Pilot Study of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are hypothesized to have immunomodulatory and neurotrophic effects. In the present study, 48 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) were initially randomized to intrathecal (IT) MSCs, intravenous (IV) MSCs, or sham treatment. After 6 months, treated patients were rerandomized for another 6 months to remain on their treatment or switch to placebo; placebo patients were randomized to either MSC therapy.

The treatments were received safely, with two relapses and one unrelated upper respiratory infection. An increase in overall Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was observed in 7% of the MSC-IT, 10% of the MSC-IV, and 42% of the sham-treated patients. Deterioration within a functional syst…