A spinal cord injury can change a life in an instant. For many years, treatment options focused on rehabilitation, pain management, and maximizing remaining function.
Today, regenerative medicine offers new possibilities.
Recent results from a CIRM-supported clinical trial by Asterias Biotherapeutics suggest that a stem cell-based therapy may help patients regain some lost function after severe spinal cord injury.
Encouraging Results for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Asterias is testing a therapy known as AST-OPC1 in people who experienced spinal cord injuries that caused paralysis from the neck down.
AST-OPC1 consists of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These cells can develop into support cells that protect and nourish nerve cells in the central nervous system.
Researchers hope the therapy can help repair damaged tissue and restore connections at the injury site. If successful, patients may regain some movement and sensation.
The latest findings suggest the treatment is moving in that direction.
Signs of Recovery After Cell Therapy
According to Asterias, all 25 patients enrolled in the trial tolerated the treatment without serious side effects.
Researchers also used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor the injury site. More than 95 percent of patients showed evidence of tissue matrix formation.
This finding is important because it suggests the transplanted cells successfully engrafted in the injured spinal cord.
The tissue matrix may also help prevent cavitation, a damaging process that often follows spinal cord injury. Cavitation can lead to permanent loss of movement, sensory function, and chronic pain.
Six months after treatment, researchers reported several encouraging outcomes:
- All patients in Group 5, who received 20 million cells, regained at least one motor level on one side of the body.
- Two patients in Group 5 regained one motor level on both sides.
- Four patients recovered two or more motor levels on at least one side.
These improvements can translate into greater use of the arms, hands, and upper body.
“The results from the study remain encouraging,” said Ed Wirth, Chief Medical Officer at Asterias. “The six-month follow-up data continued to demonstrate a positive safety profile and show that the AST-OPC1 cells are successfully engrafting in patients.”
Restoring Function and Independence
None of the patients have regained the ability to walk. Even so, improvements in arm and hand function can make a dramatic difference.
Many daily activities depend on upper-body strength and mobility. Regaining those abilities can increase independence and improve quality of life.
The economic impact can also be significant. Lifetime care costs for people with severe paralysis can reach several million dollars. Greater independence can help reduce some of those long-term challenges.
Most importantly, the treatment is already changing lives.
One trial participant, Jake Javier, has shared his recovery journey over the years. Since receiving the therapy, he has continued his education at Cal Poly and built a future that once seemed out of reach.
His story highlights what drives regenerative medicine research: helping patients reclaim abilities, independence, and hope after a life-altering injury.
It looks very promising. Very, very promising and it will do a lot of good. This is awesome.
i have been battling a spinal injury for 11 years now getting worse sll the time i excerse all the time as of late its been difficult ive had 5 operations in syracause ny willing to try anything new with stem cell tu kevin j norton
Dear Mr. Norton, thanks for the comment and I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. I can only imagine how painful and challenging that must be. While we are funding research into spinal cord injury nothing we are doing at the moment would be of any benefit to you I’m afraid. All our clinical trial projects are targeting recent complete spinal cord injuries. You might find something of help on the http://www.clinicaltrials.gov website, that’s a list of all the clinical trials registered with the National Institutes of Health. If you do find a clinical trial that looks promising be sure to check out this page on the CIRM website before making any decision. It has information on questions you should ask before joining any trial. https://www.cirm.ca.gov/patients/patients-toolbox/participating-clinical-trial
I hope that helps.
My brother was a bright Orthopedic resident when he met with an accident 4 months back with a diagnosis of Spinal Cord Rupture – causing paraplegia. A bright future of being an Orthopedic Surgeon has been reduced to a depressed man who despises life. The above looks very promising. Can my brother be a candidate for this trial?
Dear Richa, I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. That must be incredibly challenging for him. The clinical trial we are funding has now completed enrollment but we hope the company running it will be able to apply to the FDA for permission to start a new one soon. We have no idea if that will be appropriate for your brother as this first trial was for patients with recent injuries, in the last 40 days or so. But if and when the new trial is announced we will certainly cover that news on our blog.
Thanks Kevin! I will keep following the blog and hope for good news.
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Any updates how he is doing now?
I have a friend having spinal cord injury, he is a poor man and having no support to him. if there is any supportive treatment or diagnosis system that he may stand in need for his health. please inform
Dear Ehsan, I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I can only imagine how challenging that must be for him to have a spinal cord injury and little money. Unfortunately we are unable to help. We are a state agency and while we do fund research we don’t have any money to help support patients. I’m sorry I cannot be of more help.
I am 31 yr old man almost 5 yrs ago I was disabled by slip n slide kickball at nieces birthday party is there any trials or treatments that can help me please let me know
Crushed c4 c5 c6 fused
Hi Matt, unfortunately I don’t know of any clinical trials currently underway for this. I know there is a lot of research taking place in this area but nothing so far has reached the clinical stage where it’s being tested in people.
I have an 18 year old grandson who was injured 40 days ago in a pool accident. He broke C5 vertebrae and had 4 and 5 removed. We are looking for possible clinical trials presently or functioning in the very near future. He has a very little feeling in his left thumb and some movement in his right arm. Super athletic, strong and motivated. If you know of anything we would appreciate it. Raymond
Hi Raymond, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandson’s injury. I can only imagine how challenging that must be for him and the whole family. I have checked on the http://www.clinicaltrials.gov website – that’s a list of trials registered with the National Institutes of Health – – but did not find any that would be appropriate for your grandson. I’m so sorry I can’t be of more help but wish you and your family all the best.
Kevin