Article
Treatment of chronic spinal cord injury patients by autologous bone marrow stem cell-derived growth and trophic factors (safety profile and clinical results)
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Published: | May 20, 2009 |
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Background: Studies of stem cell infusion in animals and humans with different neurological disorders have shown significant promise with no significant risks to general health. Patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) may benefit from regenerative therapy by intrathecal infusion of cell derived growth and trophic factors.
Aims: The following study was undertaken to investigate the safety profile and possible clinical efficacy of infusion of autologous cell-derived growth and trophic factors in patients with chronic spinal cord injury.
Patients and methods: 115 patients with SCI, aged between 18 and 65 years (average 43), were included into the study between 2005 and 2008. Two intrathecal infusions of autologous cell-derived growth and trophic factors (40x106 CD34+ cells), spaced by a 9-month interval, were performed per patient. Control MRI, neurological, and psychological tests were done prior to treatment. Three months after each application these tests were repeated and compared to the controls.
Results and conclusion: The infusion of autologous cell-derived growth and trophic factors was tolerated very well, and no serious side effects were noted. The lack of control and placebo groups hampers the interpretation of the efficacy analysis. There was, however, improvement in the sensory and motor function in 105 of the 111 patients with SCI.