Lung Fibrosis Treated Using Stem Cells in Iran’s Kermanshah

Kamran Mansouri made the comments in a press conference where he also highlighted Iran's remarkable progress in the field of stem cells.

"After the United States, we are the second country in the world that has conducted the largest number of clinical trials in this field," the professor said.

“Currently, there are eight different categories of diseases in Iran, including different types of paralysis (spinal cord injuries, paralysis caused by neurological and muscular diseases, etc.), different types of wounds (diabetic wounds, burns, etc.), autoimmune conditions (MS, etc.) and different kinds of joint and rheumatic diseases are treated using stem cell injections,”

“The level of success in the treatment of these diseases varies depending on the different conditions of the patient, including the age of the patient,” Mansouri noted.

He added that according to progress that could be seen in Iran, until the end of 2025, the different types of diseases that can be treated using stem cell injections in the country will increase to 22 different categories.

Mansouri further highlighted Iran's access a high level of progress in the stem cell field that it is currently exporting products and technical know-how.

This Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences professor further pointed to the beginning of the research activities of the university in the field of stem cells since 2007, adding, “In the very first years of activity in this field, we succeeded in extracting stem cells from the skin.”

“It is possible to obtain stem cells from various sources, including bone marrow and umbilical cord, but in the case of bone marrow, that is done through an invasive procedure. We were able to extract these cells from the skin in Kermanshah,” he added.

“Due to Kermanshah's good activities in the field, two national projects have been entrusted to the stem cells team of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences by the National Headquarters of Stem Cells. The first project is to use stem cells to treat lung fibrosis and the other to treat lupus disease using these cells,” Mansouri added.

"Fortunately, these two projects are being successfully conducted. During the Coronavirus pandemic using stem cell injections, we managed to treat two patients who were suffering from lung fibrosis and had lost hope," he went on to say. 

“Also, five patients, who were using ventilators, were also treated with this method and are currently living a happy life.”

“In recent months, three patients have been transferred from Tehran to Kermanshah to be treated in this way. When the final assessment of the plan is done, its implementation in the entire country is on the agenda,” the professor continued.

He added that the type of stem cells used in the treatment of these diseases are mesenchymal stem cells, which are different from hematopoietic stem cells.

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