A new stem cell therapy may reverse spinal cord injury. A man who was paralyzed can now stand after getting the injection.
And he doesn’t need any assistance.
In a landmark move, Japanese scientists have received regulatory approval to use reprogrammed stem cells to treat spinal-cord injuries in humans for the first time.
Led by stem-cell expert Hideyuki Okano at Keio University, the trial will utilize induced pluripotent stem IPS cells—adult cells genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state.
These cells will be transformed into neural precursors and injected into patients shortly after injury, with the aim of regenerating damaged nerve tissues.
The procedure, which previously showed promise in restoring movement in spinal-injured monkeys, will initially be tested on four human patients to evaluate safety and potential effectiveness. If successful, it could pave the way for broader clinical trials. While iPS cells have been used in treating conditions like macular degeneration and Parkinson’s disease, this marks their debut in addressing paralysis from spinal injuries—offering new hope where few treatments currently exist.
Source https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00863-0