Stem cell therapy is gaining more and more popularity around the world because of its ability to help treat a variety of ailments, ranging from autoimmune diseases to degenerative disorders. The good news is that stem cell therapy is possible in India too, and there are a few top hospitals where this advanced treatment is available. Medical value travel, where patients come from all over to access high-quality and advanced therapies at a much lower cost than they would pay in their home countries, has made India a central location for advanced therapies. But what is stem cell therapy, and how available and effective is it in India? Let’s break it down.

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are the structures of the human body. Stem cells can turn into various types of cells, such as muscle cells, bone cells, or nerve cells. This allows them to be used in treating numerous disorders. In biological stem cell therapy, we use stem cells to heal or replace physically damaged tissues and organs.

There are two major types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which are still in research, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which have multiple treatments. MSCs can be from many tissues, including bone marrow, adipose tissues, and umbilical cord.

Common Conditions Treated with Stem Cell Therapy in India

Stem cell therapy is available in India for a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Autoimmune Diseases: Stem cell therapy can assist in ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis. Healing damaged joints and tissues surrounding them can reduce inflammation and improve joint performance.

• Degenerative Diseases: Stem cell therapy can utilize stem cells to regenerate degenerating cells in diseases such as osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy, or Parkinson’s disease.

• Neurological Diseases: Stem cells have some promise for diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, and spinal damage. In all instances there is nerve cell damage, and stem cells may regenerate these areas.

• Chronic Conditions: Stem cells can aid in chronic conditions such as back pain, diabetes, or heart diseases by repairing tissue and reducing inflammation.

• Cancer Treatment: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used to treat specific cancers, such as leukemia, restoring the body’s ability to make blood cells after chemotherapy or radiation.

How Stem Cell Therapy Works

Stem cell therapy is surprisingly simple. The stem cells are taken from the body of the patient and are injected back into the patient, either intravenously or directly at the area of concern, depending on the condition. The stem cells secrete proteins that stimulate the body’s natural healing response, repair tissue, and fight inflammation. 

In patients with osteoarthritis, stem cells might be injected directly into the joint to regenerate cartilage and provide relief. In patients with heart disease, stem cells can be injected directly into the heart to heal tissue and enhance function.

Stem Cell Therapy in India: The Advantages

Stem cell therapy in India is gaining popularity for a number of reasons:

• Value for money: Stem cell therapy is inexpensive in India compared to many Western countries, therefore it is a great option for overseas patients who want quality and cost effective treatment.

• Facilities: Hospital and treatment centres across India provide world-class quality stem cell therapy with advanced technology and qualified medical professionals to ensure care is performed with the safest and highest quality.

• Availability: Stem cell treatment is readily available in India, notably in large cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, which have clinics and hospitals that are permitted to offer the latest stem cell treatments for different diseases and have good treatment facilities.

• The Quality of the Doctors: India has a number of highly qualified, knowledgeable, and experienced doctors and surgeons specializing in regenerative medicine with internationally accredited training.

Stem Cell Treatment in India: Process

The steps that are involved in getting stem cell therapy in India usually involve the following process:

• Consultation and Diagnosis: The first step is consultation, then the doctor will assess the patient and see if stem cell therapy is right for them. First, the physician will assess the condition which could include a physical exam, obtaining medical history, and perhaps other tests.

• Stem Cell Harvesting: After the physician has determined that the patient is considered ok for treatment, the next step would be stem cell harvesting. Harvesting of stem cells may include obtaining stem cells from the patient (autologous stem cells) or from a donor. The most usual forms of stem cells for transplant include using stem cells from bone marrow, fat tissue, and umbilical cord blood. 

• Administer the stem cells: Once the stem cells are harvested and created in the lab, they are then injected into the patient. The injected stem cells could be given to the patient as an intravenous administration or an injection to the injured location. 

• Follow-Up Care: After treatment, the patient will be monitored for a short period of time to make sure no short-term side effects are occurring and will require additional appointments as follow-up to monitor the progress of the treatment.

Stem Cell Therapy Cost in India

Cost is probably the main reason patients from other countries choose stem cell therapy in India. Though prices can vary based on what kind of treatment and which medical facility patients go to, stem cell treatment in India will still be much cheaper than in Western countries. For example, the costs of stem cell therapy in the U.S. or Europe can be as high as $10,000 to $30,000 for one treatment, while in India it may only cost $2,000 to $5,000.

With this level of cost-effectiveness combined with a higher level of care, India has become a leading option for stem cell therapy, especially among medical tourists.

Risks and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy

There are risks associated with stem cell therapy, as there are risks associated with any treatment, including the risk of infection, bleeding, and the possibility of using ineffective stem cells. However, in general, stem cell therapy is relatively safe if provided by trained professionals in an accredited medical facility. 

Most patients who continue with stem cell therapy are best served by making sure their clinic has at least a reasonable reputation with licensed physicians. Patients should also ensure that their treatment is tailored to their specific problem.

Traceability of Stem Cell Therapy in India

Although stem cell therapy is a new area of medicine, there are governing bodies in India, such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), that propose a regulatory framework within which stem cell treatments can operate. It is important to reign in the context of a regulatory body in that stem cell therapy is considered experimental, and therefore, not all stem cell procedures are governed by the same level of scrutiny as regular treatments.

Stem Cell Therapy Case Studies in India

Stem cell treatment is producing excellent results in India in a number of different areas of medicine, with some of the more interesting cases described below:

• Ocular Surface Reconstruction: Dr. Virender Singh Sangwan and his colleagues from the LV Prasad Eye Institute conducted a study where they displayed their ability to restore vision to patients with corneal wounds using limbal stem cells. The protocol is simple: they use healthy eye tissue, grow the appropriate amount of stem cells on the amniotic membrane (fresh or frozen), and then transplant the stem cells to the injured eye. They carried out over 800 transplants, and 76% of the patients they operated on regained vision. 

• Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: There have been over 1500 bone marrow transplants, in 11 of the centers across India since 2008. More generally, there have been more than 8000 hematopoietic cell transplants over the years with overall success at 20% with patients with uncontrolled blood cancers up to 80-90% success with younger patients with aplastic anaemia. 

• Sequential Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Kidney Transplant: A 35-year-old woman with multiple myeloma received a stem cell transplant prior to a kidney transplant, and her post-operative course was excellent.

Market Growth

India’s mesenchymal stem cell market was valued at approximately USD 77.5 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% growing to USD 195.4 million by 2030.

Conclusion

In summary, stem cell therapy in India is a supportive treatment option for patients suffering from chronic degenerative diseases. With its modern healthcare infrastructure, trained professionals and affordable treatment options, stem cell therapy is alleviating the suffering of many patients who travel from every part of the world. The risks of stem cell therapy are the same as with any other medical procedure but the good news is that stem cell therapy in India is regulated so if the patient goes to licensed facilities for treatment they can be safe and secure in those treatments. Because of the growth of medical tourism in India, there is a slowly growing number of patients coming for stem cell therapy for their health issues, and they are usually paying about half or less than half of what they would pay in other facilities.

FAQs

1. What diseases are treated with stem cell therapy in India?

Stem cell therapy in India is being offered for a number of diseases, including autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis), degenerative diseases (osteoarthritis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease), neurological disorders (ALS, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injury), chronic diseases (back pain, diabetes, heart disease, etc.), and certain cancers through a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

2. How does stem cell therapy in India compare to the costs found in their respective countries?

Stem cell therapy in India costs $2,000-$5,000 per treatment as compared to $10,000-$30,000 in Western countries. These lower prices and the growth in health care have made India an increasingly popular destination for medical tourists exploring and pursuing stem cell therapy.

3. How does the stem cell therapy process work in India?

The procedure follows four steps: (1) the initial consultation and diagnosis to determine if you are a good candidate; (2) stem cell harvesting from your own body (bone marrow, fat tissue) or from a donor; (3) infusion of stem cells—via IV or injection in the afflicted area; and (4) follow-up and monitoring to check on treatment progress and safety.

4. Is stem cell therapy safe and regulated in India? 

When used by trained licensed professionals in a reputable and accredited facility, stem cell therapy is believed to be relatively safe. There are regulatory agencies in India (e.g., the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)) that regulate stem cell therapy when done ethically. Stem cell therapy has the status of being experimental medicine in India, so it is important that patients verify that they are using licensed clinics based on physician competence first and reputation second.