Potential role of stem cells in severe spinal cord injury: current perspectives and clinical data

Stem Cells and Cloning: Advances and Applications, 2012 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/SCCAA.S28477 · Published: September 24, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Stem cell transplantation, along with new drug research, offers potential to restore function and alleviate the societal and economic burden associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). Cell-based transplantation strategies have shown the most success in the subacute phase of injury, but repairing chronic SCI requires a combination of strategies to overcome glial scar effects and inhibitory molecules. Phase I clinical trials of neural stem cell-based approaches for SCI are anticipated to commence soon, indicating promising progress in the field.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review article

Key Findings

1
Neural progenitor cells have yielded the most promising outcomes in preclinical models of SCI treatment.
2
Cell transplantation strategies hold promise for SCI treatment, particularly when applied in the subacute phase of injury.
3
Repairing chronically injured spinal cords necessitates a multifaceted approach addressing glial scars, inhibitory molecules, and tissue engineering.

Research Summary

Stem cell transplantation offers potential for restoring function and easing the burden associated with spinal cord injury (SCI). The most convincing results have been obtained with neural progenitor cells in preclinical models. Cell transplantation strategies are promising, and it is anticipated that the Phase I clinical trials of some form of neural stem cell-based approach in SCI will commence very soon.

Practical Implications

Restoration of Function

Stem cell transplantation, combined with pharmacotherapy research, holds the potential to restore function lost due to spinal cord injury.

Economic Burden Reduction

Effective stem cell therapies for SCI could significantly reduce the social and economic burden associated with the condition.

Clinical Trial Advancement

The anticipated commencement of Phase I clinical trials for neural stem cell-based approaches in SCI signals progress toward clinical application.

Study Limitations

1
Repair of chronic SCI requires combinational strategies.
2
Ideal source of stem cells for efficient and safe cell replacement has remained a challenging issue that requires more investigation.
3
Different viewpoints, and variations between protocols at different institutions for graft replacement transplantation studies, make it difficult to develop a common protocol.

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