AANS Beyond 2021: Full Collection-Stem Cell Therapy

Video Transcription
Video Summary
In this video, Dr. Gary Steinberg from Stanford University discusses stem cell therapy for stroke. He explains that stem cell therapy has been studied in the laboratory for the past 20 years and shows promising results. The transplantation of human fetal neural cells into rats with stroke resulted in targeted migration of the cells to the stroke area. The cells express chemokine receptors that interact with chemokines produced by the stroke environment, leading to recovery.<br /><br />Dr. Steinberg emphasizes that the cells do not differentiate into brain cell types but secrete trophic factors that enhance native mechanisms of recovery, such as axonal sprouting and angiogenesis. He presents several studies, including clinical trials, that have used various stem cell sources and routes of administration in patients with stroke. The results show safety, feasibility, and some neurologic benefit. He also discusses the importance of timing and the optimal route of stem cell delivery.<br /><br />Dr. Steinberg presents the results of his own study in which adult bone marrow-derived stromal stem cells were transplanted directly into the brain of chronic stroke patients. The study showed significant neurologic improvement at 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation. He also discusses the mechanism of recovery and the correlation between the transient flare lesion in the premotor cortex and the extent of neurologic recovery.<br /><br />Dr. Steinberg concludes by highlighting the unresolved issues in stem cell therapy for stroke, such as the best cell source, cell dosage, timing, and route of delivery. He advises caution and discourages patients from seeking unregulated stem cell therapies. He mentions ongoing clinical trials and his own upcoming phase 1-2A trial using embryonic-derived neural stem cells. He believes that stem cell transplantation therapy for stroke holds enormous promise, but more research is needed to address the remaining challenges.
Keywords
stem cell therapy
stroke
Gary Steinberg
Stanford University
neural cells
clinical trials
recovery mechanisms