Compositions and methods for producing and using homogenous neuronal cell transplants

Patent Number: 7011827

This patent covers the use of the human NT2N neurons for treatment of brain injury. Essentially, the NT2N cells are a cell line derived from a human teratocarcinoma which have neuronal properties., specifically, the cells are post-mitotic since the original teratocarcinoma cell is induced to differentiate into neurons which retinoic acid...this way tumors are not suppose to form in the patient.... The patent has 1 independent claim covering a "method of treatment" for stroke patients involving implantation of the cells into an area of injury. It is important to note that the NT2N cell line has already been used for treatment of stroke in clinical trials with some success. For example, a patient treated with this cell line who subsequently died of other causes demonstrated that the cells successfully innervated into the brain of the patient, and did not form tumors, at more that 2 years after administration (Nelson PT, et al. Clonal human (hNT) neuron grafts for stroke therapy: neuropathology in a patient 27 months after implantation. Am J Pathol. 2002 Apr;160(4):1201-6). It may be worthwhile mentioning that NT2N cells are called "LBS-neurons" by some when used in humans, based on the name of the company who did clinical trials with these cells called Layton Biosciences.

View this patent on the USPTO website.