Zimislecel Therapy Latest News
A small clinical trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, tested a therapy called zimislecel which can help in restoring insulin in people with type 1 diabetes.
About Zimislecel Therapy
- It is a new allogeneic stem cell-derived islet cell therapy in which islet cells are infused into the liver.
- The pancreas contains clusters of cells that produce hormones. These clusters are known as islets.
- Scientists made zimislecel by growing islets from pluripotent stem cells in the lab.
- These are matured into functioning islets and infused into the hepatic portal vein.
- The hope is that these cells will take root, survive, and begin producing insulin from within the body.
- Zimislecel has the potential to restore the body’s ability to regulate glucose levels by restoring pancreatic islet cell function, including glucose-responsive insulin production
- These lab-grown cells began producing insulin again, improving blood sugar control, preventing dangerous lows, and, in most cases, eliminating the need for insulin.
What is Type 1 Diabetes?
- It is a condition in which your immune system destroys insulin-making cells in your pancreas. These are called beta cells.
- When you have type 1 diabetes, your body produces very little or no insulin.
- It requires daily administration of insulin to maintain blood glucose levels under control.
- It is usually diagnosed in children and young people, so it used to be called juvenile diabetes.
- Symptoms include excessive excretion of urine (polyuria), thirst (polydipsia), constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes, and fatigue.
Source: TH
Zimislecel Therapy FAQs
Q1: Which two organs are connected by the hepatic portal vein?
Ans: The hepatic portal system is the venous system that returns blood from the digestive tract and spleen to the liver (where raw nutrients in blood are processed before the blood returns to the heart).
Q2: What is the main function of the stem cells?
Ans: Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body.