Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a traumatic lesion that causes disability with temporary or permanent sensory and/or motor deficits. The pharmacological approach still in use for the treatment of SCI involves the employment of corticosteroid drugs. However, SCI remains a very complex disorder that needs future studies to find effective pharmacological treatments. SCI actives a strong inflammatory response that induces a loss of neurons followed by a cascade of events that lead to further spinal cord damage. Many experimental studies demonstrate the therapeutic effect of stem cells in SCI due to their capacity to differentiate into neuronal cells and by releasing neurotrophic factors. Therefore, they appear to be a valid strategy to use in the field of regenerative medicine. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of clinical trials, recorded in clinical trial.gov during 2005–2019, aimed to evaluate the use of stem cell-based therapy in SCI. The results available thus far show the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy in patients with SCI. However, future trials are needed to investigate the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation.
Highlights
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a serious central nervous system disorder that was recognized as an important global health priority [1]
SCI is a complex medical and living condition reflected in loss or impairment of functions that lead to reduced mobility and/or sensitivity [28]
UC-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are obtained by treating the umbilical cord or the cord blood from infants and can be stored at cryogenic temperatures until use. These cells show a low immunogenicity power and less risk of rejection after transplantation compared to other stem cells [62]. Their biological effects are mainly conferred by the release of cytokines and trophic factors, including IL-1, IL-10, neutrophil activator, NT-3, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), and neural cell adhesion molecule [9,63,64], which promote nervous tissue repair, induce axon growth, and activate damaged neurons
Summary
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a serious central nervous system disorder that was recognized as an important global health priority [1]. Non-traumatic conditions, such as cancer, inflammation, infections, or spinal disc degeneration, could induce SCI [3] This deleterious condition leads to a serious effect in subjects affected by this disorder, damaging their mental state, labor ability, and social behavior [4]. Compression of the spinal cord leads to consequent neuronal degeneration and blood vessel damage [5] In this context, the inflammatory state is an important factor in the pathogenesis of SCI leading to neuron and oligodendrocyte loss with consequent damage to nerve tissue [6]. The purpose of this review is to offer a briefing on current clinical studies recorded on ClinicalTrial.gov
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