Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (α2M) – Autologous Therapy for OsteoArthritis
For the past few years, regenerative medicine has seen an enormous spike in popularity, largely contributed to the nature of autologous therapy being low-risk and useful for the patient.
Autologous therapy is a type of treatment that utilizes the body’s regenerative abilities to restore health and wellness. ptrMedical.Services can bring the power of autologous therapy with ALPHA2ACTIVE™ by CAREstream America.
What Is ALPHA2ACTIVE™?
A 510(k) approved, and a proprietary autologous process that derives from a powerhouse molecule – called the Miracle Molecule, or Alpha-2-Macroglobulin, more commonly referred to as A2M, is a master protease inhibitor that already exists in your blood and acts as a potent inhibitor of cartilage breakdown. A2M is a molecule that serves a vital role in inhibiting destructive enzymes in the body that cause issues such as joint pain, back pain, and arthritis. By binding itself to these destructive enzymes in the cartilage between joints, A2M can prevent further damage, alleviate pain and inflammation, and even flush destructive enzymes from the body. The treatment is now known as Protease Inhibition Technology, and white paper is available upon request.
Why Should You Consider This Treatment for your Patients?
First, the answer is the low risk of adverse side effects. Based on years of clinical research in osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative disc disease (DDD), this regenerative medicine utilizes what’s already present in your body, there is no risk of an allergic reaction, and treatment is more effective because it’s already compatible with the natural processes of your body. Current therapies are ineffective in treating the root cause of OA. Healthcare providers tend to continue with effective standard of care treatment, which is arthroplasty. What if treatment was available to use A2M, with the clinical indication as an anti-inflammatory and stop the catabolic cycle? α2M has emerged as a potential treatment of cartilage-based pathology and inflammatory arthritis because of bait and trap inflammatory mediators.
For any OA grade 1-3 patient, A2M should be the first regenerative medicine step.
You may also consider an analogous therapy such as this one to alleviate inflammation in the body, particularly the joints that cause chronic pain. This treatment is ideal for joint pain, such as in the knee, shoulder, or wrist and back pain associated with diseased discs.
How Does This Treatment Work?
Like many other regenerative medicine therapies, the key to this treatment lies in your blood. Specifically, this treatment is performed by first drawing a certain amount of blood from your body so that the A2M molecule can be isolated; once isolated (see process depiction), the molecule is then injected into the body at the desired area of location. Autologous α2M can be concentrated from plasma using this process, which is unique and includes a filtration process.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
The majority of prospective patients interested in this treatment make good candidates, especially those of post-traumatic OA. However, by collecting and identifying Fibronectin Aggrecan Complex (FAC) in synovial fluid, typically in painful meniscal pathology, which became an established biomarker for pain, and as clinical evidence in meniscal injury and hips, known as the FAC Test. Although not an FDA diagnostic test, due to no high-level clinical data to show association with a disease (different pathologies and cannot predict clinical outcome), FAC Test is a laboratory-developed test.
Montesano, Cuellar, and Scuderi (2017) performed a prospective cohort study and found 77% of the FAC+ patients and 27% of the FAC- patients met the strict (Level II Evidence) 20-point Oswestry Disability Index cutoff. Some argue diagnostic criteria. Patients who are FAC+ are more likely to demonstrate clinical improvement with autologous α2M; however, ALPHA2ACTIVE™ may still work in FAC-.
Contact ptrMedical.Services today to learn how to start testing and treating your patients. Click link below to book a consultation.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix – Next Generation PRP Autologous Therapy
CAREstream America has growth factor therapies, mainly LibertyMTX™– Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM) and alternatively, the homologous (not Autologous) therapy, CELUPURE™ Amniotic Fluid,. Both contain growth factors, however are very different in effect. The safe and effective non-steroidal alternative to surgery is anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Most of all, a fast treatment time makes this a good choice.
100% Pure Amniotic Fluid is a next generation, acellular, unadulterated product that retains over 200 bioactive growth factors, has a maximized amount of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, and is 361 compliant. Because we use pure amniotic fluid, it has the added benefit of being injectable through a needle as small as 30 gauge without being compromised, for minimal to no patient discomfort.
A solution to joint inflammation, Cell-Free Amniotic Fluid and application of this allograft contains Exosomes, Chemokine and Cytokines to transform, recruit and reduce endogenous cells to reparative state, amplify and reduce excessive inflammation.
Growth Factor Therapy using LibertyMTX™– Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM)
This closed system PRP preparation controlled rapid partition process, almost all contaminants are removed to create a pure platelet solution. Typical PRP kits that tout high platelet concentrations often produce contaminating RBCs or WBCs, which have inflammatory and catabolic effects causing the opposite effect desired. PRFM takes this pure solution to the next level through a proprietary step by forming a gel-like substance, or scaffolding, that protects and preserves platelets for injection, and can be used as a scaffold for Bone Marrow Aspirate (BMA), Adipose-derived stem cell, Amniotic Fluid injections, and allografts or even Exosomes. The result is optimal platelet concentration.
What are the Key points in PRFM Action over PRP? 
- 3-5 times increase in growth factors
- Process time is 8 min and yield 8-10cc
- Closed system start to finish
- Consistent platelet concertation for predictable performance
- Fibrin matrix allows the platelets to remain at the site of application for slow release and greater effectiveness.
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