Tragic case in Moscow highlights dangers of unregulated placental therapies
A 22-year-old medical student from Sechenov University in Moscow died after an apparent attempt to self-administer an immunomodulatory drug derived from placental tissue. The sequence of events, reported by health authorities and local media, points to a troubling pattern: people seeking quick health fixes turn to unverified injections and infusions without medical supervision.
The student, identified in reports as Anna K., was taken to a research hospital where clinicians diagnosed poisoning from a drug introduced intravenously. Investigators later described the drug as an immune therapy based on placental components. Health officials noted that the drug was not prescribed by a physician, and the patient reportedly prepared the solution herself before administration. Doctors are continuing to determine the exact mechanism of the toxicity and the role of the preparation in the patient’s decline.
Medical experts urged caution around placental-derived products. Immunologist Georgy Vikulov commented to the press that while some individuals pursue anti-aging or rejuvenating effects with placental-based therapies, he does not use these products in his own practice and would not recommend them to patients. He cited ethical concerns and a lack of robust scientific evidence supporting safety and efficacy. He also emphasized that any drug administered without a physician’s prescription carries serious risks.
Subsequent reports described the student’s boyfriend, Dmitry Zhulin, as also being hospitalized after receiving a non-prescribed infusion of the same immunomodulatory agent. Early assessments suggested the response to the drug may involve an adverse reaction to foreign proteins found in placental-derived preparations, though investigators have not yet released definitive causal conclusions.
According to initial hospital accounts, Anna K. endured a two-week intensive care stay and received infusions every couple of days for roughly a month. The couple’s condition reportedly deteriorated during travel, with a severe chill, headache, and a fever spiking to dangerous levels during a flight to a warm destination. Medical teams diagnosed septic complications, and both patients remained under close monitoring as trials to determine the exact cause continued.
The timeline indicates that the solution was prepared on a specific date and left to sit before use; after several days, clinicians found signs of contamination and protein coagulation within the containers. Independent medical reviewers have stressed that self-preparation of intravenous therapies without professional oversight can lead to unpredictable and potentially fatal outcomes.
Independent clinicians have highlighted general cautions about intravenous therapies administered outside a clinical setting. Intravenous and infusion-based medications should always be prescribed and supervised by qualified healthcare providers. The combination of large fluid volumes and rapid administration can overwhelm the body, potentially causing pulmonary edema or acute heart complications. Patients with chronic kidney or liver conditions may be especially vulnerable to fluid imbalances and drug interactions.
Experts also noted that placenta-based products, including certain hydrolysates marketed for wellness purposes, are not universally standardized. The exact composition of commercial placental derivatives is not always disclosed by manufacturers, and the evidence base for broad preventive or therapeutic claims remains limited. Medical authorities advise patients to exercise skepticism toward supplements or injectables advertised as life-extending or immune-boosting remedies that lack rigorous clinical testing.
Inquiries continue as investigators seek to establish a clear understanding of the events and to determine whether broader public health guidance should be issued on the use of placental-derived therapies. Clinicians reiterate that safety hinges on medical supervision, proven efficacy, and transparent labeling that aligns with established pharmacological standards. The unfolding case underscores the importance of relying on evidence-based medicine and the critical role of regulatory oversight in preventing harm from untested substances.