The Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital das Clínicas at the University of São Paulo (USP) recently denied a request for experimental treatment with polylaminin for a military police sergeant, Valdecir Figueiredo Pascoal. Pascoal was hospitalized on December 22, 2025, after he sustained a gunshot wound to the thoracic region, which resulted in a complete spinal cord injury by fracturing his T12 vertebra. The injury has rendered him without any motor functions below the site of the injury, creating a significant rehabilitation challenge.

The committee's decision, made on February 2, 2026, was based on the conclusion that there is insufficient clinical evidence indicating the safety and efficacy of polylaminin in human subjects. As a laboratory-created compound derived from laminin, a protein naturally produced in the human body, polylaminin was considered promising in preliminary studies for aiding recovery in individuals with spinal cord damage. However, the committee emphasized that until more robust clinical trials are completed, the treatment could not be sanctioned outside established research protocols.

This decision raises important questions regarding the accessibility of experimental therapies for patients with severe medical conditions, particularly in Brazil, where the availability of cutting-edge medical treatments can already be limited. The denial underscores the ethical responsibilities of medical boards to prioritize patient safety and the necessity for rigorous testing before approving new medical interventions.