Stem cell treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries
Introduction – Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury usually begins with a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates vertebrae. The damage begins at the moment of injury when displaced bone fragments, disc material, or ligaments bruise or tear into spinal cord tissue.
Most injuries to the spinal cord don’t completely sever it. Instead, an injury is more likely to cause fractures and compression of the vertebrae, which then crush and destroy the axons, extensions of nerve cells that carry signals up and down the spinal cord between the brain and the rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can damage a few, many, or almost all of these axons. Some injuries will allow almost complete recovery; others will result in complete paralysis.
At present, standard spinal cord injury care focuses on urgent emergency care that is comprised of medications designed to reduce inflammation, immobilization designed stabilize and align the spine, and surgery to remove bone fragments, foreign objects, and damaged discs or vertebrae that are compressing the spine.
By the time patients leave the hospital, their doctors have given up on the possibility of repairing their damaged spinal cords. Consequently, patients are assigned to rehabilitation to teach them how to live with their disabilities.
The Xcell-Center Spinal Cord Injury Treatment
The XCell-Center’s spinal cord injury treatment is unique because it focuses on repairing tissue damage and restoring function to improve each patient’s quality of life. Patients are treated by injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which flows within the spinal canal. This procedure is called intrathecal injection or lumbar puncture.
Lumbar puncture is an outpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights.
Almost 60% of the spinal cord injury patients treated with stem cells at the XCell-Center show improvement.
The entire treatment consists of three steps: bone marrow collection, laboratory processing and stem cell implantation.
Bone Marrow Collection
On the first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient’s iliac crest (hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under local anesthesia. Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30 minutes.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In the lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured. These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged tissue.
Stem Cell Implantation
On the third day, the stem cells are implanted back into the patient by lumbar puncture.
A spinal needle is inserted between L4 and L5 vertebrae under local anesthesia and a small amount of spinal fluid is removed. A portion of that spinal fluid is mixed with the stem cell solution which is then injected into back into the patient’s spinal fluid, not the spinal cord. After the stem cells have been implanted, the patient will lie down in the recovery room for a few hours before returning to his or her hotel room. Normally, the lumbar puncture procedure is not painful.
Following Treatment
Patients treated by lumbar puncture are required to stay in town on the day after their procedure for general safety purposes. They may return home on the fifth day.
Results
Follow up statistics from 140 spinal cord injury patients completed in March 2010 show that nearly 60% experienced improvements after stem cell therapy.
These improvements were reported by patients with both incomplete and complete injuries.
Regaining sensation (feeling warm or cold sensations/ touch) was reported by 67% of patients. More than two-thirds reported increased muscle strength and improved endurance.
Better bladder and bowel control and/or gaining erections were reported by 26% – 41% of the patients who improved.
Decreased spasticity and limb pain were reported by well over 50% of improved patients.
Patients with measured ASIA scores saw average improvements of about 10% in ASIA motor score, and approximately 20% in ASIA pin prick and light touch measurements.
For more detailed results including more graphs, please view the complete March 2010 Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Results (PDF file).
For safety information on 870 patients treated by lumbar puncture, please view our Lumbar Puncture Safety Statistics (PDF file).
Patient Stories
Lavinia Conopan – 31 years old
“…I can now feel when I need to go to the toilet and my bladder capacity has increased…”
Ransom Doyle – 52 years old
“…I have been able to increase my distance walking to over 400+ meters with a cane and riding a two-wheel bicycle over a mile at a time…”
Rich Welsh – 27 years old
“…If you happen to have the chance of autologous stem cell treatment do not let it pass you by…”
Cost
Stem cell implantation via lumbar puncture: 7,545 Euros
Treatment Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you’ve completed the online medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
