Human clinical trials could begin as early as next year
A team of researchers at the University of Georgia’s Regenerative Bioscience Center and ArunA Biomedical, a UGA startup company, have developed a new treatment for stroke that reduces brain damage and accelerates the brain’s natural healing tendencies in animal models. They published their findings in the journal Translational Stroke Research.
The research team led by UGA professor Steven Stice and Nasrul Hoda of Augusta University created a treatment called AB126 using extracellular vesicles (EV), fluid-filled structures known as exosomes, which are generated from human neural stem cells.
Fully able to cloak itself within the bloodstream, this type of regenerative EV therapy appears to be the most promising in overcoming the limitations of many cell therapies—with the ability for exosomes to carry and deliver multiple doses—as well as the ability to store and administer treatment. Small in size, the tiny tubular shape of an exosome allows EV therapy to cross barriers that cells cannot.
“This is truly exciting evidence, because exosomes provide a stealth-like characteristic, invisible even to the body’s own defenses,” said Stice, Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar and D.W. Brooks Distinguished Professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “When packaged with therapeutics, these treatments can actually change cell progression and improve functional recovery.”
Following the administration of AB126, the researchers used MRI scans to measure brain atrophy rates in preclinical, age-matched stroke models, which showed an approximately 35 percent decrease in the size of injury and 50 percent reduction in brain tissue loss—something not observed acutely in previous studies of exosome treatment for stroke.
Outside of rodents, the results were replicated by Franklin West, associate professor of animal and dairy science, and fellow RBC members using a porcine model of stroke—the only one of its kind in the U.S.
Based on these pre-clinical results, ArunA Biomedical plans to begin human studies in 2019, said Stice, who is also chief scientific officer of ArunA Biomedical.
“Until now, we had very little evidence specific to neural exosome treatment and the ability to improve motor function,” said Stice. “Just days after stroke, we saw better mobility, improved balance and measurable behavioral benefits in treated animal models.”
Named as part of the ‘stroke belt’ region, Georgia continues to exceed the national average in stroke deaths, which is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 140,000 Americans dying each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
ArunA recently unveiled advances to the company’s proprietary neural cell platform for the production of exosome manufacturing. Today, ArunA’s manufacturing process positions the company to produce AB126 exosomes at a scale to meet early clinical demand. The company has plans to expand this initiative beyond stroke for preclinical studies in epilepsy, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries later this year.
Learn more: Stem-cell based stroke treatment repairs brain tissue
The Latest on: Stroke treatment
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Stroke treatment” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Stroke treatment
- Teen saves mother’s life after noticing stroke symptoms, credits EMT trainingon May 9, 2024 at 10:01 am
Noticing the left side deficit, Jackson Mandernach said he told his dad he believed his mom was having a stroke and called 911. Paramedics responded within minutes, he said. Ann Mandernach was ...
- Mercy Health introduces online stroke risk assessmenton May 9, 2024 at 7:10 am
Mercy Health – Springfield has launched an online stroke risk assessment tool for Stroke Awareness Month, allowing people to better understand their risk of stroke.
- What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke?on May 9, 2024 at 2:30 am
Other stroke symptoms to look out for include numbness or weakness in the face, arms, legs, or one side of the body. Plus confusion, trouble seeing or walking and severe headache. The good news is ...
- Understanding Stroke Symptoms and the Need for Immediate Treatmenton May 8, 2024 at 6:39 pm
With May being National Stroke Awareness Month, it’s important to know the signs and causes of stroke that affect more than 795,000 people in the United States every year, resulting ...
- Thrombectomy Led to Fewer Deaths in Patients With Acute Stroke and a Large Infarcton May 8, 2024 at 2:03 pm
In patients with acute stroke and a large infarct of unrestricted size, thrombectomy and medical care led to better functional outcomes and lower mortality compared with medical care alone, the ...
- L+M’s advanced primary stroke center certification renewedon May 8, 2024 at 8:56 am
New London ― Lawrence + Memorial Hospital has been re-certified by The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, as an advanced primary ...
- A Memorial Healthcare brain doctor survived a stroke. Here’s how to know if it could happen to youon May 8, 2024 at 6:38 am
A stroke doctor at Memorial Healthcare System encourages stroke awareness after suffering a stroke and recovering; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center pioneers a new treatment for melanoma; ...
- Ask a Specialist: stroke treatmenton May 6, 2024 at 1:27 pm
May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time to highlight the signs and symptoms of a possible stroke, as well as talk about the importance of getting help immediately. Learn more with Angel Echols, APRN, at ...
- 5 ways women can lower their stroke risk — including one to do before going outsideon May 6, 2024 at 11:19 am
“Participating in physical activities like yoga, tai chi and strength training, while also giving importance to mindfulness techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, could provide ...
- A discussion on the signs of stroke and the health care of diabeteson May 6, 2024 at 11:11 am
Host Dr. Joe Sirven and guests identify signs and symptoms of stroke, stroke treatment and lifestyle factors that contribute to the risk of a brain attack.
via Bing News