Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in India
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy is a promising avenue in regenerative medicine. In this medicine, the patient’s stem cells generate cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. This further helps reduce inflammation and significantly improves the regulation of blood sugar levels. Autologous Stem Cell Therapy is proven to be beneficial for Type 1 diabetes, where the patient’s immune system starts destroying the beta cells responsible for producing insulin. The therapy is also emerging as a promising treatment option for Type 2 diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, the beta cells responsible for producing insulin begin to function poorly.
While this therapy is still under trial and in the experimental stage, India is actively exploring diabetes treatment options through these therapies. Several medical care centers in India provide Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for diabetic patients.
What is Autologous Stem Cell Therapy
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy is a regenerative medical procedure that utilizes the healthy cells in a patient’s body to replace the damaged cells causing the insulin imbalances. The method includes harvesting the healthy cells from the patient’s body and reintroducing them to the patient’s immune system. The key goal here is to effectively utilize the regenerative potential of the stem cells to repair or regenerate insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The treatment aims to fix the damaged or impaired cells and replace them with healthy ones.
How Medical Care Centers are Approaching Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes
Autologous stem cell therapy for diabetic patients in India is emerging as a promising option. However, still under trial, the results are proving to be effective, specially for Type 1 diabetes. Since the therapy is still in experimental phase, the medical centers are strictly following the guidelines of The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The potential benefits look very positive and promising. The positive impact is particularly visible in generation of beta cells, further helping in production of insulation cells. India has advanced medical care centers, which are equipped with high-tech facilities to conduct the trials and support this experimental phase. It is recommended that the patients should move forward with caution and be very open to discuss all their queries with the medical care experts. It is very important to choose the option of reputed institutions and move forward with regulatory insights.
Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes: Mechanism for the Treatment
Stem Cell therapy is emerging as an alternative medicine for treating stubborn diseases. The mechanism for each type of treatment could be different. For the treatment of diabetes, the following mechanism is followed.
Beta Cells Regeneration:
Stem cell therapy for diabetic patients focuses on regenerating new beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells are responsible for the production of insulin in the human body. Once introduced to the immune system, stem cells can differentiate into pancreatic cells. With this ability, they can potentially restore the ability to produce insulin. This will likely reduce the need for insulin medications (injections or oral medicines).
Inflammation Reduction:
Stem cells, such as Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and other types of cells, have anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation in the human body leads to the chances of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes spreading into the human body. Inflammation reduction with the help of stem cells protects the pancreas from further damage.
Insulation Sensitivity Improvement:
Diabetic conditions occur not only because the body’s cells are less able to produce insulin but also because the cells in the body are not able to respond to insulin effectively. Stem cells can help make the human body’s cells more sensitive to insulin and respond effectively, reducing the chances of diabetic conditions becoming more aggressive.
Effective Modulation of the Immune System:
A disturbed immune modulation system condition occurs in Type 1 diabetes, which attacks and damages the cells producing the immune system. Stem cells help make immune system modulation more effective. This enables the immune system to respond to the process of diabetic cells from affecting the healthy cells. This also helps reduce autoimmune attacks on the pancreas.
More info on the Types of Stem Cells Used in Autologous Therapy for Diabetes
Different types of stem cells are used to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The following are the key ones that medical experts have been using during their research.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are highly used to treat diabetes. These stem cells are mainly sourced from bone marrow, fat tissues, and the blood of the umbilical cord. These cells have regenerative capacities and can further transform into insulin-producing cells. With their ability to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, these cells are considered helpful for treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells:
These stem cells are derived from Adipose tissue and are highly used for autologous stem cell therapy. Adipose tissues are considered a rich source of stem cell therapy. This process includes harvesting these cells from fat tissues. The process is less invasive than bone marrow aspirations, so this method is considered more preferred than bone marrow harvesting.
Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells:
Autologous stem cells are also derived from bone marrow. These stem cells can transform into pancreatic cells and contribute to the generation of beta cells (responsible for insulin production). The process of driving cells from bone marrow is under research, and further developments will help guide the procedure.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cells:
Autologous stem cells are derived from the patient’s blood in this type of stem cell extraction. The stem cells are extracted after the blood is stimulated with growth factors. These cells help reduce diabetic factors in the patient’s body. However, these cells are less commonly used than Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
Key Benefits of Using Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetes
- It helps in the regeneration of beta cells, which are further responsible for the production of insulin.
- The stem cell therapy helps in establishing a balance of insulin in the human body.
- Using this therapy reduces the chances of using insulin shots and medicines.
- Stem cells help in improving insulin sensitivity in the patient’s body.
- The therapy also helps in immune modulation, which enables the body to protect the newly generated beta cells and not attack them due to an autoimmune response.
- The therapy is minimally invasive and less painful.
- Since the cells are derived from the patient’s own body, the chances of immune rejection is relatively less.
Key Limitations of Using Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Diabetes
- There’s limited clinical data available for the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of diabetics.
- Since the therapy is still in its research and clinical trials phase, there’s more time to gather more data backing its validity and success.
- There are regulatory and ethical challenges, which are important to be considered by the medical care centers conducting clinical trials and research.
- The therapy is costly and still under its trial phase, so it is available with a limited scope.
- The stem cell therapy is not a proven treatment. It is a promising avenue, which still needs a lof of research and trials.
Status of Clinical Trials and Research for Stem Cells in India
India is emerging as an evolving hub for clinical trials and research for stem cells in various fields. There are several hospitals and medical care centres equipped with world-class technology and tools to provide high-quality trial facilities. Here is a list of leading hospitals and medical care centers offering stem cell research for diabetes in India:
Cost Estimation for Autologous Therapy for Diabetes in India
The cost of autologous stem cell therapy for diabetes in India varies based on several factors, including the source of stem cells, the city where the treatment is being conducted, the hospital providing the treatment, and how complex the procedure is. Usually, the cost ranges between ₹3,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 (roughly USD 3,600 to 12,000) on average for the complete stem cell treatment cycle.
Medtravellers, Gurugram:
Medtravellers is one of the leading medical care facilities providing advanced stem cell research. The center facilitates clinical trials for diabetes treatment using autologous stem cells (especially MSCs). The center currently facilitates both adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived stem cells. The focus is on conducting trials for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes using analogous stem cells.
Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi:
Apollo Hospital has established several centers across the country, which facilitate the research and trials of stem cell therapies for different kinds of ailments, including diabetes. Apollo has been conducting several clinical trials and research projects using analogous stem cells for the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The key research areas include the usage of MSCs, which help in the regeneration of pancreatic cells. This further helps in effective insulation production.
Fortis Healthcare, New Delhi:
Fortis Healthcare is another renowned name for conducting stem cell therapy research for diabetes treatment. Several hospital centers are running trials on autologous stem cell treatments, mainly MSCs, to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi:
AIIMs being one of the most prestigious institutions in India, is actively involved in conducting responsible clinical research in India for stem cells. For treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes the hospital has been testing using Autologous Stem Cell such as MSCs as well as other types of stem cells.
Dr Stem Cell Therapy:
Dr Stem Cell Therapy is a renowned company specializijng in conducting trial and research for stem-cell related therapies. Their research focuses on using umbilical cord-derived stem cells as well as adipose-derived stem cells for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes, as well as other types of health conditons.
FAQs
Stem cells are present in the human body’s immune system, and they can differentiate into different types of cells.
What do Stem Cells Do?
Stem cells have the regenerative capacity and help create healthy cells in the human body. These cells help reduce the signs of ailment and empower the human immune system to achieve health.
What Causes Diabetes?
Ineffective insulin production in the pancreas or inadequate usage of insulin produced causes diabetes.
How Effective is Stem Cell Treatment for Diabetes?
Stem cell treatment is emerging as a promising treatment option for diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2). However, it is still under trial and needs more research data to reach a detailed conclusion.
What is the Status of Stem Cell Therapy in India?
At present, stem cell therapy is in the trial and research phases. Although it looks promising, more clinical trials and long-term data/insights are required to ensure safety and effectiveness parameters.