Neural Regen Res, 2020 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.274347 · Published: January 28, 2020
This study explores using stem cells from umbilical cords (hUC-MSCs) to help people with spinal cord injuries. These stem cells may help by supporting blood vessel regrowth, reducing inflammation, preventing cell death, and releasing helpful substances. The study focuses on people with spinal cord injuries in the 'early chronic' phase, meaning they were injured between 2 months and 1 year ago. This is a common timeframe, but there aren't many studies on treatments during this phase. The trial involves multiple hospitals and will randomly assign participants to receive either the stem cell treatment or a placebo (normal saline). Neither the doctors giving the therapy nor the evaluators will be blinded, but the patients themselves will not know which treatment they are receiving.
If successful, this study could provide a new therapeutic option for patients with early chronic SCI, a population for whom effective treatments are currently lacking.
The study aims to improve motor, sensory, and micturition/defecation function in patients, potentially leading to a better quality of life.
The study suggests that if hUC-MSC transplantation proves effective, it may reduce the need for other expensive and mostly ineffective therapies, leading to substantial cost savings.