Dr. R. Ravi Kumar and colleagues (India) have transplanted autologous (i.e., obtained from the patient) stem cells into over 120 patients with SCI (17 & 18). Stem-cell preparation was done in association with the Nichi-In Center for Regenerative Medicine, a Japanese laboratory located in India that specializes in the preparation of autologous - no-rejection - stem cells (19). Stem cells were extracted from 100 ml of bone marrow obtained from the patient. The concentrated preparation, containing about 2-4 million cells, was injected into the lumbar spinal fluid (i.e., intrathecal).

According to presentations at 2007 stem-cell meetings (18), 120 patients who received stem cells in this fashion were followed for six months. Of these patients, 85 were male and 35 female; age ranged from 8-55 years; and time lapsing from injury varied from three months to 11 years. Nine patients had cervical injuries, 38 upper thoracic (T1-T7) injuries, 60 lower thoracic (T7-T12), and 12 lumbar injuries.

Six months after transplantation, 12 and 8 patients improved at least two or one grade(s) of motor power, respectively (greater improvement noted for lower-level injuries); three could walk independently; 14 had sensory improvement or pain reduction; and 18 had improved bladder control. No significant adverse side effects were noted.

Ref.: www.sci-therapies.info website

Dr. Satish Totey

Dr. Satish Totey is among a select number of researchers who pioneered the isolation and characterization of pluripotent stem cells from human embryo, which provided an important framework for the development of human embryonic stem cell lines. He also developed technology for up scaling of mesenchymal stem cells and is currently conducting phase-I clinical trials for myocardial infarction, leg ischemia, spinal cord injury and optic nerve injury at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore. He has 89 research papers and 8 US patents to his credit.

Dr. Satish Totey and colleagues (Bangalore, India) have initiated a pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of transplanting bone-marrow-derived, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the patient (i.e., autologous) back into the patient with SCI. The cells are extracted from the patient’s hip bone and cultured for several weeks before being transplanted back into the patient. Fifteen individuals with complete (ASIA A), C4-T10 injuries sustained within the previous half year will be recruited into the study. Approximately, one-million stem cells per kilogram of body weight will be injected by relatively non-invasive lumbar puncture (i.e., no laminectomy or opening of the spinal cord membrane) into the spinal-cord fluid (i.e., into the subarachnoid space). To evaluate potential improvements or changes, various electrophysiological, imaging, and clinical assessments will be carried out before and three months after transplantation.

At the time of this report, four subjects had been recruited, of whom one had completed the three-month assessments. This individual, a 32-year-old male, initially received two stem-cell transplantations nearly two weeks apart. In addition to improvements noted by various electrophysiological assessments, the patient reported improved bowel-and-bladder function; increased sensation; improved muscle function and strength, including some ambulation and toe wiggling, and overall enhanced strength.

After completion of this preliminary study, the investigators intend to initiate a more rigorously designed, double-blind-clinical trial.

Ref.: www.sci-therapies.info website