Autologous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in stroke patients

TLDR

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been shown to improve recovery from ischemic stroke in animal models. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of culture-expanded autologous MSC therapy in ischemic stroke patients. Thirty patients with severe middle cerebral artery infarcts were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of 1 × 10^8 autologous MSCs (n = 5) or no MSCs (n = 25), and neurological deficits, functional outcomes, and serial neuroimaging were assessed over 12 months. MSC-treated patients showed significant improvements in Barthel index and modified Rankin score over 12 months, with no adverse cell-related, serological, or imaging effects, indicating that intravenous autologous MSCs are a feasible and safe therapy that may enhance functional recovery. Ann Neurol 2005;57:874–882.

Abstract

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation improves recovery from ischemic stroke in animals. We examined the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of cell therapy using culture‐expanded autologous MSCs in patients with ischemic stroke. We prospectively and randomly allocated 30 patients with cerebral infarcts within the middle cerebral arterial territory and with severe neurological deficits into one of two treatment groups: the MSC group (n = 5) received intravenous infusion of 1 × 10 8 autologous MSCs, whereas the control group (n = 25) did not receive MSCs. Changes in neurological deficits and improvements in function were compared between the groups for 1 year after symptom onset. Neuroimaging was performed serially in five patients from each group. Outcomes improved in MSC‐treated patients compared with the control patients: the Barthel index ( p = 0.011, 0.017, and 0.115 at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) and modified Rankin score ( p = 0.076, 0.171, and 0.286 at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively) of the MSC group improved consistently during the follow‐up period. Serial evaluations showed no adverse cell‐related, serological, or imaging‐defined effects. In patients with severe cerebral infarcts, the intravenous infusion of autologous MSCs appears to be a feasible and safe therapy that may improve functional recovery. Ann Neurol 2005;57:874–882