Cell therapy for brain injury shows promise in clinical trial

Army-funded work hopes to translate stem cell findings into novel treatment approach for traumatic brain injury patients

Researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (TX, USA) have demonstrated efficacy of a cellular therapy for traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment. In this clinical study, 20 patients were treated with autologous cell therapy in a dose-escalation format alongside 5 controls. Functional and neurocognitive outcomes were measured and correlated with white matter imaging.

TBI patients in the treatment group demonstrated structural preservation of critical regions of interest, correlating with functional outcomes. In addition, key inflammatory cytokines were observed to be down-regulated, indicating a reduction in the neuroinflammatory response.

“The data derived from this trial moves beyond just testing safety of this approach, “explained Charles S Cox, Jr (University of Texas Health Science Center). “We now have a hint of a treatment effect that mirrors our pre-clinical work, and we are now pursuing this approach in a Phase 2b clinical trial sponsored by the Joint Warfighter Program within the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, as well as our ongoing Phase IIb pediatric severe TBI clinical trial — both using the same autologous cell therapy.”

Written by Hannah Wilson

Source: UTHealth News www.uth.edu/media/story.htm?id=29435ed9-8286-4cf7-9358-64aff0b52892