title: Advances in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury.
abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition producing great personal and societal costs and for which there is no effective treatment. Stem cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy, though much preclinical and clinical research work remains. Here, we briefly describe SCI epidemiology, pathophysiology, and experimental and clinical stem cell strategies. Research in stem cell biology and cell reprogramming is rapidly advancing, with the hope of moving stem cell therapy closer to helping people with SCI. We examine issues important for clinical translation and provide a commentary on recent developments, including termination of the first human embryonic stem cell transplantation trial in human SCI.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Western Research Institute and Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mothe
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tator
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research; D054337:Cell Dedifferentiation; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation