According to this Northwestern University report, “Northwestern Medicine is the first site open for enrollment in a national clinical research trial of a human embryonic stem cell-based therapy for participants with a subacute thoracic spinal cord injury. Following the procedure, participants will receive rehabilitation treatment at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC).”

So, Northwestern will be the lead site for the Geron Phase I clinical trials of GRNOPC1 Human embryonic stem cells therapy for spinal cord injury.  This is exciting for the community supporting the move of clinical trials using rats to humans, as discussed by Dr. Hans Keirstead in the video below.

This past week, news came out that Geron would continue with its embryonic stem cell treatment in the U.S. for spinal cord injuries.  Now, TCA Cellular Therapy has released news that they also will be beginning a human clinical trial in the United States for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

This treatment will be using adult stem cells, which are derived from the trials participants.  The trial’s first participant is paralyzed war veteran, Matt Cole.  In 2005, while serving in Iraq, this Marine was paralyzed from the chest down after suffering injuries from an insurgent attack.

The procedure is proprietary to TCA Cellular Therapy, and involves using the bone marrow of the recipient.  Marrow from the bones contains many different types of stem cells that can produce functional cells.

Already, a few thousand adult stem cells have been removed from Cole’s bone marrow.  Mensenchymal stem cells have been separated, purified, and multiplied.  The stem cells will be infused into Cole’s damaged spinal cord.  It’s hoped that these adult stem cells will produce functional cells that will aid in the healing process of damaged neurological tissue.

Safety will be the first issue, so Phase 1 will be used to assess the safety of intrathecal infusion of autologous Mensenchymal stem cell treatment in spinal cord injury.

The trial will start in August of 2010.  Final data collection for this first phase is expected to be completed by March of 2012; with a study completion date in June of 2012.

Candidates are being sought for this groundbreaking human clinical trial.  Follow the link below to read more about eligibility of this adult stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury.

Clinical trial eligibility requirements.

This study is different than the Geron embryonic stem cell trial, as the TCA Cellular Therapy trial involves adult stem cells, and those people injured within the last five years.  The Geron trial will only be using those with acute spinal cord injuries.

His trial is significant because it marks a move from the lab, and tests on mice, to human clinical trials in the United States for spinal cord injury.