Title:Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: An Open Label Study
Volume: 7
Issue: 6
Author(s): Mandana Mohyeddin Bonab, Mohammad Ali Sahraian, Aida Aghsaie, Sanaz Ahmadi Karvigh, Seyed Massoud Hosseinian, Behrouz Nikbin, Jamshid Lotfi, Saeideh Khorramnia, Mohammad Reza Motamed, Mansoureh Togha, Mohammad Hossien Harirchian, Nahid Beladi Moghadam, Katayoun Alikhani, Samira Yadegari, Sirous Jafarian and Mohammad Reza Gheini
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Mesenchymal stem cell, multiple sclerosis, progressive MS, BM-MSC, central nervous system, inflammatory diseases, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, clinico-radiologic paradox
Abstract: Despite updating knowledge and a growing number of medications for multiple sclerosis (MS), no definite
treatment is available yet for patients suffering from progressive forms of the disease. Autologous bone marrow derived
mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) transplantation is a promising method proposed as a therapy for MS. Although the
safety of these cells has been confirmed in hematological, cardiac and inflammatory diseases, its efficacy in MS treatment
is still under study.
Patients with progressive MS (expanded disability status scale score: 4.0 –6.50) unresponsive to conventional treatments
were recruited for this study.
Twenty-five patients [f/m: 19/6, mean age: 34.7±7] received a single intrathecal injection of ex-vivo expanded MSCs
(mean dose: 29.5×106 cells). We observed their therapeutic response for 12 months. Associated short-term adverse events
of injection consisted of transient low-grade fever, nausea /vomiting, weakness in the lower limbs and headache. No major
delayed adverse effect was reported. 3 patients left the study for personal reasons. The mean (SD) expanded disability
status scale (EDSS) score of 22 patients changed from 6.1 (0.6) to 6.3 (0.4). Clinical course of the disease (measured by
EDSS) improved in 4, deteriorated in 6 and had no change in 12 patients. In MRI evaluation, 15 patients showed no
change, whereas 6 patients showed new T2 or gadolinium enhanced lesions (1 lost to follow-up).
It seems that MSC therapy can improve/stabilize the course of the disease in progressive MS in the first year after injection
with no serious adverse effects. Repeating the study with a larger sample size, booster injections and longer follow-up
using a controlled study design is advised.
