Clinical trial using stem cells to treat ALS expanding to University of Michigan
Can stem cell injections delivered directly into a patient's spine lessen the effects of Lou Gehrig's disease?
The University of Michigan Hospital is participating in a ground-breaking clinical trial that is seeking to answer that very question.
The hospital will be involved in the second phase of a clinical trial exploring how stem cell injections work in patients with the deadly degenerative neurological disease commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
For nearly two years, U-M neurologist Eva Feldman has led the first phase of the trial at Emory University. A new approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has paved the way for U-M to become the second site in the trial, pending approval of the U-M Institutional Review Board.
The FDA approval of the second phase was announced today by Neuralstem, the company whose product the trial is testing.
The doses used in the trial include up to 400,000 cells per injection, with a patient receiving a maximum of 40 injections. Doctors are testing whether the injections impact patients’ ALS symptoms or progression.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
dotdash
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
This kind of thing is what lifts U of Michigan above the rest. Glad to have Dr. Feldman here.
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
Earth is the Center of the Universe: Until we know that life really exists in some other part of known universe, planet Earth remains to be the center of the vast universe that we know and have explored. It is the only place in the universe where actions are determined by reasoning, and choices are made by making a distinction between good, and bad, and by discerning right from wrong. I would like to read about the source of these cells and as to how the life ended prematurely if the source is that of another human being.
Narnia
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 11:35 a.m.
Kellie, Are they using adult or fetal stem cells?
Kellie Woodhouse
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 3:28 p.m.
Hi Narnia, I'll check with the university on this and get back to you.
Heather Feather
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 11:47 p.m.
It is nice to hear about this scientist's progress towards providing relief for patients with ALS. & the ability for her (and her lab?) to return to U-M! Incidentally, was that the intended cut of that video?
Thomas Cook
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 8:09 p.m.
Why downvote Max? It's a very legit question, not just from an ethical or cost standpoint but just looking at plain efficacy adult stem cell trials and treatments are blowing away embryonic stem cells.
abc911
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 9:10 a.m.
leaguebus, It is no doubt unethical for a human to destroy another life in an attempt to lessen symptoms of their affliction. If they are using cells obtained from an aborted fetus, then they need to deal with immune rejection and the patient would have to take drugs that would suppress his immune system for the rest of his life. If they used an adult stem cell line derived from the patient's own cells, there would be no need to suppress immune response and the patient outcome would be greatly enhanced. It is critically important that any discussion of stem cells clearly differentiates between adult or fetal stem cell lines.
leaguebus
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
No, it is not a legitimate question. Somehow you and the questioner imply that it is unethical to use fetal stem cells. No one aborts babies with the sole purpose of obtaining stem cells. The UM has research ethics committees that make sure no lab is doing anything unethical in its research. Is the Earth still the center of the Universe?
Max Peters
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
These are adult stem cells, right?
Max Peters
Thu, Apr 18, 2013 : 1:11 p.m.
I'm sure that if they were fetal that would be in big bold letters repeated throughout. That it isn't clear is telling.
JustaThought
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 9:01 p.m.
I tried to find out. I don't think so. Something I read indicated they are derived from a line of cells from an aborted embryo. I can't say that's absolutely correct, but I don't think that the ALS study is using adult stem cells. Maybe someone else can provide the answer along with a good reference?
An Arborigine
Wed, Apr 17, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
At the risk of losing funding because of "special interest groups", I hope the UM does the right thing in the name of advancing medicine.