AIIMS pioneers stem cell injection for reviving heart muscles

By Angsuman Chakraborty, Gaea News Network
Thursday, February 24, 2005

It can now be announced that AIIMS has marked a global first in pioneering stem cell medicine by the “injection method”, placing the institute right at the top of the world’s medicine map.

This is very exciting news for diabetics and heart transplant patients.

As part of a path breaking study. conducted from February 2003 to January 2005, 35 cardiac patients have been given stem cell treatment and have been monitored at 6, 12 and 18 month intervals.

After six months, 56% of the affected (read dead muscles) area injected with these cells had shown improvement. After eighteen months, this went up to 64%.

With this the long queue of people awaiting a heart transplant can be cut down drastically.

Dr. Venugopal, the man behind this offers a interesting viewpoint:
“Sometimes when I have thought I would see an empty bed, I have seen a patient walk away from the institute on his own. This is important for me.”

Source: The Times of India, Kolkata Edition, Friday, February 25, 2005

Update:
I have received several queries about AIIMS, cost of treatment etc.
BTW: I am not affiliated with AIIMS in any capacity.
However I took the effort to collect the relevant information for you.
Let me know if you find it useful.

Please refer to the links below for further details on AIIMS.

  1. AIIMS Indoor Services and Costs
  2. AIIMS location, contact information and other general information
  3. AIIMS Out-Patient services and Costs
Discussion
October 31, 2005: 9:58 am

[...] The key word is “may”. Experiments so far have indicated positive results in stem cell therapy around the world. [...]


Goverdhan Shetty
July 2, 2005: 12:26 pm

Dear Sir,

Thankyou for your response. As per your advise will get in touch with AIIMS and let you know . All the relevant tests were conducted at a couple of reputed hospitals in Bombay but the causes still remain unknown. However there does seem to be definite reprieve ( swelling ) on intake of Aurvedic medicines, though it’s very early to comment. Will let you know on the impact of Aurvedic medicine so that other Liver Cirrhotic Patients can avail the benefits.

Regards
G Shetty

July 1, 2005: 10:18 am

Everyone,

I have finally launched The Stem Cell Blog where we will cover exclusively Stem Cell research and news worldwide. I will be adding several articles over the weekend.

Looking forward for your feedback. We will also cover topics which people asked here like liver cirrhosis, muscular dystrophy treatment etc.

Let us all hope for a brighter future with stem cell therapy.

Best,
Angsuman

July 1, 2005: 10:14 am

Dear Goverdhan,

I am very sad to hear about his condition. Could this be related to Hepatitis C infection? I would suggest that you get a second opinion from another reputed Hospital.

Technically yes. Stem cell can replace liver cells. I suggest you contact AIIMS at the address given in my post and explain them your situation.

I will be posting an article or two about it this weekend on The Stem Cell Blog.


Goverdhan Shetty
July 1, 2005: 8:58 am

Dear Sir,

One of my close relative is suffering from Liver Cirrhosis for the past several years. His Kidney and LFT test is good and so is his CBC count, but doctors are surprised on his cirrhotic condition and unable to ascertain the exact cause.

Please let me know if stem cell therapy could be the option

Awaiting your reply.

Regards
G Shetty

July 1, 2005: 8:31 am

[...] Related: AIIMS pioneers stem cell injection for reviving heart muscles [...]

July 1, 2005: 8:28 am

[...] With American President Bush’s strong opposition to Stem Cell Research and significant advances made in Stem Cell research in other countries, ahead of USA, the day may not be far off when USA has to even outsource treatment of critical diseases like diabetes and AIDS to other countries. [...]

June 28, 2005: 7:56 am

@cecily
> Have you spoken
No, not yet.

> You said you are putting together another site

I am working really hard on it. Give me another day or two please :)


cecily mathew
June 26, 2005: 8:48 pm

Hi
have you spoken to any of the 35 patients that has gone in for the stem cell treatment , their experience would help me a lot.
I just had a family freind who lives in delhi consult a doctor in the cardiac dept of Aiims
they said that the stem cell treatment is only in its clinical trial stages .Do we have any further news other than the initial 35 patients.
You said you are putting together another site
pls let me know how to access it.I have written to you earlier also ,I want to know as much as possible so that I can treat my husband in the best way possible

June 24, 2005: 4:37 am

Hi Giriraj and others,

Please wait for a day or two. I am trying to put up a site on stem cell related topics only. So you can remain updated on the latest news and options in stem cell treatment. I hope to be able to accomplish it by this weekend.
Wish you all the best and a happy weekend.
Regards,
Angsuman

June 23, 2005: 2:37 pm

Hi
We two brothers are suffering from LGMD since from last 15 years
and our ages are 40 and 45 . The time from when the disease have been
diaganosed to us, we are trying for every possible treatment and Pathies,
but very sad to say that results come to be nil. The condition from one of us
has been reached upto Wheelchair and now we are hopless and tired. We
are totally discouraged and there.s no way of hope in our eyes. Time, Money
as well as health is going on slipping continously from our hands and also
feeling hepless from every where. Always we are hearing that the researches
are going on, Scientists are trying and so and so but upto when ? This
disease is demoralising our lives.
But recently on 25th feb 05 we read a news about Stem Cell research
at AIIMS in Times of India and honestly telling, we were too much glad while
reading the news. There seen a ray in our darkened life. We also give a
hearty congrates to AIIMS. Now we can think about best future and
disease free life becouse of hard work that the scientists have done for us.
We are heartly thankful to you.
Sir, please give information that how we can make use of this treatment or
how we can utilize this treatment for us.? What we have to do for the same?
and how we can get our healthy lives bacK.?
Thanks you !

June 19, 2005: 10:01 pm

@Gayatri
I am creating a new website today (been working on it) which will focus on stem cell research. I realized there is a significant interest in Muscular Dystropy and I will cover MD research too. I will post the link later today.

@Jim
Please contact AIIMS directly. I haven’t heard anything further yet.


jim
June 19, 2005: 3:12 pm

did aiims get a result with musculat dystrophy therapy


gayatri
June 16, 2005: 1:41 am

dear angsuman ,
gayatri is my younger sister ,she is 26 yrs old and she is suffering from duchenne md.she started showing symptoms when she was 6 yrs . now she is completely bed ridden and cannot do anything by herself . we are all desperately looking for the cure for the disease . i was thrilled to hear that research is happening in
india itself .
pls give me details of what is the present status of the research and when can the result be expected.
with high hopes yrs lovingly
brijesh.

June 6, 2005: 7:16 am

@Manisha and others
I have updated the article to answer some of the common questions about AIIMS including location, costs, general information etc.

I am unable to help you wrt. finding an accomodation in New Delhi because I have never gone to New Delhi, nor do I have active contacts in New Delhi.

For the rest of your questions you have to contact them directly.

BTW: I am not affiliated with AIIMS in any capacity.

Wish you and your son best of luck.

Best,
Angsuman


Manisha
June 6, 2005: 2:17 am

HI,
IF THERE IS NO PROBLEM I’LL VISIT AIIMS NOVEMBER THIS YEAR ALONG WITH MY SON. WILL YOU TELL ME THE ACTUAL LOCATION OF AIIMS? IS THERE ANY GUEST HOUSE OR CHEAP ACCOMODATION FACILITY NEAR AIIMS? IS IT NECESSARY TO FAX ALL THE REPORTS BEFORE CARRYING MY SON TO AIIMS & HOW LONG I HAVE TO STAY THERE FOR TREATMENT?FOR YOUR KIND INFORMATION I HAVE TO MENTION THAT I AM AN EMPLOYEE OF A PVT. ORGANISATION.

June 4, 2005: 4:56 am

@PRITHA

Not that I know of, at least not yet.

Wish you and your Father best of luck!


PRITHA
June 4, 2005: 1:42 am

HI,

MY FATHER IS DIABETIC PATIENT SINCE 2004, HE WAS ADMITTED WITH A HYPOGLYCAEMIC ATTACK ON 21ST FEB ‘05. FINAL DIAGNOSIS WAS : DISBETES MELLITUS, LIVER ABSCESS, SEPSIS, HEPATIC FAILURE WITH ENCEPHALOPATHY. COLONOSCOPY REVEALED BLEEDING INTERNAL HAEMORRHOIDS, LARGE COLONIC ULCER. UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY REVEALED GR 2 OESOPHAGEAL VARICES, PORTAL CONGESTIVE GASTROPHTHY, SCLEROTHERAPY WAS DONE. WHETHER THERE IS ANY TREATMENT BY STEM CELL RESEARCH ?

June 3, 2005: 6:34 am

@Alok
I am not aware of any current cure. https://www.mdausa.org/publications/fa-lgmd-search.html
provides a broad update on this.

@Manisha
Being a government hospital, it shouldn’t cost much.

Unfortunately I don’t have any personal contact at AIIMS to help you in this regard.

As you know, having political contacts with ruling party officials may give you some leverage in New Delhi.


Manisha
June 3, 2005: 5:04 am

HI,
I CAN’T CONTACT HIM DIRECTLY.I CONTACT WITH OTHER DOCTORS BUT AFTER REPEATED REQUEST I CAN’T CONTACT DR VENUGOPAL DIRECTLY. THEY TOLD ME TO GO THERE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. BUT I WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH COSTING IS NEEDED FOR THIS TREATMENT.WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME IN THIS REGARD?


ALOK NARAD
June 2, 2005: 10:14 am

Dear sir
Iam suffering from limb gurdall mascular distorphy since last five year.CPK value in my blood is high is their any treatment for this.

June 1, 2005: 8:39 pm

Let me know how it goes.

I think you should try to call him over phone and try to talk to him directly or to anyone in his department. They should be able to guide you about the exact procedure.

June 1, 2005: 5:02 am

Hi
I read your article on stem cell and sent a fax to Dr venu gopal for a appointment. My husband has had a heart attack at 35 ,a byepass at 38 ,At the age of 44 a heart failure and had to undergo
complicated angioplasty with 4 stents
He is presently 47yrs, his heart ejection factor
is 28% when last checked .His heart muscles are really week and is also diabetic w insulin 3 times
I live in mumbai and REcd a response vide fax asking to meet any working day on monday/wednesdays /fridays . Do you know if I have to further take appointments or go to hospital and try each day.I really dont know how Aiims works.I want my Husband go in for sten cell treatment as there is no more options
Thank you for sharing these details of stem research

May 31, 2005: 10:02 pm

@Manisha
Have you contacted Dr. Venugopal yet?


Manisha
May 31, 2005: 7:42 am

REGARDING YOUR QUERY ABOUT MY ONLY SON (ATTACKED WITH CEREBRAL PALSY),I AM TRYING TO GIVE A SHORT HISTORY OF HIS CASE STUDY.HIS OPERATION DT IS 30/4/’98.AFTER THIS HE HAS NO CONVULSION TILL’01 (NOV).AFTER THAT HIS CONVULSION AGAIN STARTED.WE TOOK HIM TO NARAYANAN HRUDAYALAYA(DR SHETTY’S HOSPITAL AT BANGALORE).HE SAID THAT BEFORE OPERATION DUE TO LACK OF OXYGENATION IN HIS BRAIN SOME OF THE CELLS BECAME DAMAGED WHICH MAY CAUSE CONVULSION ANYTIME.AFTER ‘02 HE HAD NO CONVULSION

May 29, 2005: 12:03 pm

@Anil Check out this article.

May 28, 2005: 11:31 pm

Sir
my mother is suffering from ALS for last one year. We have read about stem cell in news paper.
Is there any cure from stem cell
for this diseases.

May 26, 2005: 5:12 am

> I would like to know can he be treated with stem cells

I believe so. Stem Cells can potentially be used to treat spinal cord injuries. Check this article:
ProCord Trial for Complete Spinal Cord Injury Now Live at Shepherd Center in Atlanta

However I do not know if AIIMS has been experimenting with this.

Please check AIIMS website - https://www.aiims.edu/
AIIMS contact numbers given are:
TEL : 91-11-26588500, 91-11-26588700, 91-11-26589900
Fax : 91-11-26588663, 91-11-26588641

May 25, 2005: 11:13 pm

hi my husband is a Dr in the indian army,last year in sept he met with an accident due to which he sufered a spinal cord injury with multiple chest and abdominal injuries…but his spinal cord is intact only swollen at a point..but he has lost sensations below the waist..in short he is paraplegic.
I would like to know can he be treated with stem cells and is this treatment available in AIIMS..whom should we contact.He is 26yrs old.

May 25, 2005: 5:28 am

@pria
I am just curious. Was he vaccinated?

Unfortunately I am not aware of any “cure” for someone who has already been affected 14 years earlier.

As for AIIMS, I think you should contact them directly.

Wish you best of luck!

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