First Human Embryonic Stem Cell Trial Begins : Discovery News …

The landmark trial could one day lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

A patient with spinal cord injury will undergo an experimental therapy using embryonic stem cells for the first time.

More participants, who are all severely injured, are expected in the Phase I trial.

The ultimate goal is for the treatment to enable patients to eventually recover feeling and movement.

Doctors have begun the first tests of human embryonic stem cells in patients, treating a man with spinal cord injuries in a landmark trial of the controversial process, the Geron Corporation said Monday.

The patient began the pioneering treatment Friday with an injection of the biotech company's human embryonic stem cells, as part of a clinical trial that aims to test safety and efficacy toward regaining sensation and movement.

The treatment took place at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, a spokeswoman for the hospital told AFP, declining to give further details due to patient privacy concerns.

The Phase I trial is expected to involve around 10 patients. Participants in the human trials must be severely injured and start treatment with Geron's product, GRNOPC1, seven to 14 days after sustaining their injury.

Patients will be given a single injection of two million of Geron's GRNOPC1 cells in the trial.

Those taking part will be followed up for one year to monitor safety and also to see if they have regained any sensory function or movement in their lower extremities.

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First Human Embryonic Stem Cell Trial Begins : Discovery News ...