Stem cells on the way to the clinic: diabetes

In collaboration with the biotech company ViaCyte, researchers at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), working under the leadership of Professor Robert Henry, have recently begun work on phase I-II of an unprecedented clinical trial of a cell therapy method designed to treat type 1 diabetes. The first procedure is scheduled for the end of October, and the second – presumably for the middle of November this year.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a life–threatening chronic autoimmune disease in which the pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin, a hormone necessary for the normal absorption of glucose by cells and its use as an energy source. As a rule, the disease is diagnosed in childhood or early adolescence and requires regular injections of insulin and adherence to a strict diet throughout life. To date, it is incurable.

As part of a 2-year clinical trial, approximately 40 patients in 4-6 clinics will undergo subcutaneous implantation of VC-01, which is a specially encapsulated progenitor cells obtained from embryonic stem cells. The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of various doses of VC-01.

The researchers hope that in the patients' body these cells will mature into full-fledged insulin-producing beta cells, as well as other cells of the pancreas, which should ensure stable synthesis of insulin and other biologically active substances synthesized by this organ.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on UCSD Health Sciences: Promise Put to the Test.

22.10.2014