FAQS

Dr. Fonseca uses adult mesenchymal stem cells, the only safe source for therapeutical purposes. All these stem cells are derived from what are called “perinatal tissues”, such as umbilical cord, placenta, and endometrium. Our laboratory also works as a fertility clinic that allows us to screen the donors from conception to birth, this way we ensure cellular quality before proceeding to the second biosafety tests.

COFEPRIS (FDA homologous) standards ensure that Mesenchymal Stem Cells developed by our laboratory are safe for all intended applications. There has never been a single instance of rejection (graft vs. host disease) in over 5 years of experience. In fact, mesenchymal stem cells are approved to treat graft vs. host disease in certain countries like Canada and New Zealand. The immune system is unable to recognize mesenchymal stem cells as foreign bodies, their lack human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression allows them to practically be invisible to immune rejection response.

Adult mesenchymal stem cells have a “multipotent” cell linage, therefor there is no risk of tumor generation as it could happen with embryonic stem cells (pluripotent cells) since they have more tissue differentiation potency.

MSCs are not embryonic stem cells, the cells which have garnered a lot of controversy due to the ethical questions concerning how they are acquired. MSCs are Adult Stem Cells derived from perinatal tissues and are donated by a consenting adult who undergoes a series of tests and strict biosafety eligibility process and has been screened and monitored throughout her pregnancy to ensure quality of the stem cell samples. The ethical questions aside, embryonic stem cells tend to proliferate uncontrollably and may cause tumors when transplanted.

Stem cells are precursor cells which are capable of regeneration and differentiation into a wide range of specialized cell types. Once applied by IV, Injection or any other method, stem cells follow inflammatory signals from damaged tissues (chemotaxis) and have multiple ways of repairing these damaged areas; Mesenchymal stem cells carry out this therapeutical effect through something called “cellular signaling”. Trophic factors are secreted by stem cells, signaling damaged tissue to enhance the process of repair or tissue renewal.

In the body, these cells DO NOT function by transforming into different cell types or tissues as our own stem cells do, their therapeutical effect works by secreting this bio-active molecules enhancing our own repair mechanisms among other key features.

This main cellular signaling effects act via anti-inflammatory stimulation, immune modulating capacity, anti-fibrosis signals, growth factors that enhance proliferations and differentiation of damaged tissue, all in conjunction to overall, enhance all tissue repair mechanisms in our body.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy safety and efficacy is the main objective in scientific research protocols which have shown that there is no long-term risks or side effect from adult mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Side effect may be experienced in 1 out of 3 patients in average and are considered immediate side effects such as mild headache during IV infusion and fatigue or mild fever 24-48 hrs after infusion.

Stem cell therapy involves different procedures based on each patient´s medical necessities, therefor depending on the procedure involved, for example, joint stem cell therapy has its own expected risks such as an infection, all medical procedures are done with all safety measures to prevent such complication, side effects involving stem cells such as mild inflammatory response on injection site or joint pain for 24-72 hours can be expected.

Depending on patient´s personalized protocol all possible side effects will be explained in detail and agreed upon before proceeding to travel planning as part of our process. All questions and doubts should be answered first, that is one of our priorities.

There are no pharmacological interactions between stem cell therapy and regular medication with only a few exceptions. This is not an alternative treatment, therefor Dr. Fonseca will never ask to stop your baseline medical indications or chronic medication, but he will need to know what medications you are on as part of your initial assessment, in rare cases some medication will need to be stopped for a few days leading up to treatment, especially if the treatment includes invasive procedures that might require an aggressive medical or pharmacological approach. For optimum benefit, it’s best to consult with Dr. Fonseca about your current medication regimen and what might need to be discontinued for a short period of time before your procedure. No two patients are alike, so make no assumptions, consult Dr. Fonseca and you’ll know exactly what is best for your unique situation.

Ms. Jackeline Cuellar is Dr. Fonseca’s Office Manager and Patient Advocate. She will be your personal medical guide through the entire process of putting your trip together, hotel reservations, transportation during your stay and even local touristic services you might want to experience. For more information about travel assistance visit our services section.

Dr. Fonseca and Beyond CellCare team has cared and improved the lives of many patients from all over the world throughout the last 5 years; We understand the big decision involved in traveling to another country for medical attention and we want to be with you along the way, offering evidence based medical protocols in the field of regenerative medicine and making it more accessible to everyone with humane and honest care 24/7. When looking into stem cell therapy the most important thing to consider is the stem cell itself, our laboratory offers the most novel facilities and biosafety processes, not just for you but for hundreds of medical specialists that we provide to.