Novel Stem Cell Therapy Improves Walking Function in MS Patients

IRVINE, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research (IJPSDR), in its May-June, 2019 edition, has published data from an early stage 31-patient clinical study employing a novel, stem cell treatment demonstrating effectiveness and safety in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients having either the relapsing/remitting or progressive form of the disease.

The protocol utilizes the patient's own stem cells, thereby minimizing chances for immunological rejection. Once the stem cells are harvested and prepared, they are delivered intravenously into specific areas of the patient's brain employing a patent-pending interventional radiological procedure. The underlying basis of this therapeutic approach is that, contrary to accepted dogma, MS is initially and primarily a vascular disease. The study hypothesis posits that upon placement of stem cells at the level of blood vessel dysfunction within the brain, these cells can halt neurotoxic substances from crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB). These neurotoxins in the blood are known to cause brain inflammation and subsequent nerve cell dysfunction that leads to the symptoms of MS. This blood vessel restoration may also reduce symptoms and even reverse the progressive course of the disease.

Following a single round of stem cell therapies, patient walking function was used to determine efficacy by having participants perform the 25-foot walk test (T25FW). The popular walk test is an approved, sensitive and accurate test used to determine ability in MS patients. At 10 days following treatment there was a 22% improvement in function (time to complete the walking distance before and following therapy) in 28 of the 31 patients. There were no adverse events. As a result of positive Phase I data, ND Sciences is recruiting patients and treatment sites. The organization has filed a Phase 2 Clinical Development Plan with the USFDA and international regulatory (EMA) authorities. The goal of the proposed Phase II clinical trial is to corroborate the observed improvements in MS patients to determine whether these benefits are maintained over long-term observation. Moreover, by studying a larger group of patients and by using techniques such as MRI, nerve cell regeneration and physical structural improvements will be determined.

The co-authors of the IJPSDR study report, Henry Broeska and David Cohen, wish to thank all of the patients who participated in this clinical study for their faith and willingness to participate in this new, novel treatment procedure.

SOURCE ND Sciences