Iran achieves 75% success rate in stem cell treatment: Health official
Iran has achieved a 75% success rate in treating patients with stem cells, according to statistics from the country’s transplant center, CEO of Royan Stem Cell Technology Company, Morteza Zarrabi, announced.
Speaking at a press conference in Ardebil, Zarrabi said that the use of stem cells in medicine has been a topic of interest in recent years, but some non-experts had made false claims about its effectiveness in treating various diseases, IRNA reported.
He added that the use of stem cells in medicine was first introduced in the early 2000s, but faced ethical challenges due to concerns about human cloning.
Zarrabi explained that not all human cells are stem cells, and that stem cells have the ability to specialize and differentiate into various cell types.
He added that there are two types of stem cells in the human body: One type produces red blood cells, while the other type can help form tissues in other parts of the body.
The CEO noted that stem cells have been used to treat diseases such as leukemia, thalassemia, and immune system disorders, and that clinical trials are underway to use stem cells to treat conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, and arthritis.
Iran has two stem cell banks, one public and one private, which have stored over 215,000 samples of umbilical cord blood.
Iran has the largest stem cell bank in the Middle East, with over 215,000 samples stored.
Zarrabi said that the country aims to expand its stem cell banking services, with a goal of storing 400,000 samples in the near future.
The CEO also announced plans to establish a stem cell processing plant, which would allow for the extraction and processing of stem cells from umbilical cord blood and other sources.
He added that the plant would provide a significant boost to the country’s stem cell industry and help to reduce reliance on foreign sources of stem cells.
Zarrabi emphasized the importance of stem cell research and therapy, saying that it has the potential to treat over 80 diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and blood cancers.
He also highlighted the need for investment in the field, saying that it requires significant funding and resources.
The CEO concluded by saying that Iran is committed to expanding its stem cell services and research, and is working to establish partnerships with other countries in the region to promote the use of stem cells in medicine.