There are currently no FDA-approved cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease and none that have been approved by regulatory authorities in other parts of the world. However, tremendous progress has been made to advance cell therapies into clinical studies that are required for the FDA and other regulatory agencies to potentially approve treatments. Companies are currently conducting clinical trials in hopes of developing an FDA-approved treatment option for Parkinson’s in the future. The trials will continue to report their progress over time.
Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: A New Way Forward
There have been few advancements for treating Parkinson’s disease since the introduction of dopamine replacement therapies in the 1960s. A new approach—cell therapy—is now being studied in clinical trials for its ability to potentially replace the dopamine-producing cells that are lost due to the disease.
Cell Therapy:鈥≧estoring What’s Been Lost
is characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in the brain that produce dopamine, a chemical needed to control movement and other functions. As these neurons die, people can experience tremors, stiffness, and slowed movement. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, and treatments focus on managing the disease symptoms.
Cell therapy seeks to go beyond relieving symptoms by replacing the lost neurons that produce dopamine. The goal is for the new cells to produce dopamine in a way that more closely mimics natural physiological processes to restore the functioning of the lost cells.
Cell Therapy Clinical Trials for Parkinson’s Disease
Building on decades of scientific advances, cell therapy is now being studied in clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease. In these studies, healthy, dopamine-producing cells are surgically implanted into the brain. Clinical researchers are using this approach to restore function by replacing lost neurons to generate dopamine in a way that may be more physiological and longer lasting compared to current treatments (such as dopamine agonists).
The goal is for the new cells to re-form the neural network in the brain that has been severely impacted by Parkinson’s disease. Ultimately, this can potentially restore motor and non-motor functions to patients.
The trials are required before potential approval by the U.S. FDA and other regulatory agencies can be granted. While still investigational, cell therapy for Parkinson’s represents a major step forward in how we think about treating this disease.
You also may be interested to know that cell therapies have already been approved for the treatment of a
FAQ: Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s
Curious about how cell therapy could restore function in people with Parkinson’s disease?
Here are answers to common questions to help you understand the basics and the latest developments.
Current treatments, like medications such as dopamine agonists, manage symptoms by temporarily activating dopamine receptors to trick your brain into thinking it’s receiving dopamine. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these medications can wane over time.
In cell therapy, the aim is to replace the dopamine-producing brain cells that have been lost, thereby restoring the body’s ability to produce dopamine. This could provide a durable improvement of symptoms when other treatments may have lost their effectiveness.
While cell therapy may help replace cells lost to disease, it’s not considered a cure. Parkinson’s is a complex disease, and many factors may contribute to its cause and progression. However, cell therapy aims to offer meaningful improvement to patients and help change the way we treat the disease over time.
There are ongoing clinical trials studying cell therapy in people with Parkinson’s disease. These trials are exploring how well the therapy works, how safe it is, and how the cells function in the brain, among other things. You may be eligible to participate if you meet specific criteria. You can learn more at .
The therapy is delivered through a one-time surgical procedure that places the healthy cells directly into the brain, with patients being carefully monitored before, during, and after the implant procedure. The goal is for the administered cells to start producing dopamine and help restore the function of the lost dopamine-producing cells. The potential duration of the treatment effect is currently unknown and will be evaluated over time.
Alongside newer versions of traditional medications, researchers are also studying cell therapy, gene therapy, and other innovative approaches to treat Parkinson’s. These new modalities may offer patients a chance of symptom relief, improvements in their quality of life, and a slowing or even a halt of disease symptoms.
Explore More Resources
Cell Therapy Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease
