New breakthrough using neural stem cells combined with Edaravone (Radicut) in the treatment of ALS.
ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a kind of irreversible deadly motor neuron disease. The patient's normal motor neurons will decrease continuously once they get ALS and their movement function will reduce quickly. Past research shows ALS patients can only survive 3-5 years. Until now there has been no cure or very effective treatment method. Even Riluzole, which had been approved by FDA as the only effective medicine that can be used, can only prolong the ALS patient's life by around 3 months and cannot help the patient get any improvement in the body function disturbance.
In the past few years doctors in Wu Medical Center started to use cell replacement technology with neural stem cells to treat the ALS patients. The treatment can improve the normal healthy motor neurons level and at the same time they combined it with Edaravone (Radicut). This is a kind of free radical scavenger which improves ALS patient's internal body environment. It helps to protect the patient’s autologous motor neurons and can also help the work of the new motor neurons differentiated from the implanted neural stem cells. The clinical control study showed the treatment effect of a combination of neural stem cells and Edaravone (Radicut) was much better than single use of Edaravone or Riluzole. The results were inspiring. Most patient’s movement ability improved and there was no more decline post treatment. The treatment helped patients reverse the progress of the disease and clearly helped to prolong their life and improve life quality. The new treatment method provided ALS patients with a new chance.