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Stem cell therapy shows promise in small MS trial - 2010
A pioneering stem cell therapy may be of benefit in people with multiple sclerosis
(MS), according to a small UK study.
Stem cells are capable of replacing defective
cells in many types of tissues and organs and scientists at the University of Bristol
and North Bristol NHS Trust set out to see whether cells harvested from bone marrow
could be used to treat MS.
Bone marrow was harvested from trial participants and the
cells were then filtered and injected into the patient's vein.They were then followed
for one year and the researchers found that participants showed stable disease and
possible signs of neurophysiological benefits.
Lead researcher Professor Neil Scolding,
professor of clinical neurosciences at the University of Bristol, said that a larger
study is now needed to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. 'Research into the
underlying mechanisms is ongoing and vital in order to build on these results,' he
noted. “We believe that stem cells mobilised from the marrow to the blood are responsible,
and that they help improve disease in several ways.”
Source -
The study had been funded by the Adrian Wright Bequest, The Patrick Berthoud Charitable Trust, the Silverman Family Foundation, The Myelin Project, the Captain SK Trust and The Burden Trust.
A new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) is being pioneered near Bristol.
Six patients at Frenchay Hospital are being injected with their own stem cells in the hope that they will repair damage to the brain.
Prof Neil Scolding, of the Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, said: "We know stem cells are attracted into the brain, into these areas of damage."
He added that he hoped the stem cells would "help those areas to stop getting worse" and "repair damage".
‘Hope'
Liz Allison, an MS patient taking part in the trial, said: "I'm hoping there will be some improvement."
BBC health correspondent Matthew Hill said: "We've already seen stem cells used on cardiac patients but this is the first time a reputable organisation has tried it out on MS patients.
"There is a lot of hope riding on these trials but it is very early days yet."
He added that it was likely to be several months before any conclusions could be drawn regarding the treatment.
Source: BBC News © BBC 2007.
Particular Concern
Over these past years many sufferers have been encouraged to travel to other countries from the UK and elsewhere at great expense and effort. Private clinics have offered stem cell therapy treatment, more so as a treatment for some of the serious neurological, autoimmune diseases. The science has yet to be proven, some of the clinics were investigated and closed down.
Currently there is no scientific proof nor substantial anecdotal evidence that stem cell therapy is an effective treatment for serious neurological, autoimmune diseases.