Ex Vivo Immunotherapy for Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Ex Vivo Immunotherapy for Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a long-term metabolic disorder that is primarily characterized by
 insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. Our hypotheses is that
 liver would be the primary organ responsible for the metabolic disorder because of some
 unknown defects, where sugar would not be efficiently converted to glycogen and fat, leading
 to hyperglycemia. The constant hyperglycemia would keep pressure on beta-cells in the
 pancreas to eventually exhaust their ability to produce and secret sufficient amount of
 insulin, exacerbating the disease. The Immunotherapy would enhance the liver functions and
 correct the abnormal sugar metabolism. In addition, the ex vivo activated cells produce and
 secret growth factors which would help endothelial cells of blood vessels to reproduce and
 grow, resulting in reduced arteriosclerosis.
We plan to recruit 20 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who suffer hyperglycemia with or
 without medication. The patients will come to our hospitals for the treatment. A small amount
 of peripheral blood will be drawn and processed and cultured in our laboratory. The cultured
 cells (autologous) will be infused intravenously back to patients. Levels of plasma
 hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and other metabolic parameters before and after the therapy will be
 compared. The therapy is planned to take four weeks for each patient.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  1. Patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

 -  2. 25 years of age or older. Both sexes.

 -  3. HbA1c ≧6.5% for more than 6 months with or without medication.

 -  4. Capability of providing informed consent.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  1. History of malignancy.

 -  2. Patients with active infections.

 -  3. Seropositivity for HIV infection.

 -  4. History of myocardial infarction or unstable angina in the previous 3 months.

 -  5. Pregnancy or nursing.