Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries

VISHNU AMBAREESH

japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka

British scientist John B. Gurdon

Spinal cord injury became the first condition targeted in a human clinical trial using cells made from embryonic stem cells

begun by Geron in 2010

later cancelled for financial reasons.

Doug Brutlag 2011

Geron Stem Cell Therapy

Tom Okarma - Geron

Doug Brutlag 2011

GRNOPC1 Improves Locomotor Behavior

after Spinal Cord Injury

Tom Okarma - Geron

GRNOPC1 – contains oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Which turn into oligodendrocytes,

If GRNOPC1 works, the progenitor cells will produce new oligodendrocytes in the injured area of the patient's spine, potentially allowing for new movement.

Treatment of chronic spinal cord injured patients with autologous bone marrow-

derived hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

• Cairo University conducted human trial of hematopoietic progenitor stem cells in SCI Patients

• Results: Improved functions

• Not FDA approved

• MRI showed no tumors

• Awaiting 1 year follow up

Doug Brutlag 2011

Human Embryonic Stem Cell (hESC)

Based Therapy

Tom Okarma - Geron

Doug Brutlag 2011

GRNOP1 Phase 1 Multi-Center

Spinal Cord Injury Trial

Tom Okarma - Geron

• injected into the patients' spines 1-2weeks after injury between their third and 10th thoracic vertebrae, or roughly the middle to upper back. Later trials would include patients with less severe spinal injuries and damage to other parts of the spine.

In lab animals, the results were dramatic -paralyzed rodents moved again.

Science is discovering the unknown

• Stem cell field is still in its infancy

• Human embryonic stem cell research is a decade old, adult stem cell research has 30-year head start

• Holds hope for curing or improving treatments for

70+ diseases

SHOULD WE DO IT???

Traditional Chinese herbal medicines

an ancient medicinal practice, called Ji-Sui-Kang (JSK), can improve locomotor function in rats withspinal cord injuries.

“Stay clear of stem cell treatment for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI),” Professor Alan Mackay-Sim

AJIT JOGI