The neurosurgeon Dr. Vaquero takes another step

A couple of years published an article on the research of neurosurgeon Dr. Vaquero on treatments for spinal cord injuries. Now we know how the investigations are today and spoke with the eminent doctor.

At what point in the investigation is?

The clinical research program of cell therapy in patients with spinal cord injury began in the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda in March 2013 and have now been treated and 12 patients with complete spinal cord injury and chronically established, through the first clinical trial of this nature adopted in Spain by the Spanish Agency of Medicines. The results of this first trial will be announced later this year, when all patients have completed the set-up time in the study protocol. A second clinical trial, It aimed at patients with incomplete spinal cord injury is currently in progress and results will be made public late next year.

What is work or technical?

It involves the application of a cell therapy medicinal, manufactured in Cell Production Room Service Neurosurgery Hospital Puerta de Hierro, and whose active component are stem cells from the patient's own bone marrow. Cells are implanted in the injured spinal cord of patients, by a complex surgical procedure and with a technique adapted to the characteristics of different lesions of patients.

How financed research?

To set up this program, the Puerta de Hierro Hospital received ago 3 years a grant from the Association of SCI APINME, enabling install the necessary room Cell Production for cell cultures. This room is the first of our country designed specifically for cell therapy treatments for neurological and has a leading technology in this field. The first two studies in patients have been conducted through grants from government agencies, specifically the Ministry of Health, and we are already preparing a third trial funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, through the Health Research Fund. A program of this type, however, It is extraordinarily expensive, by the high costs of maintaining the Living Cell Production, recruitment, cleaning costs, validating devices, etc., making it necessary to resort to additional subsidies, which for now are being achieved through various foundations, as the Foundation Rafael del Pino, Mapfre Foundation, Foundation SERMs, etc., working with this project, Nonprofit. Undoubtedly, the maintenance of this program is difficult, in the current state of economic and because of these technical difficulties are still undergoing clinical investigation, and therefore, not covered by health care resources of our hospitals. Our immediate goal, therefore, is the consolidation of these treatments, showing a clear improvement in the quality of life of patients, and can be incorporated as soon as possible, the portfolio of our Public Health.

On the other hand, This high-impact social health program for innovation and its application to patients with severe neurological disability is a fallout after spinal cord injury acquired.

It is based on more than 20 years of research entirely in Spain, and has allowed the development of the first human cell therapy registered in our country, Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products(Competent Authority), indicating therapeutic "for traumatic injuries of the spinal cord".

The research is very expensive and to try to achieve those revenues needed for association studies proinvestigación for the repair of spinal cord injury was created (APINME) and their website is www.apinme.org.

You can say that you can be optimistic and hopeful.

By Jorge Moreno. Source: http://www.elpollourbano.es/sin-barreras/2015/02/el-neurocirujano-doctor-vaquero-da-un-paso-mas-en-la-recuperacion-de-lesionados-medulares-un-importantisimo-avance-medico/

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