First patient enters trial to test safety of stem cells in spinal injury

The first patient has been recruited to a clinical trial to assess the safety of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to treat complete spinal cord injury, a US company, Geron, reported on Monday 11 October. The phase I study is investigating the safety and tolerability of stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. The aim is to recruit a group of patients with injuries graded as A on the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale, which means that they have complete loss of sensory and motor function, with the last fully preserved neurological level from the T3 to T10 thoracic vertebrae. Patients who meet these criteria are being recruited at seven …