A Phase I clinical trial conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has confirmed the long-term safety and feasibility of neural stem cell transplantation for chronic spinal cord injuries. These injuries, which often cause partial or complete paralysis, currently have no cure. Over a five-year period, the study observed four patients with chronic spinal cord injuries, two of whom showed sustained neurological improvement following neural stem cell implantation. Improvements included increased motor and sensory scores, enhanced electromyography (EMG) activity, and, in some cases, better pain management.
Neural stem cell transplantation, an emerging treatment for neurological disorders and injuries, involves implanting human-derived stem cells into damaged areas of the nervous system. This innovative approach leverages the regenerative potential of these cells to repair damaged tissue and integrate effectively with the existing nervous system.
All participants in the trial tolerated the treatment well. While the primary goal was to assess safety and tolerability, the findings indicate potential therapeutic benefits for chronic spinal cord injuries. Encouraged by these outcomes, the researchers aim to launch a Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the treatment’s efficacy.
The study, published in the December 17 edition of Cell Reports Medicine, was led by Dr. Joseph Ciacci, a professor in the Department of Neurological Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, and Dr. Joel Martin, a former neurological surgery resident at UC San Diego and now a neurosurgeon at Orlando Health. The research received support from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) UC San Diego Alpha Stem Cell Clinic and the Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center within the Sanford Stem Cell Institute.
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