Unlike drugs which are single molecules, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may be converted into products which may behave as regulatory vehicles to treat various conditions like multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis and infections”, said Dr Pradeep V Mahajan, StemRx Bioscience Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai on the occasion of the 3rd annual national conference of the Stem Cell Society of India (SCSI) held at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi recently.

The conference was attended by researchers and doctors from all over the country who specialize in cellular therapy. Dr Balram Airan, Dean (Academics) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), inaugurated the event.

Dr Mahajan, who is also the treasurer of SCSI gave a presentation on the topic ‘Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Drug Molecules’. He talked on the limitations of conventional treatment modalities and brought into light various aspects of stem cell technology.

He went on to say that India will not be far from countries like US, Japan, Korea and China in research on stem cell technology. These countries have changed rules and policy to help flourish science and technology without limitation. India’s Union health ministry is on its way to consider proposal on new rules and regulation on stem cell research. Stem cells will break all stereo type in medical world.

“Unlike drugs which are single molecules, mesenchymal stem cells  act as medicinal signaling agents. MSCs act as injury-specific drug stores in the body. These cells are capable of complex functions involving many bioactive factors”, says Dr Mahajan.

He further explained, “Besides the promising attributes of MSCs in regenerative medicine, these cells may also be converted into products which may behave as regulatory vehicles to treat various conditions like multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis and infections”.

By explaining the various properties of MSCs, he highlighted that if stem cells are considered as drug therapy, regulatory policies and management logistics should differ from those existing for conventional drug molecules. He added that, ‘Stem cell technology starts where conventional medication ends.’

Simultaneously, stem cell specialists of the Indian Stem Cell Study Group under the banner of Anti-aging foundation, Indian Orthopedic Rheumatology Association and Stem Cell Society of India conducted their first meeting to develop academic, research and standardization protocols in cellular therapy. A standardized protocol for a vascular necrosis will be finalized shortly by this group. An international patent for the same condition has already been filed by Dr Mahajan.

The AIIMS has also proposed to start a clinical trial to establish the efficacy of stem cell therapy for various conditions. “With the kind of breakthrough research happening in the field of cellular therapy, the day will soon come when a pill will be replaced by a cell”, concluded Dr Mahajan.