Stem cell study limited to only a select few

Stem cell study limited to only a select few

The first clinical trial of using embryonic stem cells in humans will only be available to only a few patients according to the chief researcher of the trial.

“I think it’s likely that 50 percent or even 75 percent of patients we evaluate will not meet the criteria,” said Dr. Richard Fessler of Northwestern University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Geron Corp. has received the first-ever license from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat humans using embryonic stem cells.

The initial group of patients consists of those with spinal cord injuries, and the first one just underwent the treatment in Atlanta, the company said. Northwestern is the other venue for patients to register and qualify after passing a rigorous screening test.

“What will happen is some individuals will experience some kind of spinal cord injury,” Fessler said.

The researchers will pick a patient for the trial if he or she has an intact spinal cord, no infection, no malignancy, and if the damage is located at a particular spot.

Those who are offered to undergo the trial are given 11 days to decide if they are sure to go through the stem cell treatment.

“We have to transplant them within 14 days of the injury,” Fessler said.

Embryonic stem cells can produce any type of cell in the body and holds much promise for the treatment of various diseases.

Critics have said that it is unethical to produce the cells because human embryos are destroyed by the process and this consideration outweighs any medical benefit.

Posted by George Daniels on Tuesday October 12 2010, 10:01 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0