Comment by jey

5 hours ago

What does the stem cell treatment help with beyond the existing fetal surgery? Since it's in addition to the usual surgical treatment

4 comments

jey

nickburns 5 hours ago

  The CuRe Trial is exploring whether stem cells can add regenerative power to surgery, potentially improving mobility and quality of life.
  
  “This is a major step toward a new kind of fetal therapy, one that doesn’t just repair but potentially helps heal and protect the developing spinal cord,” said Aijun Wang, co inventor of the placental-derived stem cell treatment technology and the study’s co-principal investigator [ . . . ].

jey 3 hours ago
That doesn't really explain anything biologically. Just vaguely says "potentially helps heal and protect"
- vilhelm_s 1 hour ago
  
  They cite this paper which gives the concept: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002234681... . The mechanism of injury in spina bifida is that the spinal cord gets exposed and damaged. Current surgery will close the spinal canal to prevent further exposure, but it doesn't do anything to reverse the damage that has already happened. The stem cells integrate into the neural tissue and hopefully help the axons heal.
- nickburns 2 hours ago
  
  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6...