Advanced and Informative Stem Cell Clinical Trials

Abstract

The conventional treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) includes physical therapy and rehabilitation and in some cases may require surgical intervention. Although improved emergency care and aggressive treatment can help in preventing further damage and even restore minimal sensory functions, still a large proportion of patients suffer with prolonged disabilities. It led neurologists to search out for new treatment options for this otherwise debilitating disorder. Recent advances in research have developed a better understanding of stem cell biology especially their role in tissue repair and regeneration. Encouraging results in pre-clinical phase and limited human trials have proved that stem cells can be safely and effectively delivered to the injured site for regeneration of damaged tissue. Although a variety of cell types have been tried for their role in repair of spinal cord injury, majority of clinical trials employed stem cells taken from bone marrow especially mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Bone marrow MSCs are a good choice for regenerative therapies owing to advantages like ease of collection and ex-vivo culturing, immune tolerance and their ability to differentiate into a variety of cell types including neuronal lineage cells. Intravenous application or direct injection of MSCs into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) via lumber puncture in animal models of SCI and brain trauma had shown that MSCs can migrate towards and integrate into injured spinal tissue and reduce cyst size and increase functional recovery. The literature indicates that acute, sub-acute and chronic injury can be a therapeutic target for MSC grafting. The mechanism of action may however vary among these conditions. In acute phase, MSC administration play anti-inflammatory role, while in sub-acute/chronic setting it may be used as neurostimulator and for cell bridging effect and possibly glial or neuronal cell replacement. The investigators propose a non-randomized, single group, open label, phase-I, interventional study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intrathecal delivery of patient's own (autologous) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of spinal cord injury. This will include determination of functional recovery (neuro-muscular control and sensation) in the affected area and overall improvement in quality of life of the patients and also take into account any side effects, if observed.

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Abstract

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) therapy is a promising treatment for several degenerative diseases, including retinopathies and glaucoma, however no previous safety study involving humans has been conducted. The objective of this study is to evaluate effects of autologous bone marrow-derived MSC transplantation in the worst eye of 10 patients with legal bilateral blindness due to glaucoma. Primary outcome are types and severity of adverse effects. Secondary outcomes are changes in visual field, visual acuity, optical coherence tomography, and retinal ganglion cells function.

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Abstract

This study was designed to provide confirmation of safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in chronic renal failure due to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).The investigators will assess the 18-month safety and potential efficacy of autologous MSCs as therapy for ADPKD. A total of 6 patients with ADPKD IV injection of high doses 2×106 of autologous mesenchymal stem cells / kg their weight, which will be derived from biopsies of their bone marrow. Assessments will be made at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after cell injection. Changes in GFR rate were evaluated by scan isotope.

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