By Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD – Inside Precision Medicine –
BlueRock Therapeutics and Kyoto University showed transplants of lab-grown dopamine neurons are safe, with potential to advance Parkinson’s treatment
Two independent teams of researchers have published clinical trial results in Nature, showcasing the safety and promise of lab-grown dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells for tackling Parkinson’s disease. By focusing on replacing the neurons lost to Parkinson’s, these therapies offer a glimpse into a future where the disease’s progression could be slowed—or even reversed.
In the studies, one conducted by BlueRock Therapeutics and the other by Kyoto University Hospital, patients received transplants of dopamine-producing nerve cells made from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) directly into their brains. Both trials reported no major safety concerns, with evidence that the cells survived, integrated, and produced dopamine. These results not only showcase the potential of the therapies but also signal a significant advancement in the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
