Researchers announce stem-cell breakthrough

The clinical-grade embryonic stem cells (ESCs) could in future be used in pioneering patient trials of cell-based therapies.

Unlike ESCs used in previous trials, they never started out as “research grade” cells suitable only for laboratory experiments before being reclassified.

Crucially, the lines of cells produced at King’s College London are also “xeno-free”. That means they are free from any contamination by animal-derived products often used as growth mediums.

The scientists yesterday announced in the journal Cytotherapy that the cells, which originated from surplus IVF embryos, had been delivered to the UK Stem Cell Bank.

The bank, a publicly-funded body providing stem cells for research, will carry out further stringent tests before the cells get their final seal of approval.

It is hoped they will provide the “seedstock” for clinical trials within the next three years.

Professor Peter Braude, a leading member of the King’s College team, said it had taken 10 years of painstaking step-by-step research to develop such high quality ESCs for clinical trials.

“That’s really been the Holy Grail for everybody in regenerative medicine,” he said. “We have succeeded where many substantial commercial companies have not.”

Human embryonic stem cells are obtained from early-stage embryos the size of a pinhead.