Second spinal cord injury patient in stem cell trial

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Doctors have begun treating a second patient injected with human embryonic stem cells in the spine as part of a landmark Geron Corp clinical trial testing the cells in spinal cord injuries. The patient, who is not being identified, will undergo a progressive course of rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago after receiving an injection of stem cells at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern officials said Tuesday. 

Geron's stem cells come from human embryos left over from fertility treatments. They have been manipulated to become precursors to certain types of nerve cells. It is hoped they will travel to the site of a recent spinal cord injury and release compounds that help the damaged nerves in the cord regenerate. The Phase I trial will not be aiming to cure patients but to establish that the cells are safe to use. But the team will also look to see if the stem cells improve patients' control or sensation in the trunk or legs. Under the guidelines of the trial, the patients must have very recent injuries.