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This year the 13th International Symposium of MND/ALS was held November 17 - 19 in Melbourne, Australia. Despite the far distance to travel, 450 delegates came from throughout the world to attend this ALS specific meeting. The quality of basic science presentations and clinical patient care papers were considered some of the best ever. This meeting has become the main forum for the reporting of new scientific and clinical management findings in ALS on an international level. Among many interesting presentations, an Italian research group reported on their development of mesenchymal stem cells. These are extracted from patient’s skin (stem cells separated in cultured skin cells) and then injected into their own spinal cord. Dr. Mitsumoto, who attended the meeting stated that this is the first such treatment of its kind. This investigation was testing if injections of mesenchymal stem cells into the spinal cord can be given to human patients for both safe and effective treatment of ALS. There was no apparent harm detected in this study and benefit has not been reported as of yet. Dr. Mitsumoto’s personal impression is that more extensive basic research is needed before we can successfully develop the proper way to introduce any stem cell therapy into patients with ALS. Given the level of funding, research activity and collaboration within the overall ALS community our hope is that continued progress will result in many more answers and ultimately an effective treatment for ALS. As you read in this edition of the Newsletter, Columbia’s ALS team, clinically through research trials and scientifically in the basic science realm, continues to strive to achieve this goal. On behalf of the entire ALS team, I send you our best for this Holiday Season.
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