Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

in patients with Cerebral Palsy

(n=30)

Introduction

Cerebral Palsy is a non-progressive disorder caused by damage to the motor control centers of the develo-
1 1, 2
ping brain . The incidence of Cerebral Palsy varies between 2.12 to 2.45 per 1000 live births . In more than
3
75%, the brain damage happened during pregnancy. At the moment there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy .
Treatment with Autologous Stem Cells seems to be a promising therapy to improve the condition of the Ce-
4
rebral Palsy patient .

Methods

30 patients with Cerebral Palsy were treated with Autologous stem cells by the XCell-Center. Injection of the
Stem Cells was performed by Lumbar Puncture. 200 ml of Bone Marrow was extracted out of the Iliaca crest
and was concentrated for transplantation using gradient centrifugation (mean number of given cells was
6.000.000). After treatment the patients were evaluated using a post treatment survey. The results of 30 trea-
ted patients are presented in this poster.

Results CP - Results of Stem Cell Treatment

(N=30)

The mean age of the treated patients was

100%

9.8 years and the age of 50% of the trea-

ted patients was below 6.5 years. The
21
oldest patient was 44 years old. Gender
50%

+
distribution was nearly equal. Nearly 70% 9

of the treated patients mentioned impro-

0%

vements (first figure). No Change Improvement Cerebral Palsy

The type of improvements included a de- Type of improvements CP

Upper extremities (n=21/N=30)
crease of spasticity, a better coordination,
100%

an increase in motor function, an increase 90%

in posture stability and an improvement in

80%

70%

mental functions resulting in improved 60%

50%

communication. Sitting alone, standing 40%

30%

alone and even walking without help 20% No

were reported. Improvement of articula- 10%

57,1 % 66,7 % 71,4 % 28,6 % 61,9 %

Yes

0%

tion and the ability to speak better was

s

s
g
d

er

er

er
llin
an

ng

ng

ng
pi
/h

/fi

/fi

/fi
ts
m

observed in 40% of the responders.

nd

nd

nd
ou
ar

ha

ha

ha
ith
ity

w
tic

ills
tio
us

sk
as

cu
na
r

or
Sp

tte

ld

ot
di
Be
ss

Ho
or

M
Le

co

e
Fin
r
tte

A major decrease or even absence of epi-

Be

leptic seizures was reported in nearly 20%

Type of improvements CP
of the responders. Lower extremities (n=21/N=30)
100%

90%

All the improvements started within 8 80%

weeks after the application of autologous

70%

60%

Stem Cells. The results show no apparent 50%

40%

correlation between the outcome and 30%

No
the number of transplanted stem cells.
20%

10% Yes
42,9 % 42,9 % 62,4 % 33,1 % 19,0 %
0%
et

et

g
et

Conclusions
in

kin
/fe

/fe
/fe

nd

al
gs

gs
gs

sta

w
le

le
le

r
tte
r
e

n
ity

tte
tio
us

Be
tic

Be
na
r
tte
as

di
Sp

Be

or
ss

co
Le

In summary, Autologous Stem Cells injec-

tte
Be

ted in the spinal cavity has shown to have

a strong positive effect on the health CP – Results of Stem Cell Treatment
Duration in weeks before first effects got noticed (n=21/N=30)
status of nearly 70% of the treated pa-
tients. Stem cell transplantation seems to Table 3: Duration in weeks for first Improvements
(n=30)
be a safe and potentially powerful the- Counts Percentage

rapy for this group of patients. Scientific

After first week 6 28,60 %

proof will be obtained by a planned

After second week 3 14,26 %

double blind randomized control clinical

After third week 3 14,26 %

trial. After fourth week 3 14,26 %

After eight weeks 6 28,60 %

References
Total 21 100%

1. Pharoah PO. Epidemiology of cerebral palsy: a review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Jul 1981;74(7):516-520.

2. Westbom L, Hagglund G, Nordmark E. Cerebral palsy in a total population of 4-11 year olds in southern Sweden. Prevalence and distribution according
to different CP classification systems. BMC pediatrics. 2007;7:41.

3. O'Shea TM. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cerebral palsy. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology. Dec 2008;51(4):816-828.

4. Goldman SA, Schanz S, Windrem MS. Stem cell-based strategies for treating pediatric disorders of myelin. Human molecular genetics. Apr 15
2008;17(R1):R76-83.