A paralyzed man in Japan has regained the ability to stand and is now relearning how to walk after receiving a pioneering stem cell treatment for spinal cord injuries. The procedure, developed by researchers at Keio University in Tokyo, marks a major breakthrough in regenerative medicine. It involved the use of neural stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), which can be reprogrammed from adult cells to form various types of human tissue.
According to reports, the patient was one of four men who had suffered complete paralysis following spinal cord injuries. After a single injection of lab-grown stem cells into his spinal cord, the man showed significant improvement, managing to stand independently and begin rehabilitation to walk again. The therapy was well tolerated by all participants, showing no serious side effects.
This is the first time such a level of recovery has been observed in humans using stem cell therapy for spinal cord injuries. Researchers emphasized that while the early results are highly encouraging, larger clinical trials are necessary to validate the treatment’s safety, consistency, and long-term outcomes.
If future studies confirm these findings, this stem cell approach could revolutionize the treatment of paralysis, offering new hope for patients who have lost mobility due to spinal damage. The breakthrough highlights Japan’s growing leadership in stem cell research and the global potential of regenerative medicine to restore function and independence to millions living with spinal cord injuries.
