Article
Image-guided percutaneous intralesional administration of mesenchymal stromal cells in subjects with chronic complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study
Registration in:
LAROCCA, T. F. et al. Image-guided percutaneous intralesional administration of mesenchymal stromal cells in subjects with chronic complete spinal cord injury: a pilot study. Cytotherapy, jul. 2017.
1465-3249
10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.06.006
Author
Larocca, Ticiana Ferreira
Macêdo, Carolina Thé
Souza, Bruno Solano de Freitas
Souza, Yuri M Andrade
Villarreal, Cristiane Flora
Matos, André Costa
Silva, Daniela Nascimento
Silva, Kátia Nunes da
Souza, Clarissa Lima E Moura de
Paixão, Daniela da Silva
Bezerra, Milena da Rocha
Alves, Rodrigo Leal
Soares, Milena Botelho Pereira
Santos, Ricardo Ribeiro dos
Abstract
Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). The potential of cell therapies to improve neurological function in subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) is currently under investigation. In this context, the choice of cell type, dose, route and administration regimen are key factors. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be easily obtained, expanded and are suitable for autologous transplantation. Here we conducted a pilot study that evaluated safety, feasibility and potential efficacy of intralesional MSCs transplantation performed through image-guided percutaneous injection, in subjects with chronic complete SCI. Methods. Five subjects with
chronic traumatic SCI (>6 months), at thoracic level, classified as American Spinal Cord Injury Association impairment
scale (AIS) grade A, complete injury, were included. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), spinal magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and urodynamics were assessed before and after treatment. Autologous MSCs were injected directly into
the lesion site through percutaneous injection guided by computerized tomography (CT). Results. Tomography-guided percutaneous
cell transplantation was a safe procedure without adverse effects. All subjects displayed improvements in spinal
cord independence measure (SCIM) scores and functional independence measure (FIM), mainly due to improvements in
bowel movements and regularity. Three subjects showed improved sensitivity to tactile stimulation.Two subjects improved
AIS grade to B, incomplete injury, although this was sustained in only one of them during the study follow-up. Conclusion.
Autologous bone marrow MSC transplantation, performed through CT-guided percutaneous injection, was shown to
be safe and feasible. Further studies are required to demonstrate efficacy of this therapeutic scheme.