Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI), a neurological injury is associated with permanent disability and decreased life expectancy. Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold potential for differentiation and can provide neuronal or glial cells. The present study evaluated efficacy and safety of hESC in patients with SCI. This was a retrospective study conducted in patients with SCI treated with hESC therapy. Patients entered the first treatment phase (T1, 8-Week for paraplegics and 12-weeks for quadriplegics) where 0.25 mL (<4 million cells) hESCs were administered intramuscularly twice daily, 1 mL (<16 million cells) every 10 days intravenously and 1 to 5 ml (depending on the route of administration) every 7 days through supplemental routes (intrathecal, epidural, caudal, brachial plexus block, popliteal block or deep spinal muscle). After 4-8 months (gap period), patients entered second and third treatment phases (T2 and T3). Patients also received physiotherapy and or occupational therapy. A total of 226 patients [quadriplegic patients (90), paraplegic patients (136)] were analyzed. Of 153 patients in ASIA scale A at beginning of T1, 80 (52.3%) moved to lower scales (scale B-15%, scale C-37.3%) at the end of T1. Of 32 patients in ASIA scale A before T2, 12 (37.5%) moved to scale B by the end of T2. Of 19 patients at start of T3, 8 were in ASIA scale A; 3 (37.5%) moved to scale B at the end of T3. No death or SAE were observed. The hESC transplantation in SCI is safe and effective and improves clinical condition of patients.

Biography

Geeta Shroff, the Founder of Nutech Mediworld, New Delhi, India has developed hESCs therapy. She is a Graduate in Medicine from the University of Delhi and her Post-graduation is in Gynecology & Obstetrics. Since 2002, more than 1300 patients suffering from various incurable conditions have been treated using hESCs. She has presented her work at various national and international forums. She has recently published several studies on the use of hESC therapy in the treatment of patients with cortico visual impairment, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, Lyme disease, Friedrich ataxia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinocerebellar ataxia. She envisions making hESC therapy available globally for many of mankind’s worst afflictions.

Email: geetashroff@hotmail.com