Clinical trials of spinal injury repair drugs planned for humans

DRUGS with the potential to help people with spinal injuries regain use of their limbs could soon be tested on human patients.

The two antibodies block the action of a protein called Nogo that stops severed nerves sprouting new connections.

In experiments they have already helped rats with damaged spinal cords to walk again.

The antibodies triggered regeneration of the thread-like extensions called axons that connect neurons. After treatment, the rats were able to swim, cross the rungs of a ladder without slipping, and walk along a narrow beam.

Earlier there had been fears that the drugs might spark off uncontrolled re-wiring of nerves, but that does not appear to have happened. The ground-breaking work is being conducted by researchers led by Dr Martin Schwab from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. They are now developing antibodies suitable for humans in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Novartis, New Scientist magazine reported yesterday.

Clinical trials lasting two to three years are planned in the near future.

Commenting on the research, neurologist Dr Robin Franklin, from Cambridge University, said: “There is sufficient experimental evidence to view these trials with some optimism.”

But blocking Nogo alone may not be enough for a complete recovery. It is more likely to be part of a combined approach.

“What we still need is a bridge that links the lesioned nerve to the rest of the spinal cord,” said Dr Lisa Schnell, a member of the Swiss team. To this end another group led by Professor Geoffrey Raisman at University College London is working on supplying the necessary stimulants for nerve regrowth.