A cell therapy trial in stroke has just started in France. Coordinated in Grenoble, it will last two years and will include a total of 40 patients who will be compared to 40 others in the placebo group. Objective: to activate brain repair mechanisms through injected fat cells to allow better motor recovery. First results in 2026.
Will cell therapy be a solution for the future to treat strokes? In any case, this is the approach that has just been tested at the Grenoble University Hospital with the RESSTORE trial (Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke in Europe) led by the University of Genoa Alpes.
A stroke every 4 minutes in France
The goal of this regenerative medicine is to activate brain repair mechanisms following a stroke to ultimately alleviate the burden of this pathology, which occurs every 4 minutes in France (150,000 strokes per year in France), represents the leading cause of acquired disability and is responsible for approximately 30,000 deaths per year. In addition, while 60% of patients regain their autonomy, 40% are left with major after-effects.
Coordinated by Professor Olivier Detante (Neurovascular Unit, Genoble University Hospital), the RESSTORE trial has just started with its very first patients. “To date, six patients have been includedspecifies the neurologist. Within 10 days of their stroke, they all received an intravenous injection of adipose-derived mesenchymal cells obtained after liposuction. a“upres of five donors”.
Mesenchymal cells. Credits: JUAN GAERTNER / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBR / JGT / Science Photo Library via AFP
Read alsoStroke: an innovative French treatment that could reduce the risk of hemorrhage and death
Nine centers including 80 patients
This type of cell has in fact, according to animal models, already demonstrated an excellent safety profile, low immunogenicity and well-established functional advantages on recovery after stroke.
The trial, planned for nine centres in France, plans to include a total of 80 patients, 40 of whom will be in the placebo group.The follow-up will take place for two years and we will evaluate the motor recovery of the patients according to different scores.ts”, specifies the specialist. Who continues: “The mechanisms of the fate of injected cells are still poorly understood.[…]
- sciencesetavenir.fr
