title: Updates on Therapeutics in Clinical Trials for Spinal Cord Injuries: Key Translational Applications of Human Embryonic Stem Cells-Derived Neural Progenitors.
abstract: Injuries to the spinal cord often have devastating physiological impacts due to the organ's vital role in neuro-impulse communications between muscles and the brain. Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) have recently been estimated to affect up to 80,000 individuals per year worldwide, with most occurring following a traumatic event. Unfortunately, effective treatments standardised globally for patients with SCIs have not yet been established. For many years, inadequate understanding of the complexities of the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems and Neurogenesis has limited progression towards effective cures. However, in the last century, scientific advancements have generated new paradigms for medical treatments of SCIs. Basic as well as translational studies have progressed to such an extent that many kinds of protective and regenerative therapeutics are available in clinical trials. In particular, uncovering the mechanisms responsible for controlling the pluripotent state of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) was proved vital for recognizing the prospective role in regenerative medicine for SCIs. Elucidating knowledge of neurogenesis alongside hESCs in relation to SCIs has been crucial for critical assessments of the existing translational therapeutic strategies for SCIs.
authors.forename: Habiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeb
authors.forename: Ishaq Nasib
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Iqbal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Munir
authors.forename: Wafaa Saadeldin
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: Mian Afaq
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Deema
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: Mohammad Amjad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80216, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. skarim@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Saleh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Karim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D000066449:Human Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical