Human stem cell trial is 'dawn of new age'

SCIENTISTS have started the first ever human trial using embryonic stem cells in a development described as the dawn of a new age of medicine.

Geron Corp in the United States announced the enrolment of the first patient in a pilot study to test the safety of the therapy. The researchers are hoping the cells - which have the ability to turn into almost any type of tissue - can be used to treat serious spinal injuries.

Last night, experts in the UK welcomed the first study, with one describing it as the "dawn of the Stem Cell Age".

The paralysed patient taking part in the US trial, who has a severe spinal cord injury, will be treated with special cells that stimulate nerve growth.

The oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are grown in the lab from stem cells obtained from early-stage discarded human embryos. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have the ability to develop into almost any kind of human tissue.

Previous studies have shown that injecting the progenitor cells into animals with acute spinal cord injuries can restore some degree of motor function.

Geron said the first patient was enrolled at the Shepherd Centre, a spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

To be eligible, participating patients must have a "complete grade A" thoracic spinal injury sustained not more than 14 days before receiving the treatment, known as GRNOPC1.

British experts hailed the launch of the trial as a significant breakthrough, but stressed that the focus at this stage was on safety rather than benefits.

Professor Chris Mason, from the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at University College London, said: "This first-in-man study marks the dawn of the 'Stem Cell Age'.

"The essential transition, from bench to bedside, is a critical step-change in the progression of embryonic stem cells towards eventual cures. There are still many years of rigorous testing ahead and no doubt there will be setbacks and failures before we have safe and effective cell-based therapies."

Cloning pioneer Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, director of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: "This is very exciting news, however, it is very important to appreciate that the objective of trials at this stage is to confirm first of all that no harm is done to patients, rather than to look for benefits.

"Once that has been confirmed then the focus moves on to development and assessment of the new treatment."

In the UK, the first patient trial using embryonic stem cells is expected to start in the coming year, subject to approval from regulators.Peter Coffey and colleagues at University College London want to use the cells to treat age-related macular degeneration, which causes blindness.

Elsewhere researchers in France are hoping to use embryonic stem cells for restoring the heart after a heart attack, while a team in San Diego is exploring their use in diabetes.