Allogeneic Cord Blood Cells for Adults With Severe Acute Contusion Spinal Cord Injury

All potential adverse events were analyzed during the first year after SCI. All adverse events (AEs) were classified using CTCAE v5.0 classification system in each of 10 patients of pilot group.

Severity of AEs: Grade 1 - mild; asymptomatic or mild symptoms, clinical or diagnostic observations only, intervention not indicated; Grade 2 - moderate; minimal, local or noninvasive intervention indicated; limiting age-appropriate instrumental ADL; Grade 3 - severe or medically significant but not immediately life-threatening, hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization indicated, disabling, limiting self care ADL; Grade 4 - life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated; Grade 5 - death related to AE.

Relationship to the investigated therapy method: Degree 1 - unrelated; Degree 2 - possibly related; Degree 3 - probably related; Degree 4 - definitely related.

Dynamics of neurological deficit level within 1 year after SCI was analyzed using ASIA clinical scale: ASIA A - total motor and sensory impairment; ASIA B - total motor impairment and partial sensory impairment below SCI level or pelvic sensitivity preserved; ASIA C - incomplete motor (at least half of key muscle strength less than 3 points) and sensory impairment; ASIA D - incomplete motor (at least half of key muscle strength more than 3 points) and sensory impairment; ASIA E - normal. Neurological deficit level was compared between pilot and control groups.

Quality of life level was assessed within 1 year after SCI using FIM (functional impairment) scale. FIM scale evaluates 5 groups of parameters including motor functions and self-service, mobility, motion level, pelvic functions and intellectual functions (e.g. communication and social activity). Each group includes several parameters assessed using point system (maximum 7 points for each parameter). A total sum of points is counted and compared between pilot and control groups.

A dynamics of motor deficit was assessed using standard scale of key muscle strength. Two groups of parameters were considered including upper extremities strength (UEMS) and lower extremities strength (LEMS). Since patients with different SCI levels were included into the study (both cervical and thoracic/lumbar cone) LEMS parameter is more significant.

Upper key muscles: C5 - biceps, С6 - wrist extensors, C7 - triceps, C8 - fingers flexors, Th1 - V finger abductor. Lower key muscles: L2 - m. psoas, L3 - quadriceps, L4 - m. tibialis anterior, L5 - I toe extensor, S1 - gastrocnemius.

Both LEMS and cumulative (UEMS + LEMS) parameters were compared.

Patients ability to verticalize independently and mobility level were analyzed. First is determined by patient's ability to get up and stand more than 10 seconds without assistance. Second is determined by patient's ability to move without assistance depending on the distance: grade 1 - less than 10 m; grade 2 - less than 50 m; grade 3 - less than 100 m' grade 4 - 100 - 500 m; grade 5 - more than 500 m.

Spasticity level of lower extremities muscles was assessed using modified Ashworth scale. Grade 0 - no spasticity. Grade 1 - slight elevation of muscle tone, minimal tension at the end of movement amplitude during flexion and extension; Grade 1+ - slight elevation of muscle tone, minimal tension at least at half of movement amplitude. Grade 2 - moderate elevation of muscle tone during whole movement, but passive movements are not obstructed. Grade 3 - significant elevation of muscle tone, passive movements are partially obstructed. Grade 4 - rigid limb position in flexion or extension (contracture).

Frequency of pelvic function disorders was assessed. Analysis included 2 parameters: (i) feeling of bladder filling and (ii) urinary inconsistence. First parameter is determined by patient's subjective feeling of bladder filling correlating to ultrasound confirmation of full bladder.

Frequency of pelvic function disorders was assessed. Analysis included 2 parameters: (i) feeling of bladder filling and (ii) urinary inconsistence. Second parameter is determined by patient's ability for passive self-urination without application of any devices (e.g. urinary catheters, medical condoms or cystostomy).

Spinal cord conductive function restoration was assessed using electrophysiological examination. Electroneuromyography supplemented with transcranial magnetic stimulation was performed to assess the level of signal conduction through the injured spinal cord. Significant diversity of SCI levels and baseline neurological deficit resulted in low significance of individual ENMG parameters comparison. Therefore only the parameters of conduction arrest was considered including (i) No conduction arrest (total or subtotal preservation of the overlay signal), (ii) Partial conduction arrest (decreased overlay signal) and (iii) Total conduction arrest (no overlay signal).