Doctor observing lumbar vertebrae x-ray. utah778/iStock
Paralysis is one of the most devastating medical conditions, stripping individuals of mobility and independence in an instant.
Spinal cord injuries, in particular, pose significant challenges because the spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the body.
Once damaged, it has limited ability to heal, leaving millions of people worldwide with permanent paralysis.
However, a groundbreaking clinical trial in Japan has provided a glimmer of hope, showing that stem cell therapy may offer a path toward recovery for some patients.
Stem cell transplant brings hope to paralyzed individuals
A research team led by Professor Hideyuki Okano at Keio University has announced a major breakthrough in spinal cord injury treatment.
Four patients who had suffered severe spinal cord injuries received transplants of neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
One of the patients, a man previously classified as completely paralyzed, can now stand unaided and has begun walking exercises.
Another patient regained movement in his arms and legs, while two others showed no substantial improvement.
The patients, all adult males, received the treatment within 14 to 28 days after their injury, during what is known as the subacute phase.
Each individual was injected with two million neural stem cells at the injury site in an effort to regenerate lost nerve connections.
The results, while mixed, mark a significant step forward in the search for effective spinal cord injury treatments.
Promising early results
The trial, which began in December 2021, involved rigorous follow-ups over the course of a year.
One patient improved from an ‘A’ rating on the spinal cord injury scale, meaning total paralysis, to a ‘D,’ allowing him to walk with or without assistance.
Another moved from an ‘A’ to a ‘C,’ meaning he could not stand on his own but had regained enough control to eat independently and use a wheelchair.
Despite these promising outcomes, two of the four patients showed no noticeable recovery.
However, no serious side effects were observed, providing reassurance about the safety of the treatment.
“These results are a great positive outcome. It’s very exciting for the field,” said James St John, a neuroscientist at Griffith University in Australia.
However, he also cautioned that further research is needed to determine whether the improvements were due to the stem cells or natural recovery.
The future of spinal cord treatment
The Keio University team now plans to expand their research, focusing on increasing the number of neural stem cells transplanted and testing the treatment on patients in the chronic phase of spinal cord injury.
This phase occurs months or years after an injury, when nerve regeneration is typically even more difficult.
“We were able to achieve results in the world’s first spinal cord injury treatment using iPS cells,” said Okano.
“There were difficult days when research using iPS cells did not produce results, but this research has produced results worthy of confirming safety and estimating efficacy.”
While more extensive clinical trials are needed to determine the full potential of stem cell therapy, this study marks an important step toward finding a viable treatment for paralysis.
With over 15 million people worldwide living with spinal cord injuries, the possibility of regaining lost movement offers newfound hope for those affected.
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The groundbreaking report is published in the journal Nature.
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ABOUT THE EDITOR
Aamir Khollam Aamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.
