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Dr. Jesús Vaquero, head of the Neurosurgery Department at the Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda University Hospital, explains in this interview what cell therapy for spinal cord injuries consists of, with which he has been working for more than 20 years. After four clinical trials, he has obtained approval from the AEMPS for the drug NC1. This is the first drug of Spanish origin, of advanced therapy and non-industrial manufacture that allows spinal cord injuries to be treated with their own cells. Thanks to this therapy, 80% of the patients treated have been able to recover control of their sphincters. In addition, it manages to reduce neuropathic pain and improves the quality of life of the patients, increasing their motor response as well as their sensitivity and ability to walk. Dr. Vaquero explains that during the first year they will treat 30 patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries due to vertebral damage at the dorsal or lumbar level and certain complete spinal cord injuries at the dorsal and lumbar levels with this drug. Depending on the results, the next step will be to extend the therapy to more patients. This advanced cell therapy allows the regeneration of many tissues based on adult stem cells extracted from bone marrow. It is precisely in the bone marrow where many hematopoietic cells are found. However, Dr. Vaquero points out that there is a fraction of these cells, which represent 0.001%. These are mesenchymal cells or stromal cells. To do this, bone marrow is extracted to separate the cells that are most interesting. They are then cultured in a clean room and from there the number of millions of cells necessary for each patient is obtained, depending on their injury and by carrying out a personalized therapy. Finally, the doctor explains that they perform surgery to introduce these cells into the area of the spinal cord injury.