Japanese paralysed man stands again after groundbreaking stem cell treatment

In a groundbreaking medical breakthrough, a paralysed Japanese man can now stand on his own after receiving a cutting-edge stem cell treatment for his spinal cord injury. 

Nature explores in a fresh article that this revolutionary trial, which marks a significant leap forward in regenerative medicine, has brought new hope to those living with paralysis.

The Japanese man was one of four participants in a historic trial using reprogrammed stem cells to treat individuals who are completely paralyzed.

The trial, led by Hideyuki Okano, a stem-cell scientist at Keio University in Tokyo, is being hailed as a major step forward in regenerative medicine.

The results of the trial, announced on March 21 at a press conference, have not yet undergone peer review. However, researchers have noted that the treatment appears to be safe.

“That’s a great positive outcome. It’s very exciting for the field,” said James St John, a translational neuroscientist at Griffith University in Australia. Previous trials with different stem cell types have also demonstrated safety, but results have been inconsistent. “Nothing’s really worked so far,” added St John.

The study’s findings are promising, but larger trials will be needed to confirm whether the improvements seen in the two participants are directly linked to the treatment. St John cautioned that it’s also possible that the patients could have experienced a natural recovery.

Globally, about 0.9 million people suffered from spinal cord injuries in 2019, with approximately 20 million people living with the condition.

The trial used induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which are created by reverting adult cells to an embryonic-like state. These cells can be guided to develop into various types of cells, including neural precursor cells.

For the trial, iPS cells derived from a donor were used to create neural precursor cells, which were then injected into the spinal cord injury site of each participant. A total of two million cells were injected into each patient with the goal that they would eventually transform into neurons and glial cells.

The first surgery was performed in December 2021, followed by three additional surgeries between 2022 and 2023. The four participants, all adult males, ranged in age, with two of them being over 60 years old. Each participant underwent surgery within two to four weeks of their spinal cord injury, and they were given immune-suppressing drugs for six months after the surgery to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplanted cells.

These results are part of a series of small human trials investigating the potential of iPS cells for tissue regeneration and the treatment of various diseases. The study offers new hope for those affected by spinal cord injuries, with researchers and scientists closely monitoring the development of this innovative treatment.

By Naila Huseynova