Umbilical cord stem cells repair woman’s spine

A SOUTH Korean woman paralysed for 20 years is walking again after scientists say they repaired her damaged spine using stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.

Hwang Mi-Soon, 37, had been bedridden since damaging her back in an accident two decades ago.

Last week her eyes glistened with tears as she walked again with the help of a walking frame at a press conference where South Korea researchers went public for the first time with the results of their stem-cell therapy.

They said it was the world’s first published case in which a patient with spinal cord injuries had been successfully treated with stem cells from umbilical cord blood.

Though they cautioned that more research was needed and verification from international experts was required, the South Korean researchers said Hwang’s case could signal a leap forward in the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

The use of stem cells from cord blood could also point to a way to side-step the ethical dispute over the controversial use of embryos in embryonic stem-cell research.

“We were all surprised at the fast improvements in the patient,” said Song Chang-Hoon, a member of the research team and a professor at Chosun University’s medical school in the southwestern city of Kwangju.

Under TV lights and flashing cameras, Hwang stood up from her wheelchair and shuffled forward and back a few paces with the help of the frame at the press conference in Seoul on Thursday.

Medical research has shown stem cells can develop into replacement cells for damaged organs or body parts.

Unlocking that potential could see cures for diseases that are at present incurable, or even see the body generate new organs to replace damaged or failing ones.

So-called “multipotent” stem cells - those found in cord blood - are capable of forming a limited number of specialised cell types, unlike the more versatile “undifferentiated” cells that are derived from embryos.

However, these stem cells isolated from umbilical cord blood have emerged as an ethical and safe alternative to embryonic stem cells.

Clinical trials with embryonic stem cells are believed to be years away because of the risks and ethical problems involved in the production of embryos - regarded as living humans by some people - for scientific use.

In contrast, there is no ethical dimension when stem cells from umbilical cord blood are obtained.

Additionally, umbilical cord blood stem cells trigger little immune response in the recipient as embryonic stem cells have a tendency to form tumours when injected into animals or human beings.

Meanwhile, Swiss voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a new law permitting research on stem cells, rejecting a repeal initiative by an alliance of conservative Christian, left-wing and green groups.

The law, passed by the Swiss government last December, still sets stricter limits than in some places in Europe, allowing the use only of embryonic stem cells left over from in-vitro fertilisation.