India has what it takes

CHENNAI: India has the potential to become the superstar of stem cells in five years, given its innovation capabilities. US-based McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine cardiac stem cell therapy director Dr Amit N Patel said the approach to stem cell treatment has to be systematic. “There is no quackery involved. Since there are so many small clinics, having a systematic approach is essential,” he added.

Instead of having little clinics built around patients, Chennai has the most advanced infrastructure to support stem cell research as LifeCell has the ability to produce pharmaceuticals using cells. Developing the right back-lab is the key, he said.

While protocols are still developing in India, it could learn from other countries’ mistakes. Cutting-edge work is being done here. The disease-patient population is more important than the kind of cells used. “We need to move objectively in cell therapy as it takes time. It can even take months to see the real effect,” he noted.

The outcome of cell-release in a diabetic patient may be different from one suffering from multiple disorders. Therefore, personalised medication is a vital factor that has to be taken into consideration. Dr Patel said cardiac problems have hugely benefited from stem-cell research and those set to benefit profusely included diabetes, liver and neurological disorders.

If Germany is leading on the cardiac front, Japan is gaining on the liver front, South America for cardiac, diabetes and liver with the US progressing mostly on cardiac problems. Many trials have shown positive results and a combination of theories are at work. Also, the various phases of recovery and rejuvenation have to be taken into consideration, Dr Patel said.