Cell therapy restored intervertebral discs

Stem cells relieved patients of severe back pain

Medical news from Emory University: Clinical trial shows stem cell injections reduce low back painAs international phase II clinical studies have shown, one injection of stem cells into degenerating intervertebral discs reduces back pain for at least 12 months.

These clinical trials are based on previous preclinical studies that have shown that highly purified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to restore the structure of a damaged cartilaginous disc. All indicators were better in those laboratory animals that were injected with stem cells, compared with the control group of animals.

Now these data have been confirmed by phase II clinical studies involving 100 patients, which have shown that injections of MSCs isolated from bone marrow reduce discogenic back pain caused by damage or wear of intervertebral discs by an average of more than 50% in one year.

In addition, the participants of the study decreased the need for painkillers, improved their condition, reduced the need for non-surgical treatment and further surgical interventions on the spine. These results were obtained in patients with moderate to severe discogenic back pain.

"These are very inspiring results that give great hope to alleviate a condition that is difficult to treat," said Jeremy Beckworth, professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation medicine at Emory University, who participated in the research.

The data obtained will pave the way for clinical trials of the final phase III, which may begin as early as this year.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru28.02.2014