Stem cell-derived dopamine cell transplantation appears to be a feasible approach to replacing dopamine-producing neurons lost in Parkinson’s disease (PD), although its long-term clinical benefit and safety remain uncertain.

In a small phase 1/2 open-label study involving eight patients, transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived dopamine progenitor cells survived in the brains of some patients with PD and did not lead to tumor formation or abnormal tissue growth. Seven patients remained clinically stable over 12 months, and six substantially reduced their dopaminergic medication.

“The possibility of replacing dopamine neurons that are lost in Parkinson’s disease has been a long-standing goal in the field,” Malin Parmar, PhD, professor of cellular neuroscience at Lund University in Lund, Sweden and lead of the STEM-PD program, said in a statement.

“The findings represent an important milestone for regenerative medicine approaches in Parkinson’s disease and support continued clinical development of stem cell-based therapies,” Parmar added.

Source: MEDspace