Abstract |
Umbilical cord blood-derived mononuclear cell (UCB-MNC) transplants improve recovery in animal spinal cord injury (SCI) models. We transplanted UCB-MNCs into 28 patients with chronic complete SCI in Hong Kong (HK) and Kunming (KM). Stemcyte Inc. donated UCB-MNCs isolated from human leukocyte antigen (HLA ≥4:6)-matched UCB units. In HK, four patients received four 4-μl injections (1.6 million cells) into dorsal entry zones above and below the injury site, and another four received 8-μl injections (3.2 million cells). The eight patients were an average of 13 years after C5-T10 SCI. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging of five patients showed white matter gaps at the injury site before treatment. Two patients had fiber bundles growing across the injury site by 12 months, and the rest had narrower white matter gaps. Motor, walking index of SCI (WISCI), and spinal cord independence measure (SCIM) scores did not change. In KM, five groups of four patients received four 4-μl (1.6 million cells), 8-μl (3.2 million cells), 16-μl injections (6.4 million cells), 6.4 million cells plus 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone (MP), or 6.4 million cells plus MP and a 6-week course of oral lithium carbonate (750 mg/day). KM patients averaged 7 years after C3-T11 SCI and received 3-6 months of intensive locomotor training. Before surgery, only two patients walked 10 m with assistance and did not need assistance for bladder or bowel management before surgery. The rest could not walk or do their bladder and bowel management without assistance. At about a year (41-87 weeks), WISCI and SCIM scores improved: 15/20 patients walked 10 m ( p = 0.001) and 12/20 did not need assistance for bladder management ( p = 0.001) or bowel management ( p = 0.002). Five patients converted from complete to incomplete (two sensory, three motor; p = 0.038) SCI. We conclude that UCB-MNC transplants and locomotor training improved WISCI and SCIM scores. We propose further clinical trials.
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Authors | Hui Zhu, Waisang Poon, Yansheng Liu, Gilberto Ka-Kit Leung, Yatwa Wong, Yaping Feng, Stephanie C P Ng, Kam Sze Tsang, David T F Sun, David K Yeung, Caihong Shen, Fang Niu, Zhexi Xu, Pengju Tan, Shaofeng Tang, Hongkun Gao, Yun Cha, Kwok-Fai So, Robert Fleischaker, Dongming Sun, John Chen, Jan Lai, Wendy Cheng, Wise Young |
Journal | Cell transplantation
(Cell Transplant)
Vol. 25
Issue 11
Pg. 1925-1943
(11 2016)
ISSN: 1555-3892 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 27075659
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase I, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Lithium Carbonate
- Methylprednisolone
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Female
- Fetal Blood
(cytology)
- Humans
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear
(cytology, metabolism, transplantation)
- Lithium Carbonate
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Methylprednisolone
(therapeutic use)
- Middle Aged
- Placebo Effect
- Recovery of Function
- Spinal Cord
(diagnostic imaging)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
(pathology, therapy)
- Walking
- Young Adult
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