Overview

• Newly published trials confirm the safety of stem cell-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease, with no serious adverse effects reported over follow-up periods of up to 24 months.
• The studies used two distinct approaches: iPSC-derived dopaminergic progenitors in Japan and hESC-derived dopamine-producing neurons in the US and Canada.
• Early results suggest potential motor function improvements in some patients, though outcomes varied and require further validation.
• The trials represent a significant step forward, addressing long-standing challenges with earlier fetal tissue transplant methods, such as tumor risks and side effects.
• Larger, multicenter trials are planned for later in 2025 to rigorously test the clinical efficacy of these therapies and their potential to improve patient quality of life.