Diabetes: Cell therapy may reduce kidney damage

Researchers have reported positive results from a unique cell treatment experiment for adults with diabetes. In spite of receiving robust medical care, adults with type 2 diabetes are still developing kidney damage, and the NEPHSTROM clinical study is beginning to examine the possibilities of a new cell therapy to treat them. Results from the NEPHSTROM clinical trial were presented in November at the American Society of Nephrology's Kidney Week meeting in Orlando, Florida. It showed that a single dose of ORBCEL-M, given intravenously to carefully selected adults with worsening kidney disease due to diabetes was safe and associated with better preservation of kidney function compared to a placebo. Patients taking part in the trial were followed closely for 18 months after receiving ORBCEL-M.