Stem cell treatment boosts motor function in spinal injury patients

Japanese scientists from Keio University have reported promising results from the first clinical study using stem cell treatment for spinal cord injuries, where two out of four patients showed improved motor function. The study involved the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), which were implanted into the spinal cord of the patients. No serious adverse events were recorded after a year of monitoring, and one patient, an elderly man, has begun to stand without support and practice walking. The primary aim of the research was to assess the safety of the cell injections, with hopes to advance to further clinical trials. This development is particularly significant as there is currently no effective treatment for paralysis from spinal cord injuries impacting over 150,000 individuals in Japan. The research team received government approval in 2019 and conducted their first operation in 2022.