Physicians study human stem cell use as possible treatment for ischemic stroke

News-Medical: Published on March 7, 2012 at 4:28 AM.

Physicians at the Methodist Neurological Institute are studying the use of human stem cells as a possible treatment for acute ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death and disability. Each year, stroke affects more than 15 million people around the world.

Patients whose ischemic strokes occur within one to two days of being admitted to The Methodist Hospital in Houston may be eligible to enroll in the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 safety and efficacy trial of MultiStem®, a novel therapy being developed by Athersys, Inc.

“The thrombolytic tPA is still the only FDA-approved treatment for the majority of stroke cases, but unfortunately, we only have a three hour window of opportunity with this drug,” said Dr. David Chiu, medical director of the Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center at Methodist and the study site’s principal investigator. “By offering our acute stroke patients a broader timeframe for treatment, we hope to have the chance to effectively help many more patients.” Read More