Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise for ALS, Offering Hope Beyond Traditional Treatments

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually, death. Although there is currently no cure for ALS, a new approach involving autologous stem cell transplantation is demonstrating promising results, offering a potential lifeline for patients and a beacon of hope in the fight against this devastating disease.

Understanding ALS and Its Challenges

ALS impacts the ability to control muscle movement, affecting functions like speaking, walking, eating, and breathing. Approximately 350,000 people worldwide are estimated to live with ALS . The average survival time after diagnosis is typically between two to five years, though this can vary significantly . Current treatments, such as riluzole, aim to slow disease progression and manage symptoms, but they are often expensive and offer modest benefits .

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation: A Novel Approach

Researchers at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of TecSalud in Mexico have pioneered a novel treatment approach using autologous stem cell transplantation. This involves extracting stem cells from the patient’s own blood, growing them in a laboratory, and then transplanting them directly into the patient’s brain to potentially regenerate damaged neurons .

The Procedure: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

The process involves several key steps:

• Stem Cell Extraction: Stem cells are extracted from the patient’s blood through a peripheral vein after stimulating the bone marrow with filgrastim to increase stem cell production.
• Cell Growth and Separation: The extracted cells are grown in the laboratory and then separated using magnetic particles and a magnet.
• Transplantation: The patient’s cerebrospinal fluid is extracted, and the stem cells are placed within it before being implanted directly into the motor strip of the brain through small openings called trephines.

Because the stem cells are autologous (from the patient’s own body), there is no risk of immune rejection, eliminating the require for immunosuppressant medications .

Promising Results and Observed Improvements

To date, the research team has treated 62 patients with this autologous stem cell transplantation protocol . Initial results indicate a marked improvement in symptoms and a higher-than-expected survival rate. In a comparison with a control group, patients who received the stem cell transplant were less likely to require tracheostomies or gastrostomies, and had a greater one-year survival rate .

How Does It Work? Potential Mechanisms

MRI scans of treated patients have revealed a thickening of the corticospinal tract – an area of the brain responsible for transmitting nerve impulses to control voluntary movements . Researchers believe the transplanted stem cells promote the recovery of damaged motor neurons, stimulate their survival, and reduce inflammation associated with the disease. While stem cells do not appear to generate new motor neurons, they appear to support the function of existing ones .

International Recognition and Future Directions

The promising results of this research have garnered international attention. The protocol was audited and approved by the NEALS consortium, an international organization focused on ALS research and treatment, leading to the inclusion of Tecnológico de Monterrey in the consortium . The team presented their findings at the 18th International Congress of the Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine Society in Japan in December 2025 .

The team is now expanding its regenerative therapy platform to treat other conditions, including cardiology, hematology, and oncology. They are also focusing on early diagnosis of ALS and other rare diseases and working towards making autologous stem cell transplantation a widely available treatment option for ALS patients .

“When a patient is told ‘there is nothing to do’, that is where our responsibility as doctors begins: to find something that can be done,” says Hector Ramon Martinez, director of the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of TecSalud .