Can stem cells cure the incurable?

Stem cell therapy is now considered as the future of medicine. The revolutionary treatment may hold the key to curing diseases like Alzheimer's, autism, and even cancer, thanks to its regenerative abilities.

How did stem cell therapy become of the ‘medical innovation of the century’? 

According to scientists, stem cells have the unique ability to renew and differentiate into specialized adult cells. In simpler words, these unique cells are able to make identical copies of each other and can grow into different cell types. 

What does this mean?

This one-of-a-kind ability allows stem cells to repair damaged body tissues, making them a potential cure for serious diseases that attack cells. 

Here’s the larger picture. 

According to the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, 959 regenerative medicine companies globally sponsored 1,052 active clinical trials in 2019. Europe saw 233 companies undertake trials, Asia undertook 166, and North America totaled a staggering 525. The report also sheds light on the investment gone into research in 2019 — a whopping $7.4 billion. What’s more, data also affirms that the stem cell market is going to increase by 36.52% between 2017-2021. 

Stem Cell Therapy in India

Despite being acknowledged globally for its ability to treat fatal diseases, very little research has been conducted in India to explore the potential of stem cells — especially with regard to blood disorders. 

India has a high rate of blood cancer, which can be tackled through stem cell therapy. However, there are just over 4 lakh registered donors in India, according to Datri, an NGO based in Chennai. Around 40 people are diagnosed with blood-related disorders every day in the country and their chances to find a match are a meager 25 percent due to a severe lack of donors. This makes raising awareness about stem cell therapy the need of the hour. 

This is where Datri comes in. Due to their awareness efforts, they have managed to save more than 600 lives —  including that of Garima Saraswat — who was diagnosed with acute leukemia in 2016. Her only remedy, as prescribed by the doctor, was a blood stem cell transplant. 

A year later, in 2017, Garima’s cure arrived in the form of Gurumoorthy, a donor who registered in 2016. While looking for a match for Garima, Datri contacted Guru who was more than willing to volunteer. Garima underwent the procedure and gained a second chance at life! That’s the immense power of stem cell therapy.

Plexus – the future of Stem Cell Therapy in India 

Plexus, a Bangalore-based stem cell research center has taken a leap in the field as their methods aren’t dependent on donors. 

The neuro and stem cell research institute was founded by Dr Na’eem Sadiq, a neurologist and a stem cell specialist, who after working in England and the Middle East, returned to India with one aim — to make lives better with stem cell therapy.

At Plexus, the stem cells used for treatment are obtained from the patient’s body itself (bone marrow, adipose tissue) which in medical terms is called Autologous therapy. 

Moreover, the said process also nullifies the risk of rejection. 

When a donor is involved, the patient’s body might reject the cells which can lead to severe complications leading to an increase in the cost and time of treatment. 

Keeping all the crucial factors involving stem cell therapy in mind, the simple yet effective procedure at Plexus involves:

• Extensive analysis of the patient’s history, followed by a thorough physical examination 
• Detailed blood examination, disease-relevant X-rays, and scans to ensure eligibility for stem cell therapy
• Careful stem cell collection from the patient’s own bone marrow under local anesthesia the next day
• Selective sample separation and quality check of the samples in the laboratory
• Isolated stem cells are sent back to the hospital for the procedure
• Patients are discharged on the same day
• Subsequent visits are planned as per treatment protocol

The same procedure was followed to cure Amit Kapoor suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In his own words, Kapoor now feels ‘rejuvenated’. 

“Plexus is an absolutely optimistic place where half of your problem disappears once you meet Dr.Naeem Sadiq and the way he addresses the issue,” writes Kapoor in his testimonial. 

Kapoor asserts that after undergoing treatment at Plexus, he not only recovered physiologically but could feel a significant increase in his confidence level too. 

In his testimonial, Kapoor also notes, “Excellent support team and an outstanding doctor! Feels like a family! I would strongly recommend Plexus... keep it up.” 

Kapoor’s is just one example where a patient came in dejected and left with a renewed perspective on life. Dr Na’eem Sadiq and his highly professional team at Plexus have successfully treated patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Autism, and Cerebral Palsy. 

Dr Na’eem and his wonder clinic is just the boost which stem cell therapy in India needed!