Stem cell trial to begin for children suffering from cerebral palsy

Nov. 26, 2014, 3:13 a.m.

It is hoped that a trial due to start next year, and involving about 20 Australian children with cerebral palsy, will show the benefits of using stem cells from their own umbilical cord blood to treat the condition.

About 20 Australian children with cerebral palsy will be infused with their own umbilical cord blood in a trial due to start next year, as physicians warn families against travelling overseas for experimental stem cell treatments.

The long-awaited Australian trial will provide some of the world's first evidence about the safety and effectiveness of using stem cells from umbilical cord blood to repair brain injury that leads to cerebral palsy.

Researchers are waiting on ethics approval for the trial which will provide treatment to families who have chosen to store their child's cord blood at private banks.

In some cases, children with cerebral palsy will be able to receive a sibling's cord blood if this is available.

Cerebral Palsy Alliance head of research Iona Novak said the study, led by the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, will recruit children from around Australia who have access to privately banked cord blood.

Children aged one to 10 will receive infusions at private blood banks in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, and will be assessed before and after the treatment to check for improvements.

Researchers will be unable to access cord blood from a public bank, which collects blood to treat blood disorders such as leukaemia and cannot be used for untested new therapies.

Associate Professor Novak said the trial was an important first step towards establishing whether stem cells could help repair the brain injury that leads to cerebral palsy, a series of disabilities associated with movement and posture.

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Stem cell trial to begin for children suffering from cerebral palsy