A Study of UCB and MSCs in Children With CP: ACCeNT-CP

This study is a phase I/II, prospective, randomized, open-label trial designed to determine the effect size of change in GMFM-66 score in subjects treated with hCT-MSC or allogeneic CB and assess the safety of repeated doses of hCT-MSC in children with cerebral palsy. Children ages 2-5 years with cerebral palsy due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, stroke, or periventricular leukomalacia may be eligible to participate. All participants will ultimately be treated with an allogeneic cell product at some point during the study. Participants will be randomized to one of three arms: (1) the "AlloCB" arm will receive one allogeneic CB infusion at the baseline visit; (2) the "MSC" arm will receive three hCT-MSC infusions, one each at baseline, three months, and six months; (3) the "natural history" arm will not receive an infusion at baseline but will receive an allogeneic CB infusion at 12 months. Motor outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, six-months, and one-year time points. Safety will be evaluated at each infusion visit and remotely for an additional 12 months after the final visit. Duration of study participation will be 24 months from the time of baseline visit. Randomization to treatment arms will be stratified by GMFCS level at study entry and etiology of CP (Stroke vs. Other).

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥24 months and ≤60 months adjusted age at the time of enrollment.
• Diagnosis: Unilateral or bilateral hypertonic cerebral palsy secondary to in utero or perinatal stroke/hemorrhage, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (including, but not limited to, birth asphyxia), and/or periventricular leukomalacia.
• Performance status: Gross Motor Function Classification Score levels I - IV
• Review of brain imaging (obtained as standard of care prior to study entry) does not suggest a genetic condition or brain malformation.
• Legal authorized representative consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Available qualified autologous cord blood unit.
• Hypotonic or ataxic cerebral palsy without spasticity.
• Autism and autistic spectrum disorders.
• Hypsarrhythmia.
• Legally blind
• Intractable seizures causing epileptic encephalopathy.
• Evidence of a progressive neurologic disease.
• Has an active, uncontrolled systemic infection or documentation of HIV+ status.
• Known genetic disease or phenotypic evidence of a genetic disease on physical exam.
• Concurrent genetic or acquired disease or comorbidity(ies) that could require a future allogeneic stem cell transplant.
• Requires ventilatory support, including home ventilator, CPAP, BiPAP, or supplemental oxygen.
• Impaired renal or liver function as determined by serum creatinine >1.5mg/dL and/or total bilirubin >1.3mg/dL except in patients with known Gilbert's disease.
• Possible immunosuppression, defined as WBC <3,000 cells/mL or absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) <1500 with abnormal T-cell subsets.
• Patient's medical condition does not permit safe travel.
• Previously received any form of cellular therapy.