Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating disease that significantly impacts the lives of patients who suffer from the condition. Certain subgroups of patients will continue to progress as their condition worsens. Patients have access to some therapies that can improve their condition, but more advanced treatments are needed to improve long-term outcomes.
Researchers have been excited about the prospect of stem cell therapy to treat various autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. Stem cells have the ability to modulate the immune system response and also secrete growth factors and cytokines. Stem cells can also move to the damaged area of the body. Researchers are hopeful that these abilities can result in better outcomes for MS patients. There have been a lot of clinical and preclinical studies on the use of stem cells for multiple sclerosis in the past few years.
A recent study, Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Multiple Sclerosis: Recent Evidence from Pre-Clinical to Clinical Studies, looked into both models of MS and clinical trials that involved the administration of stem cells. The study found that stem cells are a potential therapy for patients who are suffering from multiple sclerosis.
Results of the Study
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. Stem cells may be able to improve the long-term outcomes of MS patients. The researchers assessed MS experimental models and clinical studies where stem cell administration was evaluated.
The researchers looked into a number of studies of experimental models of MS. These studies showed that stem cells were able to reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and multiple sclerosis disease scores. As great as these models are, clinical trials are needed for stem cell therapy to become a widely accepted medical procedure.
These clinical trials highlighted the safety and feasibility of MSC administration and reported some improvements in patient outcomes. A phase one trial confirmed the feasibility and safety of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The stem cells were administered via intravenous transfusions. There was no evidence of severe adverse events or disease activation after six months.
Another phase one clinical study found that bone-marrow stem cells were safe for treating MS patients. Patients were given stem cells via intravenous injection. Patients experienced minor adverse events, such as injection site reactions, including bruising, pain, swelling, fever, and headache. Two patients saw improvements in their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), with a decrease of 4 and 3.5 points.
One study, in particular, showed the promising effects of stem cell therapy for MS patients. 18 MS patients received seven doses of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. The patients only reported minor adverse events, such as headaches and fatigue. Patients experienced an improvement in symptoms one month after receiving the treatment. Some patients still had symptoms improvements even one year after the treatment.
Patients saw improvements in EDSS scores, bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunctions, in non-dominant hand average scores, in walk times, and a general perspective of a positive health change and improved quality of life. MRI scans found that 15 of 18 patients had inactive lesions on the brain and spinal cord. One patient showed a nearly complete resolution of brain plaques. After MSC transplantation, 20% of patients were able to reduce their intake of MS medication.
A long-term study looked into if stem cells would have adverse health effects on patients in the long term. Relapsing-remitting MS patients were given umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via a combination of intravenous and intrathecal routes. The study followed patients for ten years. After the 10-year follow-up, there were no serious adverse events, including tumor formation. The study concluded that umbilical cord stem cells are safe for MS treatment.
Another study gave progressive MS patients mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors. The patients received between 2-5 intrathecal injections of escalating doses of mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors. The researchers then followed the patients for an average of 7.4 years.
Patients showed clinical improvements in their EDSS scores. Some patients reported improvements in bladder and bowel functions. Only one patient showed disease progression, while the other patients did not show any disease progression. The study found that patients only saw improvements when they received more than 2,000,000 cells.
The study concluded that more extensive studies with more patients are needed. It appears that stem cell therapy can be beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis. There will likely be a widely accepted stem cell medical treatment for MS patients sometime in the near future.
