Scientists achieve 'exciting' results in MS using autologous stem cells
A clinical trial involving a potential new stem cell therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been described as 'exciting' by researchers.
The study is published in the Lancet Neurology medical journal and suggests that, by giving patients injections of their own immune stem cells, it may be possible to reverse the neurological dysfunction of early-stage MS.
The technique was trialled on 21 patients who had typically been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis five years previously.
Researchers at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine found that patients improved for up to 24 months, after which their condition stabilised.
'This is the first time we have turned the tide on this disease,' said principal investigator Dr Richard Burt, chief of immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases at the Feinberg School.
He added: 'What we did is promising and exiting, but we need to prove it in a randomised trial.'
Dr Doug Brown, research manager at the MS Society, agreed that the results were very encouraging.
He said: 'Stem cells are showing more and more potential in the treatment of MS and the challenge we now face is proving their effectiveness in trials involving large numbers of people.'
Source : Times Online
Scientific Article : The Lancet Neurology