ICMR asks stakeholders to share evidence on stem cell efficiency

NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched an appeal to doctors across the country for that they share scientific evidence on the clinical effectiveness of stem cells in any disease or disorder in their specialty. This call follows several patient complaints regarding the misuse of stem cell therapy.

The Higher Research Organization has also asked professional badociations to submit a position statement on stem cell therapy in their area of ​​specialty in order to badist the public and professionals. "Stem cell research is a very active area of ​​research around the world. The current goal of the research is to understand the biology of stem cells and their potential clinical applications in various human diseases. However, as a proven therapy, stem cells are currently considered a therapeutic option only in certain hematolymphatic and immunological pathologies, as indicated in the National Guidelines for Stem Cell Research (NGSCR-2017) ", stated the ICMR in its opinion.

Patients and, to a certain extent, the medical community in many countries, including India, are not clearly aware of the indications of the disease when stem cell therapy is experimental and not a therapeutic option based on evidence, observed the observed research organization. The problem is complicated with the increasing use of stem cells as a treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, often with little or no scientific evidence of effectiveness and with dubious promotional means or misleading advertisements. says the statement.

The ICMR stated that other government organizations and itself had received several operating complaints from patients and public organizations describing how they had been attracted to non-clinical therapies. stem cells and what measures were being taken by regulatory agencies and professional bodies.

The government commissioned the CIMR to develop guidelines on stem cell therapy. Guidelines for hematopoietic (blood) stem cell transplantation are being drafted by the ICMR.