Spinal injuries, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. State of the art of research on treatments
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The state of the art of research on the treatment of spinal injuries, neurological diseases and neurodegenerative diseases was presented on 2.12.19, at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Health.
The - chaired by the general manager dr. Massimo Casciello - was organized by prof. Francesco Sicurello (CNR, president of the Italian association of Telemedicina Informatica Medica) together with Neurospine community, International Institute of Telemedicine, Disability Pride Italy and Circle Habilitation Concept. Below is a brief summary of the most interesting presentations.
Brain stem cells
The professor. Angelo Luigi Vescovi has dedicated a quarter of a century of its research and experimentation to brain stem cells. Going to show how their transplant can represent a potentially effective therapy in the treatment of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
The withdrawal and the isolation of brain stem cells have always been carried out in full compliance with the basic principles of bioethics. The cells - taken from fetuses following spontaneous abortions and maternal authorizations - are isolated and subjected to treatments that allow them to multiply, basically indefinitely. (1) Obtaining clinical grade biological material, to be used for neuro-generative medicine.
Stem cells neural are so versatile that they can adapt to the microenvironments where they are introduced and fulfill, in a subsidiary way, the functions of the cells that do not function in the sick subject. In 2012, the first human transplants were carried out, by infusing stem cells into the marrow of 18 patients with ALS. Phase I confirmed the feasibility and safety of the treatment. In 2017, testing was then started on 15 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
Neuroprosthesis
The dr. Fabrizio Gelain coordinates a research on spinal cord injuries that combines the use of peptide nanomaterials (SAP) with neural stem cells developed by Professor Vescovi. A new three-dimensional nervous tissue was thus obtained in the laboratory, composed of mature human neurons and functionally active support cells. Real 'nerve implants', or neuroprostheses.
The neuroprostheses, matured in the laboratory and subsequently transplanted into spinal cord injuries, have already been tested on animals with excellent results. Achieving the regeneration of medullary tissue and the recovery of motor functions. Synthetic biomaterials are composed of 99% water and biocompatible, therefore they can be used in a clinical setting. Their applicability on myelolysis patients is very close.
Reconstruction of biological tissues
The reconstruction of biological tissues through the use of self-assembling peptides (SAP) - used in the joint project of prof. Vescovi and dr. Gelain, thanks to the collaboration between IRCCS Casa Sollievo and Revert Onlus - represents the vanguard of international nanomedicine. Thanks to the unique and distinctive characteristics of biocompatibility, purity and versatility.
The design of these materials at the molecular level allows to obtain complex nerve cell structures, based on human neural stem cells and endowed with electrical activity. With the further perspective of designing fabrics in relation to the treatment needs of various pathologies. Also for the purpose of reconstructing infarcted skin, cartilage and cardiac tissues. Avoiding the use of animal derivatives in the clinic.
3D cell cultures
Tissue engineering has the primary clinical goal of restoring the lost functions of organs or tissues as a result of trauma or pathologies. Using biomaterials - possibly enriched with cells - that are well tolerated. And provide, once implanted, a microenvironment conducive to the regeneration of the existing tissue prior to injury.
3D cell cultures they also allow the creation of models of network mobile phones, patch nervous systems useful in predicting the effect that drugs and other materials can produce in the human organism. Refining these models allows to improve the understanding of mechanisms related to developmental biology and cellular biology in general. In addition to significantly decreasing animal testing.
Feeding research
The searches described above offer concrete hopes for the healing of myelic lesions, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. With further perspectives of absolute importance in cardiovascular, orthopedic and oncological surgery. Their impact can be extraordinary, on the quality of life of patients and their families but also on the community and public spending on health and social services.
The Italian state it must allocate adequate resources to support the full development of such research, and the programming of additional resources to enable the scalability of the trials. Taking into account that the injuries, only in Italy, are estimated in over 100 thousand cases. The private sector can in turn direct its fully deductible donations to these phenomenal projects. (2)
Dario Dongo
Note
(1) The multiplication of human brain stem cells, available for study and possible transplants, follows a geometric progression and is virtually unlimited. Neural stem cells are made in the GMP regime (Good Manufacturing Practices), according to Italian and European rules, at the Stem Cells Laboratory, Cell Factory and Biobank of Terni
(2) Prof. Angelo Luigi Vescovi, dr. Fabrizio Gelain, IRCCS House for Relief of Suffering in San Giovanni Rotondo. More information on the website https://revertonlus.org
Donations fully deductible can be addressed to the Revert Onlus Association, Via Borgonuovo 7, 20121 Milan (CF 04474300961). IBAN IT31R0200801639000102888946. [email protected]
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
