Posted by Steve Santen on May 03, 1998 at 14:27:54:
In Reply to: Desmos, Inc. posted by Al Gordon on May 01, 1998 at 21:47:25:
Al:
I think that the work of cell proliferation is very important. Consider the world where there is no cheap available supply through proliferation.
If xenotransplants are the answer, then million of SPF pigs will need to be raised. This is a very expensive and time-consuming process. After the xenotransplant the follow up that is about to be mandated by the FDA for PERV testing is going to be very expensive. Some have estimated that the cost of follow-up care for xenotransplants will exceed $100,000 US per patient. This will include forming a registry and lifetime testing. While I do think that xenotransplants will work, I think that Government required testing and the cost of raising SPF pigs do not bode well for advancing the technology.
This brings us to Desmos and companies like Desmos. If Desmos can proliferate cells then the need for lifetime testing is eliminated. Million of pigs and special farms will not need to be established. The cost of the procedure will drop drastically both in initial cost and follow up costs. Of course this is a big if. Desmos has made claims of porcine proliferation but has not demonstrated the proliferated cells function in a single pre-clinical animal study. Others have written negative about the ability of lamanin-5 to produce functioning islets.
Of course there are others following the proliferation route. The two that come to mind are Ixion and Ontogeny. If any one of these three companies can demonstrate success, then the route to success for islet transplants will be shortened significantly. Even if the cells are ultimately attacked and destroyed by the immune system, a cheap source of cells will provide new transplant material faster than the cells can be destroyed.
In summary, I would say that this is not a make or break technology for islet encapsulated transplants. It is important and needs to be followed closely. It has the ability to simplify and put the technology within reach of all in need.
Steve