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.

A couple of weeks ago Geron announced that the FDA would allow a phase 1 trial using Embryonic Stem Cells on humans for the treatment of spinal cord injury.  The study will begin in the summer of 2009, and involve 8-10 people that are unfortunate enough to receive complete thoracic spinal cord injuries between the T2-T10 region.  Geron has plans to continue with cervical and incomplete injuries if the results during this first phase show improvement in locomotion, skin sensation, or bowel and bladder function.

High scrutiny will be placed on this historic first-time procedure in the U.S.  Stem cell therapies on humans with sci have been ongoing in other parts of the world such as China, but results have been poorly documented

Here’s a video with Dr. Tom Okarma, and a short blurb of the announcement.

This is a great first step, but as a quadriplegic for 14 years, I know it will be a slow process.  Possibly they’ll have a cure within ten years for me. That’s my timeline now for chronic sci survivors.

President Obama has guaranteed he’ll use the Executive Order overturning President Bush’s stem cell policy, so that should help research in the United States.