Japanese researchers' breakthrough stem cell treatment helps paralyzed man stand again

Another scientific marvel has been achieved. Scientists from Japan's Keio University have found a stem cell treatment that can treat spinal cord injuries. Said to be the first clinical study of its kind, this stem cell treatment has helped a paralyzed man stand again.


"There is currently no effective treatment for paralysis caused by serious spinal cord injuries, which affect more than 150,000 patients in Japan alone, with 5,000 new cases each year," The Japan Times reported.


Researchers at Keio University are conducting their study using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), which can then be prompted to mature into different kinds of cells. The researchers have said it was the first case in the world in which a treatment using cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, helped improve symptoms of patients with spinal cord injuries.


Paralyzed man regained his ability to stand again

According to the Japan NHK, one elderly man, who was injured in an accident, reportedly became able to stand without support and began practicing to walk. The patient's motor function score improved from the lowest rank of A to the higher level of D, on a scale of A to E.

Another patient's motor function score reportedly also went up two ranks to C. The patient is still unable to stand but became able to eat alone. The remaining two patients showed no motor functional recovery.


In the clinical study, the team transplanted 2 million iPSC-derived cells into the four patients, who were unable to move and had lost sensation due to spinal cord injuries. The degree of motor function recovery was examined one year later.


The researchers said the four patients did not develop any serious health problems. Patients with spinal cord injuries sometimes see their motor function improve through rehabilitation. But only about 10 percent of them see a recovery of two levels from the lowest rank of A.

Two of the four patients recovered some motor function, and one was even able to stand using a support mechanism after rehabilitation, the scientists have told the media.




There are about 5,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries every year in Japan. The researchers said they plan to conduct a clinical trial to obtain government approval for the treatment.