FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER WHARTON’S JELLY–DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL ADMINISTRATION IN A PATIENT WITH TRAUMATIC SPINAL CORD INJURY: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

The use of stem cells in the treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) in recent years has provided promising results. Different sources of cells for transplantation have been used, including mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs; e.g., Wharton’s jelly-derived (MSCs WJ-MSCs)]. Here, we reported on a 29-year-old man who was treated with WJ-MSCs in the course of therapy for blunt, traumatic SCI due to a work accident. He was operated on within 6 hours of the injury. Three and a half months later, he underwent intrathecal, intramuscular, and intravenous administrations of WJ-MSCs at a target dose of 1x106/kg for each application route (twice a month for 2 months). All the procedures were tolerated well by the patient. In parallel to this, we have not seen any application-related complications so far. After stem cell infusions, progressive improvements were shown in the patient’s neurological examination and neurophysiological and neuroradiological findings.