University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is conducting a clinical trial testing Newark, Calif.-based StemCells' neural stem-cell treatment for traumatic spinal cord injury patients, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Here are four observations:
1. StemCells is searching for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries that caused full paralysis of the legs and partial paralysis of the arms, to participate in the Phase II trial.
2. StemCells reported seven of 12 patients with thoracic spinal cord injuries who received the stem-cell procedure regained sensation below the injury level.
3. A Phase I trial saw five quadriplegic patients with cervical spinal cord injuries regain upper-body strength.
4. StemCells is hopeful for FDA approval in the future if the clinical trials continue to demonstrate positive outcomes.