Japan Performs World’s First Stem Cell Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease

Notably, a patient in Japan has received a pioneering stem-cell treatment for Parkinson's disease, marking a world-first after the therapy's conditional approval in the country.

Key points

• After the trial results, Sumitomo Pharma aims to perform transplants on 20 to 30 patients by March 2029.
• According to Japanese drugmaker Sumitomo Pharma, the first transplant took place at Kyoto University Hospital in October.
• More than 10 million individuals worldwide are estimated to live with the condition, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.
• During the clinical trial, seven patients aged between 50 and 69 received the experimental treatment.
• Doctors implanted either five million or 10 million cells into both sides of each patient's brain.

According to Japanese drugmaker Sumitomo Pharma, the first transplant took place at Kyoto University Hospital in October. Experts Warn of Rising Heart Disease Risk Among Pakistani Women.

In practice, the treatment involves transplanting millions of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into a patient's brain. These cells can develop into different types of cells in the human body, offering new possibilities for treating neurological disorders.

Japanese regulators granted conditional approval to the therapy in March after a successful clinical trial.

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that affects the body's motor system. It commonly causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulties with movement.

More than 10 million individuals worldwide are estimated to live with the condition, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. Existing treatments mainly support control symptoms but do not stop or slow the disease's progression.

For context, the new therapy uses iPS cells created by reprogramming mature, specialized cells into an earlier developmental state.

Sumitomo Pharma uses iPS cells obtained from healthy donors and develops them into precursor cells that can produce dopamine. This is particularly significant as individuals with Parkinson's disease lose dopamine-producing brain cells over time. Crow Brain Outpaces Humans and Monkeys.

Doctors implanted either five million or 10 million cells into both sides of each patient's brain. Researchers monitored the participants for two years and discovered no major adverse effects. Four of the seven patients additionally experienced improvements in their symptoms.

After the trial results, Sumitomo Pharma aims to perform transplants on 20 to 30 patients by March 2029. The firm is additionally conducting a clinical trial of the treatment in the United States.

According to Japanese media reports, the therapy could receive full approval in Japan if its safety and effectiveness are confirmed over the next seven years. Stay Connected with ProPakistani. Obtain the latest international news and global stories wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

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