Second Patient Receives Embryonic Stem Cell Treatment in Gerons Clinical Trial

May 13, 2011   
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Geron Corp. has announced, as part of its landmark Phase I clinical trial, that a second patient has received an embryonic stem cell injection. The patient, who recently suffered a severe spinal cord injury, received the injection at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and will undergo rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In August, 2010, we reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the “go ahead” for the worlds first authorized human trial of an embryonic stem cell treatment.

The purpose of the trial is to establish the safety of the embryonic stem cells, in addition to establishing that the cells will effectively travel to the site of a recent spinal cord injury and help restore the damaged nerves. The team will look to see if the stem cells improve the patients control or sensation in the trunk or legs.

The first patient to undergo the procedure, over six months ago, has not had any serious side effects. However, it is still too early to determine whether the patients control or sensation has improved.