Cell Transplantation

The first trial of neuronal stem cells for human use

In November 2006, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital made history when they completed the first stem cell transplant into the human brain. They were are proud to lead the advancement of medical technology with the potential to help children afflicted with debilitating and fatal diseases.

Opening doors to new treatments

Led by Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., surgeons performed the first transplant of purified human neural stem cells into the brain of a 6-year-old boy suffering from neuronal ceroid lipfuscinosis (NCL), often referred to as Batten disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that affects infants and children. The operation was part of a year-long Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of this treatment.

Pioneering surgeons

The clinical trial was led by Robert Steiner, M.D., vice chairman of Pediatric Research at Doernbecher, and Nathan Selden, M.D., Ph.D., head of the Division of Pediatric Neurological Surgery. Six patients were enrolled in the study, which monitored standardized measures of development, cognition, behavior and language for one year following transplantation. Study results will be published in 2009.

An eye towards the future

With approximately 2,000 scientists and more than 4,100 research projects, Oregon Health & Science University averages one new invention disclosure every three days. Through strategic partnerships with industry and the business community, OHSU is bringing these advances to health care, improving the quality of people’s lives across Oregon and beyond. Stem cell research is one vital area we continue to explore in our on-going effort to provide the most advanced health care for patients.

 

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