Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

J Neuroimmunol. 2010 Oct 8; 227(1-2) : 185-9. Epub 2010 Aug 21.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
Yamout B, Hourani R, Salti H, Barada W, El-Hajj T, Al-Kutoubi A, Herlopian A, Baz EK, Mahfouz R, Khalil-Hamdan R, Kreidieh NM, El-Sabban M, Bazarbachi A.
Departments of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. yamoutba@idm.net.lb
Abstract
We explore the safety, and therapeutic benefit of intrathecal injection of ex-vivo expanded autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in 10 patients with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Assessment at 3-6 months revealed Expanded Disability Scale Score (EDSS) improvement in 5/7, stabilization in 1/7, and worsening in 1/7 patients. MRI at 3 months revealed new or enlarging lesions in 5/7 and Gadolinium (Gd+) enhancing lesions in 3/7 patients. Vision and low contrast sensitivity testing at 3 months showed improvement in 5/6 and worsening in 1/6 patients. Early results show hints of clinical but not radiological efficacy and evidence of safety with no serious adverse events.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PMID: 20728948 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]