UAE scientists hold hope of finding MS cure as patient walks again after treatment
The Centre is testing a procedure to treat people with multiple sclerosis, called ECP.
White blood cells are drawn from a patient's body, then treated with a special drug that reacts to light, before finally being reinfused back into the person.
This therapy is designed to stop a type of white blood cell from attacking a patient's body from within.
Patients can register to participate in the clinical trials, if they are considered medically eligible.
The ADSCC has also participated in international trials involving injecting stem cells into the brain, with 15 patients participating so far.
It is the only medical centre in the region performing bone marrow stem cell transplants to treat MS patients.
"For the past 10 years, name a medication that has stopped progressive multiple sclerosis," Dr Al Kaabi said.
"What comes onto the market are other forms of the same medication, so why don't we explore new boundaries and see how we can regenerate organs and use neural stem cells?"
Remarkable improvement
Since the launch of the programme in 2022, four patients with progressive MS have undergone stem cell transplants to treat their symptoms.
All of the patients have shown remarkable improvement, the ADSCC said.
One, who had been confined to a wheelchair, regained the ability to walk without support after the procedure.
This is a procedure that the ADSCC has modified not only to be more accessible, but also less harsh on the body in some cases by using less toxic medications compared to chemotherapy.
Prof Yendry Ventura, research scientist and chief executive of the centre, said the new trials include efforts to regenerate damaged organs.
"We are fighting two battles, where we want to stop the cause of the disease and regenerate the damaged organ. For that, you need different approaches," he said.
"We are not only trying to treat but also trying to cure. This could be the answer to degenerative conditions where the brain is damaged."
If successful, it would be a breakthrough not only for the treatment of MS but also for other diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS. Timeframe
There is no timeline for when a cure may be possible, but that hasn't weakened the ADSCC team's resolve.
"What we can promise is that we are looking at as many potential options, areas, and disciplines that we can use for the benefit of the patient," Prof Ventura said.
"It is not easy, and we need to understand that these are not simple diseases but complex ones that have been affecting the world for a long time. But Abu Dhabi and specifically the ADSCC are paving the right path for a cure that is not only effective but also accessible to all.
He hopes to see a revolution not only for MS but also in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine in the next five years.
"There are a lot of scientists, health facilities, including us, working heavily in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine," Prof Ventura added.
"I expect a lot of medical breakthroughs in the next few years."
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/...ter-treatment/
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