second visit to the clinic.
On this day, pre-treatment preparation, cell administration, and post-treatment care are all performed on the same day.
Preparation before treatment
First, before administering the cells, medical staff will check the patient's condition.
The main items to check are as follows:
- Current health condition
- Required test results
- Treatment plan
- Number of cells to administer
- Cell administration process
Furthermore, the timing of treatment will be determined considering the patient's condition and treatment plan.
Furthermore, medical staff will reconfirm that the timing is appropriate before administration.
Cell administration
Once the pre-treatment preparations are complete, you will move to the administration room.
The method of administration will be determined according to the patient's condition and treatment plan. It will be administered via intravenous infusion (IV) or directly to a specific site.
The administration time is usually about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
For intravenous drips, you can relax in a reclining chair while you wait.
Furthermore, we will provide drinks and light snacks during the procedure. Nurses will also regularly check on the patient's condition.
After administration is complete, a compression band will be applied to the cell collection site as needed. Medical staff will also check the condition of the collection site.
Post-treatment care
After the cell administration is complete, you will rest in a recovery area for a while.
Afterward, our medical staff will explain important points to keep in mind on the day of your treatment. We will also provide information on aftercare at home.
For example, on the day of treatment, we ask that you only take a shower and not soak in a bathtub.
If there are no particular problems with the patient's condition, they can usually go home on the same day as treatment.
Why are in-clinic CPCs important?
In regenerative medicine, it is crucial to properly manage the condition and quality of the cells being administered. At Helene Clinic, we manage everything from cell collection and culture to quality control and storage in our own CPC (Cell Processing Facility).
Cell processing is carried out according to established procedures based on standard operating procedures (SOPs). By managing each step in an appropriate environment, we have established a system that allows us to track how the cells were collected, processed, and stored.
Thus, in addition to establishing appropriate cell processing facilities, managing each process based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is one of the crucial steps in properly managing cell quality and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there any pain when cells are collected?
Since it is performed under local anesthesia, you will feel almost no pain.
How long does it take from the first visit to the start of treatment?
During your first visit, we will conduct a consultation.
If you decide to receive treatment on the day of your consultation, we will perform the cell collection on the same day.
The entire first visit, from consultation to cell collection, typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
The collected cells are then cultured and quality-controlled for approximately four weeks.
After the cell culture and quality control are complete, the second visit will include all pre-treatment preparation, cell administration, and post-treatment care, all on the same day.
What will happen during my second visit?
During your second visit, we will perform all pre-treatment preparations, cell administration, and post-treatment care on the same day.
First, we will reconfirm the patient's current condition, treatment plan, and the number of cells to be administered.
Subsequently, the medication is administered intravenously (IV) or directly to a specific site, depending on the treatment plan.
After administration, you will be asked to rest for a while. Then, we will explain post-treatment precautions and aftercare before you go home.
