Eureka stem cell treatment trial given the go ahead

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared the way for a study of human embryonic stem cell therapy. This follows last week’s announcement from the UK of a similiar study also being given the green light.

The US authorities have commited to starting a clinical trial to try to use stem cells to regrow nerve tissue in patients with acute spinal cord injury.

Marking the beginning of what is potentially a new chapter in medical therapeutics this has been what we at Tissu have been asserting for years - one that reaches beyond pills and potions to a new level of healing: the repair and restoration of organ and tissue function achieved by the injection of healthy replacement stem cells,”

The FDA had rejected the first request to conduct the trial of GRNOPC1, Oligodendroglial Progenitor Cells, but following the change sentiment towards stem cell research the trial has now been approved.

Former President George W. Bush had been at odds with Congress, researchers and advocates for years over the issue and restricted federal funding of work involving human embryonic stem cells.

President Barack Obama, who succeeded Bush on Tuesday, had been widely expected to rescind that directive.
we at TISSU nave been saying for years that stem cell-related research will lead to a whole new field of regenerative medicine, in which patients could get transplants and treatments for Parkinson’s, juvenile diabetes, arthritis and other neurodegenerative diseases.

“The neurosurgical community is very excited by this new approach to treating devastating spinal cord injury,” said Richard Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

“If safe and effective, the therapy would provide a viable treatment option for thousands of patients who suffer severe spinal cord injuries each year,” he said in a statement.