Human Embryonic Stem Cell Clinical Trials[edit] Introduction[edit]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first clinical trial in the United States involving human embryonic stem cells on January 23, 2009. Geron Corporation, a biotechnology firm located in Menlo Park, California, originally planned to enroll ten patients suffering from spinal cord injuries to participate in the trial. The company hoped that GRNOPC1, a product derived from human embryonic stem cells, would stimulate nerve growth in patients with debilitating damage to the spinal cord.[1] The trial began in 2010 after being delayed by the FDA because cysts were found on mice injected with these cells, and safety concerns were raised.[2]
In the United States, the FDA must approve all clinical trials involving newly developed pharmaceuticals. Researchers must complete an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in order to earn the FDAs approval. IND applications typically include data from animal and toxicology studies in which the drugs safety is tested, drug manufacturing information explaining how and where the drug will be produced, and a detailed research protocol stating who will be included in the study, how the drug will be administered and how participants will be consented.[3] Testing for new drugs must successfully go through three phases of research before a drug can be marketed to the public. In Phase I trials, the drugs safety is tested on a small group of participants. The drugs effectiveness is tested during Phase II trials with a larger number of participants. Phase III trials, involving 1,000- 3,000 participants, analyze effectiveness, determine side effects and compare the outcomes of the new drug to similar drugs on the market.[4] An additional phase, Phase IV, is included to continually gain information after a drug is on the market. Gerons IND application for the GRNOPC1 clinical trial, nearly 28,000 pages in length, was one of the most extensive applications ever to be submitted to the FDA.[2]
Before Geron could test GRNOPC1 in humans, tests in animals had to occur. At the University of California at Irvine, Dr. Hans Keirstead and Dr. Gabriel Nistor, credited with the technique used to develop oligodendrocytes from human embryonic stem cells, injected the cells into rats with spinal cord injuries. The condition of the rats improved after treatment.[5]
The first patient, identified in an article by the Washington Post as Timothy J. Atchison of Alabama, enrolled in the trial in October 2010. The patient was treated at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA just two weeks after he sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident. The Shepherd Center and six other spinal centers were recruited by Geron to participate in the clinical trial. The Washington Post reported that Atchison has begun to get some very slight sensation: He can feel relief when he lifts a bowling ball off his lap and discern discomfort when he pulls on hairs on some parts of his legs. He has also strengthened his abdomen. Atchison underwent therapy at the Shepherd Center for three months before returning home to Alabama.[6]
Although Geron initially aimed to enroll ten patients in the trial, only three additional patients were added after Atchison. As specified by Geron, eligible patients had to experience a neurologically complete spinal cord injury within seven to fourteen days prior to enrollment. In addition, patients had to be between the ages of 18 and 65 and could not have a history of malignancy, significant organ damage, be pregnant or nursing, unable to communicate or participate in any other experimental procedures. Participants received one injection of GRNOPC1 containing approximately 2 million cells. Even though the trial has officially ended, Geron will continue to monitor participants for fifteen years.[7]
Although no official results from the trial have been published, preliminary results from the clinical trial were presented at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) conference in October 2011. None of the participants experienced serious adverse events, although nausea and low magnesium were reported. In addition, no changes to the spinal cord or neurological condition were found.[8]
After investing millions of dollars in the research leading up to this trial, Geron Corporation discontinued the study in November 2011 to focus on cancer research. John Scarlett, Gerons chief executive officer, said In the current environment of capital scarcity and uncertain economic conditions, we intend to focus our resources on advancing our two novel and promising oncology drug candidates.[9] The companys stocks fell dramatically to $1.50 per share from $2.28 per share when news of the trials discontinuation became public. A spokesperson for the company said that Geron would save money by ending the trial despite the loss in investors. Because many believed Gerons trial offered hope for advancing knowledge related to stem cells and their potential uses, there was disappointment in the scientific community when the trial was cut short. An article on Bioethics Forum, a publication produced by The Hastings Center, stated, "It is one thing to close a trial to further enrollment for scientific reasons, such as a problem with trial design, or for ethical reasons, such as an unanticipated serious risk of harm to participants. It is quite another matter to close a trial for business reasons, such as to improve profit margins."[10]
In 2013 Geron's stem cell assets were acquired by biotechnology firm BioTime, helmed by CEO Michael D. West, the founder of Geron and former Chief Scientific Officer of Advanced Cell Technology. BioTime indicated that it plans to re-start the embryonic stem cell-based clinical trial for spinal cord injury.[11]
Two clinical trials involving derivatives of human embryonic stem cells were approved in 2010. Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) located in Marlborough, Massachusetts, leads the trials aimed at improving the vision of patients with Stargardts Macular Dystrophy and Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Originally, twelve patients were estimated to enroll at three hospitals in the U.S.; participating institutions included the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worchester, Massachusetts, and the New Jersey Medical School in Newark, New Jersey.[12] Patients eyes were injected with retinal pigmented epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. While no definitive findings from this study have been produced, an article published in Lancet in January 2012 stated that preliminary findings appear to be promising. In this article, outcomes from two patients treated as part of the trial were discussed. During the trial, neither patients vision worsened, and no negative side effects were reported.[13]
Phase I/II clinical trials involving retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, derived from human embryonic stem cells, for the treatment of severe myopia were approved in February 2013.[14]
The FDA approved a phase I clinical trial with ViaCyte beta cells derived from human embryonic stem cell for the treatment of diabetes in August 2014.[15] The cells will be delivered in immunoprotective capsules and pre-clinical results in animal models showed remission of symptoms within a few months.[16] The company reported the successful transplantation of the cells in the first of the 40 patients that will be treated under the trial in late October 2014.[17]
As state funding for human embryonic stem cell research grows, t
here seems to be more support for state sponsored clinical trials. In 2010, California committed fifty million dollars to early-stage clinical trials. Although approved trials must take place in California, scientists are hopeful that this funding will bolster future research in the field.[18]
See the original post here:
Human embryonic stem cells clinical trials - Wikipedia ...
- ACT - Stem Cell Trial for AMD and Stargardt - Phase 1 - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Excerpt from: "The Urban Wire" Internet Radio Podcast: FDA Oks embryonic stem cell trials for humans - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) AMD stem cell clinical phase - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Retina and cornea regeneration ACT Dr lanza - Advanced Cell Technology - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Spinal Patient Receives Stem Cells in First Experimental Treatment - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Bloomberg: Geron, StemCells Rise 4% - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Bringing Stem Cell Cures to the Clinic: UC Davis GMP Facility - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Researchers in California Show Results for Spinal Cord Injuries Using Embryonic Stem Cells - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Bill Caldwell, Chairman - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- Advanced Cell Technology OneMedForum 2011 - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- ACT edmund vision stem cells program Advanced Cell Technology - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- Texans for Stem Cell Research Learn for Life: KXAN Coverage Aired August 16th, 2011 - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- ACT - Dr Lanza - Hermangioblast program - Advanced cell technology - September 23rd, 2011 [September 23rd, 2011]
- Anticipating the Next Decade of the Genome - Francis Collins, Director of NIH - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- New Epilepsy Treatment Under Study For Seizures - Part 1 - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- A Thank You For Trevor Raborn - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- CBLI Breaking News - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- What is Cord Blood Banking? The Medical Potential of Newborn Stem Cells - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Stem cell medical breakthrough? - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- NIST Colloquium Series: Next Generation Neural Implants - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Alan Lewis: Embryonic Stem Cell Therapies for diabetes - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- 2011 Predictions for Hair Transplant Developments | Arocha Hair Restoration - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Healthbeat - Stem Cell Research - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Living With ALS - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- A Revolutionary New Potential Treatment for Glioblastoma... - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Lyme Disease: Challenges and Innovations - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- 2010: Cord blood saving lives [CNN: 5-30-2011] - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Biotechnology, Diagnostics, and Genomics: Panel Discussion - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Pharmacogenomics - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Brickheads - Osteobots Practice Skit.mpg - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- A veteran lives with ALS - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- Healthy Body = Functional Body. Hollywood Look Side Effect: Healthy Function - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- 2009 Flu Summit: Opening Remarks - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- Cord Blood Breakthrough - September 28th, 2011 [September 28th, 2011]
- SENS5 - Leucocyte transfusions as a novel immunotherapy for cancer patients - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- Lymphoma Drug SGN-35 - The Nebraska Medical Center - October 2nd, 2011 [October 2nd, 2011]
- ACell Hair Restoration with Dr. Gary Hitzig and Dr. Amiya Prasad - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- Hans Keirstead: Developing therapies based on embryonic stem cells - Video - October 14th, 2011 [October 14th, 2011]
- NJN News Healthwatch Report - Cornea Treatment Study - Video - October 20th, 2011 [October 20th, 2011]
- HIV/AIDS may be prevented by new lubricant - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- MFIII Switzerland PE Sheep Placenta Glandular therapy Study - Client Interviews - Video - October 22nd, 2011 [October 22nd, 2011]
- Love Diabetes: BCG and Noncompliant Patients - Video - October 25th, 2011 [October 25th, 2011]
- Dr. Alimorad Farshchian statement on embryonic stem cells - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- StemCellTV Daily Report-October 29, 2011 - Video - October 30th, 2011 [October 30th, 2011]
- Stephen McKenna MD - 8 - Video - October 31st, 2011 [October 31st, 2011]
- ALS Stem Cell Trial at Emory - Video - November 22nd, 2011 [November 22nd, 2011]
- Target Product Profile: Ellen Feigal - 2011 CIRM Grantee Meeting - Video - December 6th, 2011 [December 6th, 2011]
- Monoclonal Antibodies: Stanford Academia-Industry Collaboration - Video - December 8th, 2011 [December 8th, 2011]
- Parkinson's Disease Guidelines (Part 2) - Video - December 9th, 2011 [December 9th, 2011]
- Macular Degeneration Drugs - Video - December 13th, 2011 [December 13th, 2011]
- BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics (OTCBB:BCLI) Has Potentially Developed A Treatment For ALS - January 31st, 2012 [January 31st, 2012]
- StemCells, Inc. Receives FDA Authorization for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Clinical Trial - February 3rd, 2012 [February 3rd, 2012]
- Stemedica Cell Technologies - Documentary - Video - February 4th, 2012 [February 4th, 2012]
- (GMCR, STEM, DSCO) CRWENewswire.com Stocks In Action - Video - February 7th, 2012 [February 7th, 2012]
- Bioheart Acquires Exclusive Rights to Ageless Regenerative Institute's Adipose Cell Technology - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Neuralstem Announces Closing of $5.2-Million Registered Direct Offering - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Scientists Repair Heart Attack Damage Using Patient's Own Stem Cells To Regrow Healthy Heart Muscle - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Stem Cells Regrow Healthy Heart Muscle In Heart Attack Patients - February 15th, 2012 [February 15th, 2012]
- Groundbreaking Clinical Trials Study Cord Blood Stem Cells to Help Treat Brain Injury and Hearing Loss - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- Novelos Therapeutics Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Lung Cancer Trial With I-124-CLR1404 (Light) Cancer ... - February 22nd, 2012 [February 22nd, 2012]
- IntelliCell BioScience Inc. Procedure Enables Norwegian Star Basketball Player to Fully Recover from Patella ... - February 22nd, 2012 [February 22nd, 2012]
- The Lancet Publishes Results from Gentium's Phase III Defibrotide Trial for the Prevention of VOD in Paediatric Patients - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- Bioheart Issues Shareholder Letter Announcing Progress and New Initiatives - March 1st, 2012 [March 1st, 2012]
- Bioheart Issues Shareholder Letter Announcing Progress - March 1st, 2012 [March 1st, 2012]
- Novelos Therapeutics and Academic Collaborators Have Three Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at 2012 AACR Annual ... - March 1st, 2012 [March 1st, 2012]
- Marshall Edwards Submits Investigational New Drug Application for Oncology Drug Candidate ME-344 - March 6th, 2012 [March 6th, 2012]
- Will StemCells Walk The Talk? - March 7th, 2012 [March 7th, 2012]
- Internationally Recognized Leukemia Physician and Researcher to Lead Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center - March 7th, 2012 [March 7th, 2012]
- Criminal investigation after patient dies at office of doctor linked to stem cell - March 9th, 2012 [March 9th, 2012]
- Novelos Therapeutics Announces Enrollment of First Patient in Brain Cancer Trial with I-124-CLR1404 (LIGHT) Cancer ... - March 15th, 2012 [March 15th, 2012]
- Vitro Biopharma Receives Approval for Presentation to the International Society for Cellular Therapy - March 20th, 2012 [March 20th, 2012]
- Looking for Innovative Small-Cap Biotech Companies: George Zavoico - March 26th, 2012 [March 26th, 2012]
- Seattle Genetics Announces Pivotal ADCETRIS™ (Brentuximab Vedotin) Hodgkin Lymphoma Study Published in Journal of ... - March 27th, 2012 [March 27th, 2012]
- Gentium Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2011 Financial Results - March 28th, 2012 [March 28th, 2012]
- Basketball’s influence on stem cell treatments in sports medicine - March 30th, 2012 [March 30th, 2012]
- Cardium Announces U.S. Market Introduction of Excellagen™ - March 31st, 2012 [March 31st, 2012]
- Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Announces Presentation at ECCMID of Post-Hoc Subgroup Analysis of DIFICID in Adult ... - March 31st, 2012 [March 31st, 2012]
- New Data Demonstrates DIFICLIR™ May Offer Benefits for Cancer Patients, who are at High Risk of Clostridium Difficile ... - April 1st, 2012 [April 1st, 2012]
- SynGen Inc. Receives $5 million Equity Investment from Bay City Capital, LLC - April 19th, 2012 [April 19th, 2012]
- Gene Ray, Founder of $2.6 Billion Titan Corp, Invests in Medistem's ERC Technology and Joins Advisory Board - April 26th, 2012 [April 26th, 2012]