MSC Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Clinical effect of intrathecal infusion of allogeneic WJ-MSC in adults with spinal cord injury — Presented at the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy.
11
Patients Treated
4 treatment sessions each
Oct 2019 – Jan 2022
Study Period
Retrospective cohort
No SAEs
Safety Profile
No serious adverse events
72.7%
Complete Injuries
8 of 11 patients
Study Overview
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major public health challenge characterized by permanent or partial neurological damage with no definitive treatment. This retrospective cohort study describes the clinical effect of intrathecal Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) therapy in 11 adult patients with SCI.
Patients were followed using the ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) at 3, 6, and 9 months post-treatment. The study was approved by an ethics committee and informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Results suggest that WJ-MSCs are safe and demonstrate clinical evidence of regenerative capacity through improvement in somatosensory and motor sensitivity in SCI patients.
Injury Level Distribution
Distribution of spinal cord injuries by anatomical level across the 11-patient cohort.
Descriptive Statistics
Patient demographics and ASIA Impairment Scale timing across treatment sessions.
| Variable | Mean | Median | SD | IQR | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 34 | 33 | 13 | 12 | 42 |
| AIS T1 (months) | 18.9 | 15 | 9.59 | 7.5 | 27 |
| AIS T2 (months) | 43.5 | 38 | 15.3 | 18.5 | 45 |
| AIS T3 (months) | 24.5 | 21 | 16.9 | 23.5 | 50 |
| AIS T4 (months) | 36.8 | 50 | 19.5 | 26.5 | 50 |
Type of Imaging Injury
Classification of spinal cord injuries based on imaging findings.
| Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Edema | 1 | 9.1% |
| Myelomalacia/Myelopathy | 1 | 9.1% |
| Undetermined | 9 | 81.8% |
In Vitro Results
WJ-MSCs were obtained using the explant method and expanded until passage 7. Cell-marker expression, in vitro differentiation to mesodermal lineage, and microbiological tests were conducted. WJ-MSCs were cultured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for 72 hours, and cell marker expressions of Tubulin β-III, NeuN, Neurofilament light (NfL) protein, and MAP2 were evaluated.
Conclusion
WJ-MSCs meet the criteria of the International Society for Stem Cell Therapy (ISCT). The results obtained suggest clinical evidence of regenerative capacity through improvement in somatosensory and motor sensitivity in patients with spinal cord injury. No serious adverse events were reported, confirming a favorable safety profile.
Presented at the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy. Individual results may vary. Read our full medical disclaimer.
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