From Lab to Lumbar: Exciting New Stem Cell Research from Yale and Japan

            This morning, Yale News announced the release of an exciting research investigation into the therapeutic use of stem cell injections for treating patients with spinal cord injuries. The research project, conducted between the Yale School of Medicine and Sapporo Medical University in Japan, focused on the efficacy of intravenous injections of stem cells into patients with severe spinal cord injuries. At this point in time, spinal cord injuries have left medical providers with little options for treatment. The problem boils down to the nervous system’s inability to regenerate itself after traumatic injuries. Once the cells of the human central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are damaged, they cannot repair themselves like most body cells. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting information between our brain and our body and, If damaged, results in the loss of communication. For example, if the spinal cord in the neck is severed, the tissues below the injury lose contact with the brain resulting in a loss of function. This plays out as total paralysis of the body and an extremely difficult life for the patient.

            This new research investigated the outcome of thirteen patients who received an experimental product, Stemirac ® as an I.V. injection. Stemirac ® is a  regenerative medicine product that uses stem cells derived from human bone marrow. These cells are grown in the lab and then administered to patients through an I.V. injection. Once inside a patient's blood stream, these cells migrate throughout a the body and ultimately to the point of injury. Below is an image found on Sapporo Medical University Hosptial's official Stemirac information page. 

“The Flow of Treatment” – Sapporo Medical University Hospital 

Website:https://web.sapmed.ac.jp/hospital/topics/news/stemirac.html

            The journal article included case studies covering 13 patients who were diagnosed with a spinal cord injury and then given a full dose of Stemirac. Their function and  was carefully tracked following their injection and improvements in their system were recorded. Below, a before an after comparison of a patients spinal cord function shows the patients progress following injection. The color coding system shows the function and sensation experienced by the patient, red as minimal and green as normal. The image below, covering Case 9, shows a before and after of a patient who experienced a spinal cord injury during a skiing accident. The patient was bedridden with a stabilized injury level well below normal function.  Following the initial assessment, a Stemirac injection was administered and the patients progress was recorded over 24 weeks. Remarkably, by the end of 18 weeks, patient was beginning to walk using a supported training system.

3.1.9. Case 9 (Fig. 10) 

From Journal:  

           " A 43-year-old man fell and hyperextended his neck while skiing, resulting in a C5 SCI (AIS B). MRI demonstrated cervical canal stenosis and high intensity area in the spinal cord without bone injury (arrows). Expansive laminoplasty (C3-C6) was performed one day after SCI. The patient’s scores plateaued prior to MSC infusion and AIS score was B and he was bedridden. He received 1.06 × 10⁸ autologous MSCs 51 days after SCI. One day after MSC infusion, rapid improvements in motor and sensory"

 My Opinion: 

In my previously Youtube video, Of Mice and Stem, I underwent a bone marrow aspiration to harvest and store my own hematopoietic (bone marrow derived) stem cells. I am excited about the possibility of using my own stem cells therapeutically in the future and am constantly on the look out for new research. In my opinion, this project shows the potential we have in harnessing the power of stem cell therapy. This research project reminds me of research conducted by The W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, founded by the world-renowned Dr. Wise Young, MD., PhD.. Dr. Wise gained fame for creating his own  protocol that administered stem cells directly into the spinal cord of patients paralyzed below the waste. These patients followed their injection with intensive physical therapy regiments. Many patients reported substantial improvements in their gate (walking) function. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a new treatment option for spinal cord injuries and am excited to see how these universities build upon this exciting new research.

By: Chris Baldasano, MS

Work Cited: 

Yale Article:

https://news.yale.edu/2021/02/22/yale-scientists-repair-injured-spinal-cord-using-patients-own-stem-cells

Journal Citation:

1. Honmou O, Yamashita T, Morita T, et al. Intravenous Infusion of Auto Serum-expanded Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Injury Patients: 13 Case Series. Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. Published online 2021:106565-. doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106565