[Edaily Reporter Park Cheol-geun] With the number of diabetic patients rapidly increasing, efforts are being made to develop medical technologies to treat diabetic complications. Injuries, particularly those at the toes, the farthest point from the heart, are often neglected. This neglect poses a particularly dangerous risk for patients with diabetic critical limb ischemia.
Diabetic critical limb ischemia is primarily caused by vascular problems, which hinder wound healing, enlarge wounds, and make recovery difficult. In some cases, this can lead to amputation or the use of prosthetics. For those without health insurance, the high cost of treatment can be a significant concern.
Consequently, the government is conducting clinical trials with subsidized funds to reduce the burden on patients while maximizing the effectiveness of advanced cell therapy. The cost of the procedure is approximately 5.5 million won, with government funding of 1 million won for the general public and 1.56 million won for the lower-income bracket.
A representative from stem cell specialist Miracell explained, “Advanced cell stem cells (SmartPrep) possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, allowing them to differentiate into any tissue in the body, including the lungs, liver, kidneys, and skin.” They added, “They are effective in treating vascular diseases by reducing inflammation, regenerating damaged tissue and blood vessels, and improving blood circulation.”
Notably, Harvard Medical School in the United States published a paper on the treatment of diabetic critical limb ischemia patients by injecting them into the muscles surrounding the leg arteries using a total advanced cell system containing stem cells extracted through an advanced cell system, CD34+ cells that treat vascular nephrocytes, and growth factors. This has provided hope to patients suffering from this condition worldwide. A company representative explained, “We are treating 100 diabetic critical limb ischemia patients at a limited number of hospitals, including Professor Park Soon-chul of the Department of Vascular and Transplant Surgery at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Professor Lee Dong-yeon of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, and Professor Park Eun-soo of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital.”
Meanwhile, patients with diabetic critical limb ischemia who wish to participate in this trial can submit a simple application to Miracell headquarters by filling out their name and contact information.
Original article link: https://www.edaily.co.kr/news/read?newsId=02591206625798112&mediaCodeNo=257