FDA approves next step in stem cell trial directed by Taubman Institute’s Dr. Eva Feldman
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the next phase of a clinical trial of stem cell therapy for ALS patients being conducted by Eva Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., director of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute.
In the trial’s first phase, Feldman and her collaborators injected stem cells into the lumbar area of spinal cords of 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). There have been no adverse side effects related to the procedure.
Going forward, the FDA has approved administering the injections into the cervical region of patients’ spines.
“We have been very encouraged by the early transplantations,” said Eva Feldman, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator of the trial and an unpaid consultant to Neuralstem “Cervical injections are essential, because therapy in this region is key to helping patients with their breathing. The deterioration of these functions most dramatically affect the patients’ quality of life and ultimately their life expectancy.”
Dr. Feldman is the Director of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute and Director of Research of the ALS Clinic at the University of Michigan Health System.
The Phase I trial to assess the safety of Neuralstem's spinal cord neural stem cells and intraspinal transplantation method in ALS patients has been underway since January 2010. The procedures are taking place at Emory University.
Data recently presented to the FDA on the first 12 patients showed that eight out of ten living subjects in the trial had lower extremity function scores that remained the same or improved after treatment. Two out of ten showed continued decline of lower extremity function.
The trial will now progress to cervical spine injections. The first three of these will receive unilateral injections in the cervical region of the spine. The next three will receive bilateral injections in the cervical region.
For additional information, see the Neuralstem press release.
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Taubman Emerging Scholars Program
Request for applications
Applications are being accepted for the Taubman Institute Emerging Scholars Program.
The applicant must be a junior member of the faculty at the University of Michigan; generally, that means holding an assistant professor title. The applicant must have either an M.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. It is required that candidates both conduct basic research and treat patients.
Applicants should submit a two-to-three page research proposal, as well as a current CV. Priority will be given to proposals involving translational research. Please submit material to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The deadline is May 7, 2012.
Young Friends host festive NYC fundraiser
Reception introduced scholar candidate Dr. Parag Patil
About 125 supporters of cutting-edge medical research mixed socializing and science May 9 at a cocktail party in Manhattan hosted by the Young Friends of the Taubman Institute's New York City chapter.
The event introduced Dr. Parag Patil, a University of Michigan physician-researcher and a prospective Young Friends Emerging Scholar. Here's a clip from Dr. Patil's appearance on the TV program "The Doctors," where he demonstrates how deep-brain stimulation has helped a patient with Parkinson's disease.
Emerging Scholars are early-career clinician-scientists who show great promise in research aimed at new cures or treatments; through the Taubman Institute, donors support them with three-year grants while their labs earn the credentials to win broader funding support.
The Young Friends event, which raised a significant contribution toward the Emerging Scholars program, was held at the ABC Carpet & Home showrooms at 888 Broadway, Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction and a presentation by Dr. Patil. The silent auction included jewelry, fashion items, a Botox consultation and treatment, Morgan Hotel Group rooms and the opportunity to bid on a meeting and photo with former President William Jefferson Clinton.
Taubman Research
Dr. Max Wicha: Some treatments actually increase cancer stem cells
Avastin and Sutent have been found to increase the growth of breast cancer stem cells in mice, according to Taubman Scholar Dr. Max Wicha, director of the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center.
