Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease which causes low functionality in lower and upper motor nerves that control muscle function. It causes muscle weakness, paralysis, breathing problems and could eventually lead to death. Currently, there is a dire need for new treatments to slow down the progression of this disease in an efficient way.

Kadimastem Ltd., a clinical-stage cell therapy company, has recently made headlines by announcing promising interim results of Phase 1/2a clinical trial of cohort A for patients who are suffering from

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Reportedly, The main objective of this clinical trial was to determine the safety parameters of injecting AstroRx, the company’s "off-the-shelf" clinical-grade astrocyte cell product, into spinal cord fluid of patients who are suffering from ALS. Whereas the secondary objective of the clinical trial was to determine preliminary efficacy.

According to the sources, after completing 3 months of post-treatment visits by all 5 patients in cohort A, the company started and conducted interim analysis to investigate possible efficacy. In the clinical trial, no treatment-related serious adverse events or toxicities were reported.

The results of Preliminary efficacy were based on the ALS-FRS-R (Functional Rating Scale-Revised) criteria to determine disease progression in patients. Moreover, sources cite that there is a decrease in the average rate of ALS-FRS-R (-0.87) per month in the three-month pre-treatment period. Meanwhile, the average rate change in the 3 months post-treatment was (+0.26) per month.

Result of this clinical trial shows that there is a reduction in disease progression in the first 3-month post-treatment period as compared to the 3-month pretreatment period.

Moreover, the company will be presenting Interim and Preliminary results of Cohort A at annul NEALS meeting which will be held in Florida, U.S. in Oct. 2019, whereas the final report of cohort A, which will have 6-month post-treatment period, is expected by the end of 2019.

Source Credit - https://www.kadimastem.com/post/kadimastem-announces-promising-interim-results-of-cohort-a-of-its-phase-1-2a-clinical-trial-in-als?fbclid=IwAR19S2_2vj-hZEHUT3Mm63op9XZ8pkZ4djaODum1ufBY1gLFkXqUhbVrGek