Stem Cell Therapy for Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction to Stage 5 CKD

Stage 5 CKD represents kidney failure with eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m², indicating loss of >85% of kidney function, according to the International journal of oral science 1
The American Academy of Nephrology recommends that patients with stage 5 CKD require kidney replacement therapy through dialysis or transplantation, as these remain the only proven treatment options 1

Stage 5 CKD patients have extremely high mortality risk, with adjusted 3-year and 5-year survival rates of only 55% and 40% respectively on dialysis, as reported by Endocrine Reviews 3
Delaying proven kidney replacement therapy in favor of unproven stem cell treatments would significantly worsen mortality and quality of life outcomes, as stated by the International journal of oral science and Endocrine Reviews 1, 3

The current evidence suggests that stem cell therapy works primarily through paracrine mechanisms that modulate injury responses, rather than regenerating functional nephrons, although this information is not directly cited, the fact that stage 5 CKD cannot be reversed by stem cells is supported by 1, 2
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases does not recommend stem cell therapy as a treatment for stage 5 CKD, as it cannot restore normal kidney function in stage 5 disease, and delaying proven treatments poses serious risks to survival and quality of life, as stated by Endocrine Reviews and the International journal of oral science 1, 3