 |
| Dr Idrees Sher |
Neurosurgery
research at Monash University focussing on stem cell regeneration to reduce
back pain was recognised at the prestigious North American Spine Society annual
meeting in Orlando, Florida last month.
Monash
Health neurorsurgery registrars Dr Chris Daly (a Monash University PhD
candidate) and Dr Idrees Sher (a Monash University Masters candidate) presented
papers at the largest academic spine meeting and exhibition in the world. Dr Sher won Best Science paper at the
meeting.
Dr
Idrees presented his research into mesenchymal precursor
stem cells (MPCs) providing an alternative to surgery for disc degeneration and
the management of discogenic lower back pain. The study was
published last month in the high impact The Spine Journal.
Research
group leader at The Ritchie Centre (Monash University and the Hudson Institute
of Medical Research) and Monash Health neurosurgeon Associate Professor Tony
Goldschlager said the team is focusing on stem cell regeneration of the
intervertebral disc.
“We
have had success both in preclinical and clinical studies of being able to restore
structure and function of the disc,” Associate Professor Goldschlager said.
“This
reduces pain and improves quality of life for patients.”
“One
challenge in our research has been detecting changes in the disc with MRI scans
and Dr Sher’s award winning study has been able to study the disc using super
high resolution (9.4T) MRI. This has produced some of the world’s first high
quality images of the disc, with exquisite detail.”
In his study, Dr Sher used a number of investigation
techniques including histology, mmunohistochemistry, polarised microscopy and
MRI to demonstrate that MPCs provide a direct beneficial effect in the rate of
repair and reconstitution in the degenerate and nutritionally compromised
intervertebral discs during the first 4 weeks.
“We’ve shown MPCs provide an opportunity for earlier
intervention and delay in the progression of disc degeneration,” Dr Sher said.
“Our findings provide novel insights in the actions of MPCs
and support their use in degenerative disc disease, further paving the way for
human trials.
Also at the annual scientific meeting in Orlando, colleague
and Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons Foundation for Surgery Richard Jepson
Scholarship recipient Dr Daly presented his research into stem cells
promoting disc healing following surgery.
“Lumbar
discectomy is the most commonly performed spine surgery procedure worldwide and
is very effective at relieving the symptoms of nerve compression, e.g. pain and
weakness radiating down the leg, secondary to a slipped disc,” Dr Daly said.
“However,
the operation fails to reverse the underlying disc degeneration and as such, up
to one third of patients will progress to suffer ongoing back pain and
approximately one in seven will undergo further surgery.”
Dr
Daly’s research demonstrated the ability of a type of adult stem cell from the
bone marrow, when ‘primed’ by exposure to an arthritis medication, pentosan
polysulfate, to promote regeneration of the intervertebral disc in preclinical
models following discectomy surgery.
“The
treated disc appears healthier on MRI, biochemical, morphological and
microscopic analysis then untreated discs following surgery,” Dr Daly said.
“This
study suggests the ability of these primed cells to promote disc healing
following surgery in humans and will be investigated in a clinical trial in the
near future.”
This
research was carried out at the Monash Health Translation Precinct (MHTP), a collaboration
of Monash University Departments of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Monash Imaging and
Monash Biomedical imaging and the Hudson Institute.
