New Jersey physician and researcher Hatem Sabaawy, MD, has conducted a clinical trial using adult stem cells to regenerate nerves in spinal cord injuries, according to a My Central Jersey report. Dr. Sabaawy, founder of Celvive, used the StemCell Bag method, in which the physician takes bone marrow cells from the patient's hip and inserts it to the site of spinal injury by passing them through a sealed, multiple-bag device. The material of the StemCell Bag is similar to that of blood bags and does not interact with human cells, according to the report. It minimizes the introduction of pathogens and outside agents to the adult stem cells.
The results of his study showed 46 percent, or 23 out of 50 patients, had neurological improvements. Several of the patients regained the ability to walk with canes. The first phase of the study was designed to test the safety of the cell therapy, rather than to get patients using motor functions again. The next phase will involve a dose escalation and evaluating motor responses, according to the report.
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