MEDIA RELEASE PR37645
Single Dose of Proprietary Adult Stem Cells Regenerates Damaged Pancreas and Reduces Blood
Glucose Levels in Diabetes
MELBOURNE, Dec. 18 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
Treatment for Diabetic Patients a Major New Objective
Key points:
*Single injection of proprietary adult stem cells resulted in increased blood insulin levels and sustained
reduction in blood glucose levels
*Stem cell treatment induced two-fold increase in total numbers of pancreatic islets, and increase in insulin-
producing beta cells
*Results indicate pancreas may successfully be regenerated by proprietary adult stem cells
*Estimated 230 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes; massive commercial opportunity
*Plans to commence clinical trial program
Australia's regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited (ASX: MSB), today announced significant
preclinical trial results showing that the proprietary adult stem cell platform could be an effective treatment for
diabetes.
In the study, led by Dr. Ravi Krishnan, Senior Scientist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide, South
Australia, in collaboration with Mesoblast's United States-based associate company Angioblast Systems Inc.,
a single dose of the patented human Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPCs) injected into mice with diabetes
resulted in a significant increase in blood insulin levels and sustained reduction in blood glucose levels for the
entire three week period of follow-up. This was due to restoration in the damaged pancreas of the balance
between insulin-producing beta cells, which reduce blood glucose, and glucagon-producing alpha cells, which
increase blood glucose.
Leading international diabetes expert Professor Michael Horowitz, Director of the Endocrine and Metabolic
Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, who has reviewed the results said: "These data are very exciting, and
clearly demonstrate the potential of using these unique adult stem cells in the treatment of patients with Type
2 diabetes".
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 per cent of the 230 million diabetics in the western world, and its
prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Complications include heart disease, chronic kidney failure,
blindness, nerve damage and lower extremity amputations. Injections of insulin are used only as a last resort
in Type 2 diabetics because of the risk of lowering glucose levels too greatly and too rapidly (hypoglycemia).
Newer treatment modalities for Type 2 diabetes aim to enhance the ability of pancreatic beta cells to produce
more insulin in an effort to better control blood glucose.
In the collaborative study, diabetes was induced by partial chemical destruction of the pancreas in 35 mice
that were then randomised to receive either a single injection into the bloodstream of human MPCs or control.
Three weeks later, MPC-treated diabetics had two-fold greater numbers of pancreatic islets than diabetic
controls (p=0.0012), and a ratio of insulin-producing beta cells to glucagon-producing alpha cells which was
29% higher than in diabetic controls (p=0.005). MPC-treated diabetics demonstrated a 35% maximal
reduction in blood glucose levels (p=0.012) and a 34% increase in blood insulin levels (p=0.04) compared with
diabetic controls over the three weeks of follow-up. No subjects had reduction in glucose levels below normal,
indicating that MPCs may have a safer profile than insulin injections with respect to risk of hypoglycemia.
"These results suggest that the MPCs enhanced endogenous pancreatic beta cell regeneration, resulting in
safe and sustained augmentation of insulin secretion and reduction in blood glucose levels," Professor
Horowitz added.
Mesoblast Executive Director, Professor Silviu Itescu, said: "The Company will move quickly towards the
clinic to target what is termed the western world's largest healthcare epidemic.
"We believe there is clear proof of principle to use our patented cells for diabetes and we will work towards
translating these results to humans as quickly as possible," he added.
About Mesoblast
Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB; USOTC:MBLTY) is committed to the development of novel treatments for
orthopaedic conditions, including the rapid commercialisation of a unique adult stem cell technology aimed at
the regeneration and repair of bone and cartilage. Our focus is to progress through clinical trials and
international regulatory processes necessary to commercialise the technology in as short a timeframe as
possible. Mesoblast has the worldwide exclusive rights for a series of patents and technologies developed
over more than 10 years relating to the identification, extraction and culture of adult Mesenchymal Precursor
Cells (MPCs). The Company has acquired 38.4% of Angioblast Systems Inc., an American company
developing the platform MPC technology for the treatment of cardiac, vascular and eye diseases including
repair and regeneration of blood vessels and heart muscle. Mesoblast and Angioblast are jointly funding and
progressing the core technology. Mesoblast's strategy is to maximise shareholder value through both
corporate partnerships and the rapid and successful completion of clinical milestones.
For further information, please contact:
Julie Meldrum
Corporate Communications Director
Mesoblast Limited
T: + 61 (03) 9639 6036
M: +61 (0) 419 228 128
E: julie.meldrum@mesoblast.com
SOURCE: Mesoblast
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