Geron trial

Stem cells were in the news again. Geron will be hoping that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) will allow an expansion of the clinical trial using their human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells to include patients with cervical injuries. Previously, the FDA had given the go-ahead for recruitment of thoracic patients only as there was insufficient supporting data for efficacy in cervical injuries at the time. However, this week sees a paper published in the journal Stem Cells by Hans Keirstead’s group (University of California) who developed the original Geron stem cell line which might help change their mind.