Cellular therapy –

This is not the same as human stem cell therapy.   It is instead a treatment with animal cells, also called live cell therapy, cellular suspensions, glandular therapy, fresh cell therapy, siccacell therapy, embryonic cell therapy, and organotherapy -- refers to various procedures in which processed tissue from animal embryos, fetuses or organs, is injected or taken orally. Products are obtained from specific organs or tissues said to correspond with the unhealthy organs or tissues of the recipient. Proponents claim that the recipient's body automatically transports the injected cells to the target organs, where they supposedly strengthen them and regenerate their structure. The organs and glands used in cell treatment include brain, pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, thymus, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, heart, ovary, testis, and parotid. Several different types of cell or cell extract can be given simultaneously -- some practitioners routinely give up to 20 or more at once.  The treatment is dangerous and has resulted in many deaths and serious immunological reactions.  It is not only experimental but is overtly hazardous and should be avoided. It is sometimes promoted in the US by Naturopaths, a sort of alternative medical system doctor that has not gone to medical school.  The original use of cellular therapy was in 1912 when German physicians attempted to treat hypothyroid children with thyroid cells.  Paul Niehans MD, a Swiss physician was known as the “father of cell therapy”.  The clinic he developed in Clarens-Montreaux Switzerland continues to attract patients at the tune of $10,000 per week.  John Brinkly MD began doing operations implanting men with tissue from goat testicles in 1917 and by 1941 had his license to practice revoked due to quackery.  The technique was used in Tijuana Mexico where clinics continue, since 1970.  Unwitting patients will travel there to “build the immune system” and “help patients” with Down’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, AIDS, and various other diseases.  Of course there are no scientific studies of significance to support the use of this bizarre therapy.

Painbytes assessment: Two thumbs down.   Experimental, no data on safety or efficacy, shady practices