Novocell - A stem cell engineering company
Posted Apr 30th 2007 2:37PM by Allie Beatty
Filed under: Type 1, Childhood, Drugs, Research, Services, Support
Novocell is the first company to use polyethylene glycol (PEG) to encapsulate clusters of insulin-producing cells. This biocompatible substance allows glucose and insulin to pass freely through the coating while preventing the body's immune system from destroying the islets.
The encapsulated islets release human insulin through natural mechanisms in response to the recipient's blood glucose. The islet cells used in this study are isolated from human cadavers. The implant procedure is performed under local anesthesia and the encapsulated islets are injected into a surgically formed micropocket in the subcutaneous tissues of the thigh or lower abdomen of the recipient. The patients received temporary low dose cyclosporine (50-100 ng/ml 12hr trough) and did not receive any other form of immunosuppression.
At the American Diabetes Association 66th Annual Scientific Session in June -- Novocell announced the progress of the study. No adverse events had occurred -- no news is good news. In addition, the company also has the fortune of existing in California - where they can prosper on further stem cell research. Novocell has developed a process that efficiently converts human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells. Novocell believes this study will demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the encapsulation technology that can be used with the unlimited source of insulin-producing cells developed from stem cells to treat patients with diabetes.
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1. Something tells me this won't be available to the "general public" anytime soon, which is bad.
This already sounds awesome. I figure that by the time this makes it into mainstream medicine, it will be even more refined, which is good.
It will probably cost a bundle, which is again bad, but it will remove your need for artificial insuin and reduce the risk of complications(C-Peptide), which is priceless.
We'll just have to wait it out.
Posted at 10:29AM on May 1st 2007 by HDraogmir