Global Hospitals forays into adult stem cell therapy

Global Hospitals, a city-based multi-organ transplantation specialist, has forayed into adult stem cell therapy. Stem cells can be embryonic, foetal or adult.

While embryonic and foetal stem cell therapies have been mired in controversies with regard to issues of safety and ethics, adult stem cells are claimed to be safer as they can be obtained from one's own body. Bone marrow is said to be the richest source of stem cells.

Addressing the media, K Ravindranath, managing director of Global Hospitals, said, "Stem cells have the capacity of self-renewal and trans-differentiation, which means that they can regenerate and function as the cells of the organ where they are implanted."

Initially, Global Hospitals intends to focus on spinal cord injuries and cardiac dysfunction, wherein alternative treatment is usually not available.

According to GPV Subbaiah, spine surgeon, Global Hospitals, this therapy has been given to three patients in their 20s who were paralysed after road accidents and it has helped in their partial recovery.

He added that it was the first time in India where a spinal cord injury was given stem cell treatment. The recovery period ranges between three months and one year and the therapy can be repeated.

With regard to cardiac treatment, this therapy has been tried on five cases and the heart's pumping capacity is claimed to have improved in four cases.

The hospital charges, on an average, Rs 30,000 for a cardiac case and Rs 70,000 for a spinal cord case in case of stem cell therapy.

According to Ravindranath, the hospital now plans to work with the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Kobe, Japan, for research on islet cells which can help in the treatment of diabetes.