In two parallel studies, one American and one Japanese, researchers report the results of clinical trials where different types of stem cells have been used. From the stem cells, cells have been developed for transplantation to patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson's, certain types of nerve cells break down and the body lacks the signal substance dopamine. Those affected get impaired motor skills.
Patients can be treated with medication, often L-dopa, which replaces the missing dopamine. But in the long run, the treatment may lose its effect and it is common for more and severe side effects to develop.
Hot field
A hot field is to transplant new dopamine-producing cells in patients.
This is a study that shows that the cells are safe and that the patients in the study have not been affected by serious side effects. It is crucial and shows that we are on the right track, says Malin Parmar, professor of cellular neuroscience at Lund University.
She herself leads research similar to that now published in the journal Nature. Within the framework of a study, patients have received cells transplanted into the brain. The results from these are expected to come within a year.
In the American study, twelve patients have received cells developed from stem cells from early embryos. In the Japanese study, with seven patients, reprogrammed stem cells were used to become dopamine-producing cells instead.
Followed for two years
The patients have been followed for 18 and 24 months, respectively, without any serious side effects occurring. The purpose of the two studies was to investigate safety, but the researchers also noted some improvement in motor skills.
Malin Parmar has researched stem cell treatment for Parkinson's for many years. She believes that a lot has happened just in recent years.
There is progress even in diabetes, epilepsy, eye diseases, and cancer. Research has been going on for many years and now it's a bit of a ketchup effect when the results come. It's very exciting to see, she says.
