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AssigneeRegenerative Research Foundation
InventorsSally Temple Stern, Natalia Lowry, Jeffrey Stern, Susan K. Goderie
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The present invention relates to treatment methods and methods for sustained delivery of one or more exogenous factors to desired nervous system sites. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of biodegradable microspheres to deliver exogenous factors, such as the morphogenic factor, sonic hedgehog (Shh), to the site of spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the Shh-releasing microspheres are administered together with stem cells, which may be spinal cord neural stem cells. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to regrowth of neural cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.
A method for treating a spinal cord injury in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering a pharmaceutical formulation comprising poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres and a single active agent consisting of sonic hedgehog (Shh) at the injury site in an amount effective for treating the spinal cord injury, wherein a single administration provides sustained delivery of the Shh for at least 7 days, and wherein an improvement in motor or sensory function is measured after 28 days from initial administration.
A method for increasing neural cell growth or regenerating neural cells in a mammal having spinal cord injury, comprising administering a sustained release pharmaceutical formulation comprising poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres and a single active agent consisting of sonic hedgehog (Shh) at the injury site in an amount effective for increasing neural cell growth or regenerating neural cells, wherein a single administration provides sustained delivery of the Shh for at least 7 days, and wherein an improvement in motor or sensory function is measured after 28 days from initial administration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.