Diabetes is a medical condition in which high blood sugar levels occur in the body. This is because the insulin level that controls the sugar level in the blood becomes insufficient or absent. Stem cell treatment is an advanced technique to treat patients suffering from diabetes. Stem cell therapy involves using stem cells that replace or repair damaged cells that produce insulin. Stem cell therapy for diabetes is an effective and permanent solution to diabetes but still, this technique is under study and for this reason, stem cell therapy for diabetes is not a standard treatment clinically. Conditions of each patient with diabetes can vary and stem cell therapy may not be the suitable treatment for every individual who has diabetes. Other treatment options like insulin injection, medications, and diet management are the crucial part of diabetes care. Stem cell therapy for diabetes may be the accessible and most promising treatment soon with more advanced studies and technology. It is said that stem cell therapy may provide hope to patients who have been living with diabetes for many years and there will be no need for regular insulin injections and medications.
Types of Diabetes Stem Cell Treatment India
Some types of stem cell therapy for diabetes are:
- Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy
- Pancreatic progenitor cell therapy
- Islet cell transplantation
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy
MSCs are the stem cells that are found in various tissues, such as bone marrow and fat tissue. They have some special kind of ability in them which may help to reduce the destruction of cells that produce insulin which is associated with type 1 diabetes. It allows the survival of cells that produce insulin.
Pancreatic progenitor cell therapy
Pancreatic progenitor cells are a type of stem cell that can develop into different cell types that are found in the pancreas, including the cells that produce insulin. This method of stem cell therapy is still under study and investigation.
Islet cell transplantation
Islet cell transplantation is the treatment in which healthy cells from a donor pancreas are transplanted into the patient’s liver through minimally invasive procedures. This procedure is more effective than other treatments but it may require medications.
Procedure of stem cell therapy for diabetes
Stem Cell Sourcing: In stem cell therapy for diabetes, the stem cells can be obtained from the patient's own body or by a person who is a close relative of the patient. In this way, the rejection can be minimized.
Cell Expansion and Differentiation: Once the stem cells are obtained, they undergo a process in which they increase in their numbers. Then, scientists promote these stem cells to differentiate into insulin-producing cells.
Quality Control and Verification: Throughout the differentiation process, strict quality control measures are taken to ensure the safety and functionality of the resulting insulin-producing cells. Regular testing and verification are conducted to confirm the identity and stability of the cells.
Cell Transplantation: After obtaining enough functional beta cells, they are prepared for transplantation. Depending on the medical team's preferences and the patient's condition, the transplantation can occur through intravenous injection or direct transplantation into the pancreas or liver by using minimally invasive procedures.
Post-Transplantation Monitoring: After stem cell transplantation, patients need to go for regular monitoring to measure the success rate and the effectiveness of therapy and safety. Regular check-ups and blood tests are conducted to assess blood sugar levels, insulin production, and the overall health of the patient.
Immunosuppression: When the other person’s stem cells are used in therapy, the medications are used to suppress the immunity of a patient to prevent the rejection of transplanted stem cells. It promotes the success rate of diabetes.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes in India
The cost of stem cell therapy for diabetes ranges from 4,500 to 9000 USD. The cost can vary according to the condition of the patient, the skills of the surgeon, and the facilities of the hospital. The cost can also vary if the complications appear during or after the procedure of stem cell transplantation.
Stem Cell therapy for Diabetes : 4500 USD - 8933 USD
Symptoms and Risk factors
Some of the diseases and conditions that may be treated with stem cell therapy in the future include:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Complications of diabetes
- Uncontrolled diabetes despite other conventional treatments
- Beta cell dysfunction or loss
- Preventing disease progression
- Islet autoimmunity
- Insulin resistance
- Gestational diabetes
Risk factors of stem cell therapy
Some of the risk factors of stem cell therapy are:
Graft Rejection
There is a risk of rejection of the transplanted stem cell because the body may recognize these cells as foreign bodies and react by attacking and destroying them.
Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD)
When the other person donates the stem cell to the patient, there is a risk that the donor's immune cells may attack the tissues of the patient who received the therapy leading to a condition called GVHD.
There is a risk of forming a tumor in those cells which can be converted to any type of cell uncontrollably and without any specification.
Infection
During stem cell therapy for diabetes, there is a risk of developing infections. Proper techniques and careful procedures should be performed to avoid infections.
Immunosuppression Risks
Patients who receive stem cell therapies may need to take some medications to prevent rejection of the stem cells. These medications can weaken the body’s natural defense system and increase the risk of infections.
Incorrect Differentiation
There is a risk of stem cells differentiated into the cell type which is not the demand of the procedure. If this process is not well-controlled, the transplanted cells may not function as needed.
Unintended Side Effects
As with any medical treatment, there may be other side effects or long-term consequences of stem cell therapy that require further medical management and care.
