Stem-cell therapies: A breakthrough in treating parkinson's, cancer, diabetes, and more
Globally, over 100 trials are currently underway, primarily focusing on safety
Stem-cell research has reached a crucial turning point, with clinical trials underway to treat diseases like Parkinson's, cancer, and diabetes, reports Nature.
One promising trial involves the transplantation of stem-cell-derived neurons into Parkinson's patients, offering new hope for tissue regeneration.
Globally, over 100 trials are currently underway, primarily focusing on safety. Though small-scale, experts are optimistic that these therapies could become mainstream within the next decade.
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Early results from trials for brain and eye diseases show the transformative potential of stem cells, despite challenges such as immune rejection.
Andrew Cassy, a former telecommunications researcher diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2010, is part of a pioneering trial in Lund, Sweden.
Surgeons transplanted neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells into his brain to replace the dopamine-producing neurons destroyed by the disease. Having retired early due to his diagnosis, Cassy volunteered for the trial to contribute to scientific progress.
"I had time, something of value that I could give to the process of understanding the disease and finding good treatments," Cassy says.
This trial is part of a broader effort to develop stem-cell therapies to repair or replace damaged tissue in the brain, heart, pancreas, and other organs.
In Parkinson's, replacing degenerated dopaminergic cells with stem-cell-derived neurons could restore motor function. While previous experiments using fetal brain tissue had mixed results, current trials using human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a more reliable and ethically acceptable source of tissue.
"The rate of progress has been remarkable," says stem-cell specialist Martin Pera at the Jackson Laboratory. "It's just 26 years since we first learned to culture human stem cells in flasks."
Trials for Parkinson's disease have already shown promising results. BlueRock Therapeutics' trial, using stem cells to create dopamine-producing cells, has demonstrated safety and early signs of effectiveness, without the severe side effects of previous treatments.
The trial shows that stem cells can be transplanted into the brain without triggering uncontrolled movements, a significant breakthrough for Parkinson's patients.
Stem-cell therapies are also showing promise for other diseases. Neurona Therapeutics' epilepsy trial saw participants experience a near-total reduction in seizures after receiving stem cell transplants.
Arnold Kriegstein, a co-founder of Neurona Therapeutics, says, "The outcomes for patients were strikingly similar even though procedures were carried out at different sites around the country. It is very robust."
In addition to neurological conditions, stem-cell therapies are being tested for diabetes, heart disease, and eye disorders. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is working on a trial to use stem cells to treat type 1 diabetes, with encouraging results so far.
As research continues, stem-cell therapies are on track to revolutionise healthcare, offering new solutions to some of the most challenging health issues of our time.
