Womb-based stem cells show early promise for spina bifida treatment

A small Nature-backed trial (CuRE) tested placenta-derived stem cells applied to fetuses’ exposed spinal cords at 24–25 weeks to treat myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. The six participants had safe surgeries; the babies were born around 34 weeks with no infections, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, or tumours, and hindbrain herniation was reversed in all cases. While encouraging, it is far too early to know whether benefits will persist in larger populations, and longer studies are needed to assess long-term outcomes compared with current fetal surgery.