Stem Cell Clinical Trials in Spinal Cord Injury: A Brief Review of Studies in the United States

Background: Although many therapeutic approaches have been attempted to treat spinal cord injury, cellular transplantation offers the greatest promise in reconstituting the architecture of the damaged cord. Methods: A literature review was conducted to search for clinical trials investigating stem cells as treatment for spinal cord injury in the United States. Results: Overall, eight studies met inclusion criteria. Of the included studies, four were identified as being terminated, suspended, or not yet recruiting. Two studies were identified as currently recruiting, including one phase one trial evaluating stereotactic injections of human spinal cord-derived neural stem cells in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries, and one trial of transplantation of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells via paraspinal injections, intravenous injections, and intranasal placement. One study was identified as an active study, a phase one trial of intrathecal injection of 100 million autologous, ex-vivo expanded, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. One trial that was listed as completed is a phase 1/2a, dose escalation study, investigating stereotactic injection of human embryonic stem cell derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Conclusions: Although few significant publications have emerged to this point, current trial results are promising.