Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Halting Progression of Multiple Sclerosis

Early-stage trial finds neural stem cell injections safe and potentially protective against further brain damage in MS patients.

An international team of scientists has conducted a first-in-man, early-stage clinical trial involving the injection of neural stem cells into the brains of 15 patients with secondary multiple sclerosis (MS).
The stem cells, derived from a single miscarried fetal donor, were found to be safe and well-tolerated, with no treatment-related deaths or serious adverse events reported.
During the 12-month follow-up period, none of the patients showed any increase in disability or worsening of symptoms, suggesting a stabilization of the disease.
Higher doses of injected stem cells were associated with a smaller reduction in brain volume over time, indicating that the stem cell transplant may have reduced inflammation.
The researchers also found signs that the stem cells were having a neuroprotective effect, potentially protecting nerve cells from further damage.