Autologous multipotent mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis
Stem cell transplantation represent a most promising therapeutic strategy for degenerative and progressive diseases of central nervous system. In this study autologous mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from bone marrow of 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 3 patients with multiple sclerosis. Growth kinetics, immunophenotype and karyotype were evaluated during in vitro expansion. The in vitro expanded mesenchymal stem cells did not show any bacterial or fungal contamination, hemopoetic cell contamination, chromosomic alterations and early cellular senescence. The patients received monthly intravenous injections of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in dosis 2x106/kg for 1-22 months. No significant acute or late side effects were evidenced. Minor adverse event was transient hyperthermia after infusion of mesenchymal stem cells reversible after 10 hours in 2 patients. No signs of abnormal cell proliferation were observed. Our results seem to demonstrate that mesenchymal stem cells represent a good chance for stem cell therapy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (with slowing of disease progression in 50% of patients) and multiple sclerosis (positive effect in all cases) and that mesenchymal stem cells therapy is safe for the treatment period. The clinical results seem to be encouraging for going on the study with enrollment of additional patients.