Recently Dr Pradeep V Mahajan was honoured with Paris Appreciation Awards, 2017 for Excellence in stem cell therapy. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of StemRx Bioscience Solutions Pvt Ltd. In an interview with ETHealthworld, Dr Mahajan talks about the latest advancements in stem cell therapy and where it stands in healthcare system today. Edited excerpts :
How well informed are the doctors today about the cellular therapy? Is it time consuming? Where does cellular therapy stand in the Indian Healthcare system today?
For more than four decades, medical fraternity has knowledge about stem cell science and its potential therapeutic applications. However, earlier, clinicians were commonly aware of hematopoietic stem cell therapy, but were relatively uninformed about the advantages of mesenchymal stem cells. This could be attributed to the medical course syllabus which initially did not include topics specifically on cellular therapy.
Despite the technological advances that medical science is witnessing, it is not possible at present to predict the exact time when cellular therapy and regenerative medicine will replace existing forms of pharmacological and surgical treatments. Nonetheless, there is increasing awareness amongst clinicians who now more receptive to and are advising cell based therapy as an effective therapeutic modality for treatment of diseases.
Which are the diseases that can be treated through cellular therapy? What are the latest advancements?
Cellular therapy and regenerative medicine focuses on eliminating the root cause of the problem by use of cells (cytokines, chemokines etc.), growth factors from ones own body. Orthopedic conditions such as avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke etc., as well as diabetes, liver, genitourinary disorders, dermatological conditions and many more can achieve benefits from cellular therapy. This form of therapy can be further explored in management of organ failure, to overcome rejection following organ transplants, developmental defects, cancer immunotherapy etc.
Research advances pertaining to introducing products with cell and scaffold based technology through tissue engineering are underway. Bioactive scaffolds that are capable of supporting activation and differentiation of host stem cells at the required site are being developed. In the future it will be possible to use human native sites as micro-niche/micro-environment for potentiation of the human body's site-specific response.
Technologically, advances have been made over the years in both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Molecular imaging technology (optical imaging, positron emission tomography etc.) has simplified research on disease mechanism and treatment evaluation related to cell based therapy. Several new technologies are being introduced that simplify the process of isolation and characterization of cells. One such example is the Prodigy technology which completely automates the procedure of cell manufacturing from start to finish, thus enabling standardization and GMP compliance. In addition, detection and identification of specific cell populations is now possible through gene labeling techniques. Similarly, advances in microscopy have enabled study of cell behavior with respect to their surroundings.
What is the scope of cellular therapy in the country?
India is a nation with increasing population demands. Our country is seeing an alarmingly rapid rise in occurrence of diseases and conventional treatment modalities are gradually losing potential to cure affected individuals. Being a developing economy, the application and opportunity of cellular therapy and regenerative medicine is different when compared to other countries. A number game exists between diseases (such as cancer, lifestyle related, autoimmune conditions etc.) and finances in our country. The aim of cellular therapy is to enable a diseased person to use his own body cells for treatment thereby addressing the issue of extreme financial burden as seen with conventional treatment modalities. This will drastically benefit our patients and country and will also propagate India towards becoming the leader in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.
Follow this link:
Cell based therapy is gaining momentum : Dr Pradeep V Mahajan - ETHealthworld.com
- Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy Instrumental - April 2nd, 2011 [April 2nd, 2011]
- Dogged by pain -- stem cell therapy for dogs - April 3rd, 2011 [April 3rd, 2011]
- SIRA: Could Stem Cell Therapy Renew Your Body Cells? – Affordable ... - April 22nd, 2011 [April 22nd, 2011]
- SIRA: Could Stem Cell Therapy Renew Your Body Cells? - April 22nd, 2011 [April 22nd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Kidney Failure - May 13th, 2011 [May 13th, 2011]
- Dogs now getting stem cell therapy - May 19th, 2011 [May 19th, 2011]
- Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy Official Music Video (VJ CodyDietz.com ReMiX) - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Autism - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Dog Undergoes Stem Cell Therapy - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Cerebral Palsy - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Type II Diabetes - May 31st, 2011 [May 31st, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy Success - May 31st, 2011 [May 31st, 2011]
- Heart Failure Patient After Adult Stem Cell Therapy - June 1st, 2011 [June 1st, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy Cream: Less Wrinkles In 30 Days or Less Anti-Wrinkle Cream That Works - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis - June 13th, 2011 [June 13th, 2011]
- Clinical Advances in Adult Stem Cell Therapy: Dr. Jorge Paz - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Injection Treatment - Stem Cell Therapy - June 21st, 2011 [June 21st, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury - Injured Airline Pilot Flies Again - July 1st, 2011 [July 1st, 2011]
- Documentary: Stem Cell Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy - Ryan Benton's Story - July 1st, 2011 [July 1st, 2011]
- Documentary: Stem Cell Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy - Ryan Benton's Story - July 1st, 2011 [July 1st, 2011]
- XCell-Center Stem Cell Therapy Christmas Video 2010 - July 2nd, 2011 [July 2nd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke - Gary Steinberg, Stanford University - July 9th, 2011 [July 9th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy Injections - July 9th, 2011 [July 9th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy MS: Sam Harrell and The Superbowl - July 13th, 2011 [July 13th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Therapy Clinical Advances - Dr. Jorge Paz in San Diego, CA March 2011 - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): UCSD Team's Stem Cell Therapy Rationale - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): UCSD Team's Stem Cell Therapy Rationale - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy--Hillcrest Animal Hospital - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Regenerative Medicine With Stem Cell Therapy Injections at an Arizona pain clinic (602) 507-6550 - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Bone Marrow Aspiration - Stem Cell Therapy - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- The New World of Medicine: Stem Cell Therapy - July 29th, 2011 [July 29th, 2011]
- Post Stem Cell Therapy Video for Cerebral Palsy - August 3rd, 2011 [August 3rd, 2011]
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): Stem Cell Therapy - A Patient's Perspective - August 5th, 2011 [August 5th, 2011]
- Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS): Stem Cell Therapy - A Patient's Perspective - August 5th, 2011 [August 5th, 2011]
- Stroke Victim Improved With Stem Cell Therapy. More at http://www.stemcellfusion.com - August 9th, 2011 [August 9th, 2011]
- WAVE3 News Adipose Stem Cell Therapy - August 14th, 2011 [August 14th, 2011]
- Embryonic stem cell therapy in China (www.esctherapy.com) - August 17th, 2011 [August 17th, 2011]
- Ying Liu discusses IPS cell therapy for ALS - August 17th, 2011 [August 17th, 2011]
- KO Clancy - August 24th, 2011 [August 24th, 2011]
- Stem cell therapy in Guatemala - (closer than China) - August 26th, 2011 [August 26th, 2011]
- ATP Cell Therapy - August 27th, 2011 [August 27th, 2011]
- Dr. Craig Saunders Adult Stem Cell Therapy - August 28th, 2011 [August 28th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury - Stem Cell Therapy - August 29th, 2011 [August 29th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy For Alzheimer's/Dementia - September 13th, 2011 [September 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy For Alzheimer's/Dementia - September 13th, 2011 [September 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy (Regenerative Medicine) in New Jersey - September 17th, 2011 [September 17th, 2011]
- Clinical Advances in Adult Stem Cell Therapy - Dr. Jorge Paz Rodriguez (Miami) - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy Skin Repair and Anti-Wrinkle Cream - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- SENS5 - Cellular Therapy for Intestinal Regeneration - September 29th, 2011 [September 29th, 2011]
- channel 10 news stem cell therapy for hair loss part 2.flv - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Multiple Sclerosis Stem Cell Therapy News Coverage - October 4th, 2011 [October 4th, 2011]
- Stem-Cell-Therapy-in-China.wmv - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Adickes: Stem cell therapy - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Don Reed: Why we need new stem cell therapies and how you can help - October 5th, 2011 [October 5th, 2011]
- Repair Your Joint Injuries With Stem Cell Therapy | Los Angeles | Beverly Hills | Hollywood - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Repair Your Joint Injuries With Stem Cell Therapy | Los Angeles | Beverly Hills | Hollywood - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Ovation Cell Therapy Review (request) - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Glazer's Edge: Peyton's Stem Cells - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Glazer's Edge: Peyton's Stem Cells - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- The Spinal Cord Journey - Stem cell therapy stories from three spinal cord injury patients - October 6th, 2011 [October 6th, 2011]
- Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Randolph veterinarian uses new stem cell therapy on ailing pets - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Autism - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- 1 month after using Ovation Hair Cell Therapy and the results are...... - Video - October 13th, 2011 [October 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Series: Part 1 - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS patient) - Video - October 15th, 2011 [October 15th, 2011]
- Affordable Stem Cell Therapy in Guatemala (2hrs from Miami) - Video - October 16th, 2011 [October 16th, 2011]
- Duffy Update, Post Stem Cell Therapy - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Duffy Gets Stem Cell Therapy - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Congestive Heart Failure - October 20th, 2011 [October 20th, 2011]
- CELL THERAPY - Video - October 23rd, 2011 [October 23rd, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy in Cardiac Disease - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Community Outreach Dallas - Darnell Morris - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- UMBILICAL CORD STEM CELL THERAPY - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Stimulates IDO - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Goodie Mob - Cell Therapy ( Killuminati Music ) - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]