Nature often hides surprising solutions in the most unexpected places. This time, the answer to one of the most complex medical problems may be right under our noses. Literally. A new clinical trial is about to test the use of nose stem cells to create “nerve bridges” capable of repairing spinal injuries. It's an approach that almost sounds like magic, but it's based on solid science. Yes, our noses could hold the key to making spinal cord injury patients walk again. It's no coincidence that this clinical trial is attracting the attention of doctors and patients around the world.
Il Professor James St John of Griffith University (pictured on the cover of this article) he is sure of it:
Our innovative nerve bridges, combined with high purity olfactory cells, offer what we believe is the best hope for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
The hidden potential of nasal cells
The cells involved in this clinical trial are known as olfactory ensheathing cells, “coated”. These cells have unique characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the treatment of spinal injuries. Unlike other nerve cells, They regenerate every 6-8 weeks, an evolutionary response to their role in protecting the respiratory system against potential invaders such as bacteria.
This regenerative ability, combined with their connection to the central nervous system, makes them ideal candidates for spinal cord repair. It’s fascinating to think that the solution to such a complex problem could come from a part of our body that we often take for granted.
From Previous Attempts to New Clinical Trial
The history of this research is long and complex. In 2002, a clinical trial (this) demonstrated that treating spinal injuries with stem cells taken from patients' noses was safe. However, despite some encouraging results, success has not been consistent. The Professor St. John explains that previous attempts have encountered technical difficulties in preparing and transplanting the cells. Furthermore, The cells were injected in liquid suspension, without being in contact with each other, which could cause damage during the process.
The Innovation of Nerve Bridges
La new clinical trial is based on an innovative approach: Instead of injecting cells, surgeons place a 1- to 2-centimeter “nerve bridge” over the scar and across it to the injury site. This bridge is made up of millions of ensheathing olfactory cells that have already established connections with each other and secrete growth factors to support each other before insertion. This method, which has outperformed other approaches in animal studies, could also represent a significant breakthrough in the treatment of spinal injuries in humans.
The challenges of clinical trials
As with any clinical trial, there are challenges. One-third of the participants will follow an intense rehabilitation program like the others, but will not receive treatment. This rigorous approach is essential to evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment. The most important obstacle to the research, however, is financial. Between 50 and 100 million dollars will be needed for phase II of the clinical trial, and even more so for phase III. This economic reality has pushed the team to make difficult decisions, such as sacrifice transparency to maximize the chances of obtaining patents, which may be the only way to bring the technology to market.
Future perspectives
Despite the challenges, the prospects are exciting. There is hope that olfactory ensheathing cells could eventually provide even broader benefits, such as treating brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases. Although the team is focusing on the spine, they are already thinking about how the approach could be used to repair peripheral nerves.
In short (Italian only)
I open a parenthesis before concluding the article: predictably I will receive many private emails from people who want to know more about the clinical trial, and take part in it. I will anticipate the criteria, I will do so also in the next similar cases. There are still places available, but there are criteria: participants must have had a spinal injury for at least 12 months, although they can register (via email scitrial@griffith.edu.au) after just four months. Above all (this, I realize, narrows the field considerably) they must live in south-eastern Australia. Further information on the inclusion criteria is available , here.
This clinical trial represents an important step toward the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Although there are still many unanswered questions and challenges to overcome, the innovative approach of “nasal nerve bridges” offers new hope to millions of people around the world. Science continues to surprise us, finding innovative solutions in unexpected places. I smell hope (that is the right word) a future of people finding the joy of walking again.