A diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, carries a devastating prognosis. Patients are typically given two to five years to live after the onset of symptoms, a timeframe that feels impossibly short for those facing the progressive loss of muscle control. But a team of researchers in Mexico is offering a glimmer of hope, demonstrating that autologous stem cell transplantation may extend both the length and quality of life for individuals living with this relentless disease.
ALS affects the motor neurons responsible for controlling movement, gradually robbing patients of the ability to speak, walk, eat, and breathe. The disease famously impacted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, who lived with ALS for over five decades—an exceptionally long survival for someone with the condition. Globally, an estimated 350,000 people are currently living with ALS, according to data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information , and currently, there is no cure.
Existing treatments, such as the drug riluzole, can modestly slow disease progression and manage symptoms, but they are often expensive and offer limited relief. “The available drugs are very costly and their results are modest,” explains Dr. Héctor Ramón Martínez, director of the Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute at TecSalud. “That’s why I always had in the back of my mind the necessitate to look for alternatives.”
In 2005, Dr. Martínez and a multidisciplinary team of doctors and researchers proposed a novel approach: utilizing stem cells harvested from the patient’s own body—hence the term “autologous”—and transplanting them directly into the brain to regenerate damaged neurons. To date, the group has treated 62 patients, observing marked improvements in their symptoms and a survival rate exceeding expectations.
A Novel Approach to Stem Cell Transplantation for ALS
The team’s protocol begins with extracting stem cells from the patient’s blood through a peripheral vein. Prior to extraction, the bone marrow is stimulated with the medication filgrastim to increase stem cell production. These cells are then cultivated in a laboratory and tagged with an antibody containing magnetic particles, allowing for their separation from other blood components using a magnet.
Next, cerebrospinal fluid is extracted from the patient, and the isolated stem cells are introduced into it. “Because the cells are from the patient’s own body, we don’t need to use any immunosuppressant medications, eliminating the risk of rejection,” Dr. Martínez explains. Finally, the stem cells are implanted directly into the motor cortex of the brain through two small openings, known as trepanations.
Early results have been promising. Among the first 10 patients treated, none required a tracheostomy or gastrostomy—procedures often necessary for ALS patients as the disease progresses—unlike several in a control group who did. “Of the 10 in the control group, five had died after one year of follow-up, and two in the experimental group; survival had been higher,” Dr. Martínez stated.
The encouraging outcomes prompted an audit of the protocol by NEALS (Northeast ALS Consortium), an international organization focused on ALS research and treatment. After a five-day review of patient records, NEALS approved the protocol and included the Tecnológico de Monterrey in the consortium, alongside institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and Duke University .
The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, allowing patients to be discharged the following day. Importantly, the team reports no instances of cerebral hemorrhage, infection, or epileptic seizures resulting from the procedure.
Understanding the Potential Mechanisms of Improvement
Beyond improved symptoms and survival rates, MRI scans of treated patients have revealed a thickening of the corticospinal tract—the area of the brain responsible for transmitting nerve impulses from the brain to the spinal cord for voluntary movement. “When patients arrived, this area was very thin, and six months after treatment, it was double the size, with many fibers,” Dr. Martínez noted.
Researchers believe the transplanted stem cells promote the recovery of damaged motor neurons, potentially explaining the observed improvements. While the exact mechanisms are still being investigated, the stem cells don’t appear to generate new motor neurons, but rather stimulate the survival and function of existing ones while reducing inflammation associated with the disease’s degeneration.
Expanding the Reach of Regenerative Therapies
Dr. Martínez recalls the profound impact of witnessing patients regain lost abilities. “One woman entered almost unable to move and was standing and bathing herself a few months after treatment,” he shared. “Another arrived in a wheelchair the first time and walked the second.”
Over time, the experimental protocol has evolved into a specialized regenerative therapy platform for ALS. Recently, the team relocated to Hospital Zambrano Hellion, where a state-of-the-art laboratory has been developed for advanced therapies. “We will use it to perform stem cell transplants not only for ALS, but also in cardiology, hematology, and oncology,” Dr. Martínez said.
The team is also focusing on early diagnosis of ALS and other rare diseases. They are continuing to pursue the necessary steps to make autologous stem cell transplantation a widely available treatment option for ALS. The team presented their findings in December 2025 at the 18th International Congress of the Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine Society in Japan, garnering interest from international groups .
While the therapy remains in the research phase, this project represents a significant effort in Latin America and globally to treat this devastating disease with regenerative medicine. “When a patient is told ‘there is nothing that can be done,’ that’s when our responsibility as doctors begins: to discover something that can be done,” Dr. Martínez emphasizes.
Disclaimer: This article provides information about ongoing medical research and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.
The next step for Dr. Martínez and his team is to continue gathering data and refining the protocol, with the ultimate goal of securing broader access to this potentially life-altering treatment. Share this article to help raise awareness of this promising research and the hope it offers to those affected by ALS.
