BGS Global Hospitals is predominantly trying stem cell therapy in neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy and head injury.
We would like to scientifically evaluate the outcomes and the benefits in neurological disease where otherwise no cure or relief is possible with existing medical or surgical treatment, Dr N K Venkataramana, chief neurosurgeon and vice-chairman, BGS Global Hospitals told Pharmabiz in an email interaction,
There are many diseases that modern medicine has not been able to provide a cure or surgical relief to the patients. This problem gets compounded with neuro diseases as the patient gets disabled where the quality of life is significantly affected. This has got additional financial and social implications on the family. Medicine has advanced to this stage only with research and application of innovative ideas both in pharmacological therapy as well as biological therapy. Innovation is necessary in order to discover newer methods of treatment for human welfare. The results in spinal cord injury are not encouraging, he added.
In June 2009, the hospital made its first effort to successfully use stem cells for a patient with traumatic brain injury which were transplanted into the brain through a burr hole with navigation assisted surgery. The stem cell transfusion indicated the possibility of reactivating brain cells.
In a pilot study, BGS Global has been working to comprehend the use of stem cells in the treatment of head injuries. Utilizing the stem cells to reactivate nerve cells in many neurodegenerative disorders including spinal cord injury, we have been able to establish safety standards for stem cell transplants into the brain, stated Dr Venkataramana.
Stem cell therapy is becoming a growing field of science globally. Lot of interest in research as well as therapeutic applications is going on. India is also one of the countries which is actively participating in this area. Adult stem cells are now being popularly used.
The trends in research are quite promising. There is a tremendous amount of interest in understanding the mechanisms and the therapeutic benefits by the stem cells. So the future research will be in the direction of understanding the stem cells therapeutic benefits and expansion of the various clinical indications, stated Dr Venkataramana.
There are several clinical trials worldwide being conducted for treating neurological diseases, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, osteoarthritis, ischemic limb and in the field of regenerative medicine.
“Going by these developments, stem cells applications could become a frontline therapy for some of the diseases if not all. It is also possible that stem cells may be complementary or supplementary to the existing therapies. Medical scientists are also keen to assess its role in the prevention of diseases,” he pointed out.