Surgeons injected millions
of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells grown from hESCs into the injury site through a fine needle, hoping the cells would stimulate nerve growth and re-sheathe nerves damaged through the injury.
Asterias has banks of these embryonic stem cells, derived from this cell line, which the company can multiply to make cells as needed and, in turn, convert them
into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells for use in clinical trial evaluation in patients.
Starting with transplants of human oligodendrocytes in the late 1980s [40], and more recently with populations of
human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells isolated from the developing or adult CNS, or from human embryonic stem cells, it has been possible to generate extensive myelination upon transplantation into spinal cord injury or into congenital mouse models of hypomyelination [41]--[48].
«There are currently no therapies which successfully reverse the damage seen in the more than 12,000 individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury each year in the United States alone,» says Dr. Richard G. Fessler, professor of neurological surgery at Rush University Medical Center and principal investigator for the Phase 1 clinical trial involving AST - OPC1 (
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells).
This type of stem cell, called
an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell, is found in the brain and spinal cord.
«
Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells,» or OPCs, are progenitor cells — similar to stem cells — that have the capacity to differentiate during tissue repair.
Most of these trials involve stem cell - derived neural progenitor cells, which can turn into several different types of brain or spinal cord cells, or
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which create the myelin sheaths that insulate and protect nerve cells.
Most of these trials involve stem cell — derived neural progenitor cells, which can turn into several different types of brain or spinal cord cells, or
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which create the myelin sheaths that insulate and protect nerve cells.
At the International Society for Stem Cell Research 2017 Annual Meeting (June 14 - 17, 2017; Boston, USA), Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc (CA, USA) will present new 9 - month efficacy and safety data from their ongoing SCiStar Phase I / IIa trial of human embryonic stem cell - derived
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Express Neurotrophic Factors.
Immunological properties of human embryonic stem cell - derived
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
AST - OPC1 (
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells) is currently in a Phase 1 / 2a dose escalation clinical trial in spinal cord injury.
GRNOPC1, hESC - derived
oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, have been assessed by Geron for treatment of spinal cord injury.
AST - OPC1,
an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell population derived from human embryonic stem cells, has been shown in preclinical testing in animals and in vitro to have three potentially reparative functions that address the complex pathologies observed in demyelination disorders, such as spinal cord injuries, and multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis and white matter stroke.