Well this is horrible news.

“Aug 27 (Reuters) – Stem cell research company Geron Corp (GERN) said animals injected with its experimental cell therapy for subacute spinal cord injury developed microscopic cysts in the injury site.  However, a manufactured lot of the drug GRNOPC1 that was assessed using new markers and assays showed no cysts in a recently concluded study in rats, the company said in a statement.”

Geron’s IND application, and the trial, was placed on hold last week, as this data was presented to the FDA for further discussion.

I’m not a medical doctor, researcher, or part of the FDA, but I will be surprised if this stem cell trial is allowed to continue.  I was really hoping this trial would show some promising results, but it looks as if it will end before it even gets started.

Next.

I read some great news for Buffalo Bills player Kevin Everett today. He’s showing signs of movement after injuring his c3-4 vertebrae in a football tackle Sunday. That type of spinal cord injury usually leads to non-movement of arms and legs. I wish him the best.

What caught my eye was how he received hypothermic treatment immediately after his injury.

“Green said the key was the quick action taken by Cappuccino to run an ice-cold saline solution through Everett’s system that put the player in a hypothermic state. Doctors at the Miami Project have demonstrated in their laboratories that such action significantly decreases the damage to the spinal cord due to swelling and movement.

“We’ve been doing a protocol on humans and having similar experiences for many months now,” Green said. “But this is the first time I’m aware of that the doctor was with the patient when he was injured and the hypothermia was started within minutes of the injury. We know the earlier it’s started, the better.”

Cappuccino said Monday that the 25-year-old did have touch sensation throughout his body, showed signs of voluntary movement and was able to breathe on his own before being sedated. But he cautioned that Everett’s injury remained life-threatening because he was still susceptible to blood clots, infection and breathing failure.”

I went to the Miami Project a year after my injury, and participated in a few studies. This really makes sense. If they can slow down the swelling of the spinal cord, (which causes more damage) the injured person has a greater chance at keeping function.

I’m not a medical doctor, or researcher, but it seems it would advantageous to put a spinal cord injured person in that hypothermic state as soon as possible. Will emergency rooms be equipped with this possibility in the future? Maybe.