Cell therapy has worked for multiple sclerosis

   A new study evaluated the effectiveness of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in progressive multiple sclerosis. In 48 patients, the study has shown encouraging results. Regarding the progression of disability, the cell therapy had significant advantages compared with placebo.

   A double-blind, placebo-controlled second-phase study, which experts called “very innovative” and “provocative,” was recently presented at the 35th Congress of the European Committee for the Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in 2019. According to scientists, this test has shown "a pronounced change in the trajectory of disability and markers of inflammation, despite the fact that it included a small number of patients".

   Both intravenous and intrathecal administration of stem cells provided positive clinical effects compared with placebo in terms of parameters of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS and other indicators). The intrathecal method was more effective than intravenous administration in terms of relapse rate and several others secondary endpoints.

   According to the results, both intravenous and intrathecal administration of stem cells was safe and not accompanied by the development of serious side effects. However, for the final conclusions, a clinical trial of the third phase is required.

   Source: MEDSCAPE