Woman grew 'nasal tissue' on back after stem cell treatment

Stem cells taken from nose 'retained ability to produce mucus' after paralysis treatment failed

Stem cells
(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A woman who underwent an experimental treatment to try to cure her paralysis, in which stem cells were collected from her nasal cavity and implanted in her spine, suffered a tumour-like growth eight years later, the New Scientist reports.

The American, whose name has not been made public, underwent the procedure at a hospital in Portugal. It was hoped that the cells would support and guide the growth of neurons, repairing the damage to her spine which had paralysed her.

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