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Autologous conditioned serum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Autologous conditioned serum, also known as Orthokine and Regenokine, is an experimental procedure in which a person's own blood is extracted, manipulated, and then reintroduced with claimed benefit in osteoarthritis.[1] There is limited evidence on safety and effectiveness as of 2017.[1] It is not included in medical guidelines as of 2017.[1] It is a type of autologous blood therapy.[1]

Medical use

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There is limited evidence on safety and effectiveness as of 2017.[1] There is tentative evidence in osteoarthritis.[2] Its use has not been recommended or considered by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International.[1]

Process

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The process removes about 2 US fluid ounces (59 ml) of blood from a patient's arm, which is then incubated at a slightly raised temperature.[citation needed] The liquid is then placed in a centrifuge until its constituent parts are separated. That serum is injected into the patient's affected area.

History

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Autologous conditioned serum is a patented method developed by molecular biologist Julio Reinecke and Peter Wehling, a spinal surgeon in Düsseldorf, Germany.[3][4] Orthokine was first approved for use in Germany in 2003.[5] Orthokine differs from a similar procedure with platelet-rich plasma (PRP),[6] where platelets are targeted instead of the interleukin antagonist. Also, PRP does not require the blood to be heated as Orthokine does.[citation needed]

As of August 2012, about 60,000 patients worldwide have received the treatment.[5] Americans have traveled to Germany for the treatment, which has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[7][4] Freddie Fu, a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, said more high-quality independent trials proving the procedure's effectiveness are needed before the FDA approves. National Basketball Association player Kobe Bryant traveled to Germany to have the procedure performed.[7][3] Some basketball fans refer to the procedure as the "Kobe Procedure".[3]

The procedure costs €6,000 (about $7,400) as of July 2012 and is not covered by health insurance.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Wehling, P; Evans, C; Wehling, J; Maixner, W (August 2017). "Effectiveness of intra-articular therapies in osteoarthritis: a literature review". Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease. 9 (8): 183–196. doi:10.1177/1759720X17712695. PMC 5557186. PMID 28835778. Limited data due to less expanded use and nonconsideration in guidelines.
  2. ^ "Osteoarthritis Emerging Therapies Epocrates Online". online.epocrates.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Kyler, Steve (August 15, 2012). "NBA AM: The Next Nightmare In The NBA". hoopsworld.com. USA Today. Archived from the original on 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  4. ^ a b Thompson, Teri (December 31, 2011). "A-Rod doc has pal who dealt 'cream'". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on 2013-02-08. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  5. ^ a b Mitchell, John N. (August 18, 2012). "Bynum's knee treatment gains acceptance in U.S." The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on 2015-09-14. Retrieved 2012-08-25.
  6. ^ Torrero, JI; Martinez, C (July 2015). "New developments in the treatment of osteoarthritis – focus on biologic agents". Open Access Rheumatology: Research and Reviews. 7 (7): 33–43. doi:10.2147/OARRR.S50058. PMC 5045124. PMID 27790043.
  7. ^ a b Lehrer, Jonah (April 11, 2012). "Why Did Kobe Go to Germany?". grantland.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on 2012-08-28. Retrieved 2012-08-14.