Axiom 4 and Shubhanshu Shukla lift off: How diabetes and cancer research on board ISS will impact treatment

Indian Express

4 days ago

AAs India's astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has blasted off into space on the Axiom-4 mission, he will be part of several medical experiments in space. These will not just be relevant to space travel but also to the future of therapy on Earth and precision medicine.
The first is related to people with insulin-dependent diabetes and whether they can travel to space. As of now, they are not selected to become astronauts. That is because the space environment, particularly micro-gravity conditions, makes it difficult to control and maintain blood sugar levels. But scientists around the world have been working for the last several years to make this possible.
Diabetes research
One of the astronauts will be wearing Continuous Glucose Meters (CGMs) throughout their stay in space, and their real-time blood sugar measurements will be monitored by the research team on Earth. They will also collect blood samples during their flight which can be tested later to validate the readings of the CGM. The mission will also carry two varieties of insulin pens: one refrigerated, the other in ambient air conditions. These will check whether their integrity remains intact in microgravity conditions.
'The research can be helpful for the management of diabetes on Earth as well,' Mohammad Fityan, the Dubai-based clinical lead for this research project called Suite Ride, said. 'Previous studies on the International Space Station (ISS) for example have shown that the effect of microgravity causes fluid shifts in the astronauts. This kind of situation is similar to long-term bed-ridden patients, whose movement is severely restricted or are in intensive care. The data that we are hoping to get from the Axiom-4 mission might be very helpful in improving the management of diabetes on Earth as well,' he added.
These include studies on muscle health, microbial life, and how astronauts interact with technology in microgravity. A key focus will be on diabetes-related research, specifically examining insulin and glucose behavior in space using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
Even after the astronauts return, the impact of their journey will continue. Data from CGMs, blood samples, and insulin tests will be analysed in ground-based labs.
Muscle health
Research will investigate muscle degeneration and identify countermeasures. It will also investigate the effects of space flights on joints and blood flow.
Algae as food
Studies on cyanobacteria and microalgae will explore their viability for use in life support systems and as a potential food source. Resilient organisms like tardigrades, will be studied for their survival and gene activity in space.
Cancer Research
Previous research has shown cancer stem cells can regenerate more easily and become more resistant to therapies in microgravity. The study will also look at how microgravity affects stem cell aging. Researchers will use tumour organoids, specifically from triple-negative breast cancer, to validate previous findings on early cancer warning signs and to test potential new drug targets. These studies will be conducted with the help of the Sanford Stem Cell Institute and the JM Foundation. Microgravity allows scientists to identify better drug candidates for faster-progressing cancers.
Impact on mental health
This experiment will investigate how the physical and cognitive impact of utilising computer screens in microgravity. The research will study how pointing tasks, gaze fixation and rapid eye movements are affected.
Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme.
Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports.
Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan.
She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times.
When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More