Recently, a 25-year-old woman in China with type 1 diabetes got completely cured and started producing her own insulin after receiving a transplant of reprogrammed stem cells a year back. If successful in other patients, this could be a revolutionary breakthrough in medical science. So, how does news of stem cell transplant curing type 1 diabetes impact India, the diabetics capital of the world? Dr Richa Chaturvedi, senior consultant, endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, says: “News of stem cell transplants potentially curing type 1 diabetes could have significant impact in India, which has a large and growing diabetic population. While promising, these treatments are still experimental and not widely available. In India, where healthcare access and affordability are major challenges, such advanced therapies may initially only reach a small subset of patients at major urban medical centres. However, successful trials could accelerate research and investment in stem cell therapies within India’s robust pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. This could eventually lead to more affordable, locally-developed treatments.”
She adds that the news may also increase awareness and screening for type 1 diabetes, potentially improving early diagnosis and management. However, it is important to temper expectations, as widespread implementation would require overcoming significant logistical, economic, and regulatory hurdles in the Indian healthcare system.
Can this be a mass treatment, and in how many years?
Stem cell transplants for type 1 diabetes are unlikely to become a mass treatment in the immediate future,
especially in resource-limited settings like India. The procedure is complex, requiring specialised facilities and
expertise. It also carries risks and is currently most effective in newly-diagnosed patients. Realistically, it may take 10-20 years before such treatments could be widely implemented, even in developed countries. In India, the timeline could be longer due to infrastructure and cost barriers. However, if the treatment proves highly effective and durable, there may be economic incentives to scale up production and delivery, potentially accelerating adoption. Simplified protocols, improved cell manufacturing, and innovative delivery methods could eventually make the treatment more
accessible. Nonetheless, it will likely remain a specialised therapy for the foreseeable future, rather than a routine treatment option.
Can such personalised and interventional treatments be popular, especially in a poor country like India?
Implementing personalised, interventional treatments like stem cell transplants at a mass level in India faces significant challenges. The country’s healthcare system struggles with basic infrastructure and access issues, particularly in rural areas. Personalised therapies require sophisticated diagnostic capabilities, specialised facilities, and highly trained personnel, all of which are in short supply. Cost is a major barrier, as such treatments are typically expensive and not covered by public health programmes or most insurance plans. However, India has shown the ability to innovate and scale up complex medical treatments, as seen with its generic drug industry and vaccine production. Public-private partnerships, telemedicine, and hub-and-spoke models could potentially extend access. Successful implementation would require substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure, training programs, and regulatory frameworks. While challenging, gradually expanding access to such treatments could significantly improve outcomes for diabetic patients in India.
Right now, besides insulin, which is also very expensive, what other treatment options do T1 patients have?
Currently, insulin remains the primary treatment for type 1 diabetes. Insulin pumps offer more precise dosing than injections. For acute complications, glucagon is used to treat severe hypoglycemia. Regular screening and management of diabetes-related complications (eye, kidney, nerve, and cardiovascular) are also critical. Psychological support and diabetes education are important for long-term management.
