EVMS studies stem cell diabetes therapy

NORFOLK, Va. - College student Sarah Piscitelli had her studies down to a science, but when doctors diagnosed the 23-year-old with type one diabetes things changed. "I would be presenting a paper and all of a sudden forget my words because I was having low blood glucose levels," she told WAVY.com.

Hooked up to an IV drip, Piscitelli said she hopes what's in the bag will help her get back to normal.  It's a therapy containing adult stem cells (or a placebo, since this is a double blind study).

The bone marrow stem cells are taken right from the blood of healthy donors, then infused into the patient.
Researchers are studying how the stem cells will effect beta cells. Beta cells are the ones that release insulin when your body needs it and are killed in patients with Type 1 Diabetes.

"The idea of giving these stem cells is that they hone in on the beta cells and stop the killing that allows them A) to recover and B) to preserve what they have," said Dr. Aaron Vinik, who is leading the study at Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Dr. Vinik says the catch is you have to start the treatment soon after diagnosis, before all the beta cells are gone.

Sarah began the study less than 16 weeks after her diagnosis. "She'll get about 100-million cells at a time, no one really knows how many we have to give," he said.

Sarah says so far the only downside is a strange odor and taste of garlic.

Dr. Vinik says that's from the solution used to keep the stem cells separated and it won't hurt her.
Whether the therapy will help they still won't know for two more years but they are hopeful.

To be eligible for the study you must be diagnosed within the last 16 weeks with type one diabetes and be between the ages of 18 and 30.

You may contact Pat Barlow, RN  at 757-446-7258 or email her at  barlowpm@evms.edu