A team of scientists at the CIRA (Centre for IPS cells Research and Application) at the University of Kyoto in Japan has announced that the launch of the clinical trial on potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease is being delayed on safety grounds (Cf. Gènéthique du 17 mars 2014). The trial will not go ahead before next year.
If this treatment were to be approved, it would be the first in the world to use IPS cells to treat neuro-degenerative disease. The team of scientists plan to create IPS cells from the patient’s blood cells and develop them into neurones before subsequently transplanting them into the patient’s brain to fight the disease[1].
Professor Takahashi who helped develop this project is also behind a clinical trial based on IPS cells intended to treat Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)(Cf. Gènéthique du 03 aout 2015).
[1]Parkinson’s disease reduces neurones in the brain and causes tremor in the hands and feet as well as body stiffness.
The Japan Times (11/11/2015)