iPS細胞さいぼう脊髄せきずい損傷そんしょうの臨床りんしょう研究けんきゅう改善かいぜん報告ほうこくの患者かんじゃが決断けつだんの心境しんきょう語かたる

In March of this year, one of the patients reported as the worlds first case to show symptom improvement in a clinical study on spinal cord injuries using iPS cells—a study conducted by a group including Keio University—spoke to the media for the first time and shared their feelings at the time they decided to participate in the research.

Regarding iPS cells, there have been a series of developments this year, such as announcements of research results aimed at putting treatments into practical use.

Of these, a group including Keio University conducted a clinical study in which neural precursor cells derived from iPS cells were transplanted into four patients who had lost mobility due to spinal cord injuries from accidents, and their motor functions were evaluated. They reported this March that greater improvement was observed compared to patients with the same severity who only underwent rehabilitation.

The group says this is the world’s first case in which improvement of symptoms has been observed in clinical research on spinal cord injuries using iPS cells, and this time, for the first time, a patient who received a transplant two years ago agreed to be interviewed.

This male patient showed the most improvement among the four, and by having utensils like a spoon fixed to his hand, he became able to feed himself. He also became able to support his own weight and has begun practicing walking.

The man said, Since this surgery is unprecedented in the world, I couldnt decide right away whether to undergo it.

90% was anxiety, 10% was expectation, but I decided to take a chance on the possibilities.

When my legs moved for the first time, I was so happy that I told my wife right away.

Rehabilitation is tough and Im struggling with pain and numbness, but with the encouragement of those around me, Im doing my best.

I hope that, including this case, research into various treatments will continue to expand, they said.

Professor Masaya Nakamura of Keio University said, It has long been believed that once the central nervous system is damaged, it does not regenerate.

I feel confident about the research, and I would like to accumulate more cases in the future to get closer to confirmation, they said.

The research group plans to conduct clinical trials aiming for government approval in the future.