This unprecedentedstudysought to treat four paralyzed individuals using reprogrammed stem cells.
The Keio University trials used reprogrammed, or induced pluripotent (iPS) stem cells.
Patients in the study received an injection of 2 million iPS-turned-neural precursor cells into their injury site.
Photo: Daniel Soñé Photography, LLC viaWikimedia Commons(Public domain)
The first surgery occurred in December 2021, and the remaining three were performed between 2022 and 2023.
Recipients were prescribed immune-suppressing drugs for six months after their surgeries to prevent their bodies from rejecting the cells.
The trial results reported no serious adverse effects in the one-year checkup for the study participants.
Photo: animaxx3d/Depositphotos
This early success signals a potential breakthrough in spinal cord injury treatment, offering renewed hope.
Its very exciting for the field.
Photo: vitacop/Depositphotos
Photo: katerynakon/Depositphotos
Photo: p.thongdumhyu /Depositphotos