The major neural cells of the central nervous system typically do not regenerate after injury. If a nerve cell is damaged due to disease or injury, there is no treatment at present to restore lost function. Patients worldwide suffer from injury to the nervous system or disorders associated with its degeneration. In the case of spinal cord injuries, patients are often left partly or wholly paralyzed because nerve and supporting cells in the spinal cord have been damaged and cannot regenerate. Such patients are permanently disabled, often institutionalized and may require life support.
Geron is planning a human clinical trial of an embryonic stem cell-based therapy using GRNOPC1 for acute spinal cord injury. The clinical study will be a Phase I multi-center trial designed to assess the safety and tolerability of GRNOPC1 in patients with complete ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) grade A thoracic spinal cord injuries.
For more information about the spinal cord injury trial, please click here .
For more information about GRNOPC1, please click here.
Links for Additional Spinal Cord Injury Information:
ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) http://www.asia-spinalinjury.org
A group of medical and other professionals engaged in the treatment of SCI to promote and establish standards for health care, education, to foster research and to facilitate communication between members.
CareCure Community http://sci.rutgers.edu
This web site provides information and discussion forums for the spinal cord injury community.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center http://www.paralysis.org/site
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) promotes the health and well-being of people living with spinal cord injury, paralysis and mobility impairment by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services.
ClinicalTrials.gov (SCI Trials) http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=spinal+cord+injury
ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov gives you information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. This information should be used in conjunction with advice from health care professionals.
International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis (ICCP) http://www.campaignforcure.org/iccp
This web site was created as an information resource for interested individuals, organizations and governments who wish to understand more about, and perhaps, contribute to spinal cord injury research.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association http://www.spinalcord.org
A link to a spinal cord injury chat room, message boards, news, injury information, a quarterly publication and other areas.
Spinal Cord Injury Information Network http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu
News, research projects, and happenings at the University of Alabama Model Spinal Cord Injury Care System and general information about Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems.
