American researchers to explore stem cell repair procedure

08 January 2010

Researchers in the USA are recruiting for a trial that will look at the safety and tolerability of a procedure that attempts to treat MS damage in the central nervous system with an individual's own stem cells.

Previous therapies have involved using stem cells from bone marrow to repopulate an individual's immune system that has previously been largely wiped out with chemotherapy drugs.

This study will test the ability of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the individual's bone marrow to both regulate the immune system and to help repair damaged tissue. This is a new area of research in MS.

The study is based in Cleveland, Ohio and will recruit 24 people with relapsing remitting MS.

Pam Macfarlane the Chief Executive of the MS Trust commented: "Whilst this is a USA trial and thus not open to people with MS in the UK it will provide data on the potential of transplanted mesenchymal cells. The importance of stringent, controlled trials to establish efficacy and safety cannot be underestimated and it is very encouraging to see that this study is commencing in the USA where there have been reservations about stem cell research."