In a groundbreaking medical development, the first-ever human spinal cord repair using a patient’s own cells is expected to take place soon in Israel.
This innovative procedure, which involves implanting a personalized, engineered human spinal cord, aims to enable a paralyzed patient to walk again.
The technology was developed at Tel Aviv University and the biotech company Matricelf by a team led by Professor Tal Dvir.
After successful trials in animals, Israel’s Ministry of Health has given preliminary approval for “compassionate use” trials in eight patients.
The first patient to undergo this procedure will be an Israeli, a point of national pride for the researchers who developed the technology in their home country.
The Science Behind the Breakthrough
The process begins with engineering a personalized, three-dimensional human spinal cord in a laboratory.
This technology was first demonstrated about three years ago when Professor Dvir’s lab successfully treated mice with chronic paralysis.
The mice that received the engineered implants were able to walk again, a success that propelled the technology into commercial development at Matricelf.
The new technology aims to create a spinal cord that functions just like a natural one. During the procedure, surgeons will remove the scar tissue from the injured area of the spinal cord and implant the engineered tissue.
The goal is for the new tissue to fuse with the healthy parts of the spinal cord above and below the injury, restoring function.
The results in animal models have been very promising, with rats regaining the ability to walk normally after receiving the implants.
A Potential New Standard of Care
If this therapy is successful in humans, it could revolutionize the treatment of spinal cord injuries, a field that currently has no effective long-term solutions.
This first procedure is not just a scientific breakthrough; it represents a significant step forward for Matricelf and a beacon of hope for an area of medicine long considered untreatable.
You can read the full press release on EurekAlert! here
