Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Multiple Sclerosis

To date, there is no effective therapy to cure multiple sclerosis (MS). Immunomodulatory therapies are useful in reducing the frequency of inflammatory processes (relapses) but don't delay significantly the progression of the disease, prevent long term disability or induce the repair of damaged tissue. This proposal contemplates the use of adult autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) as an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat patients with active MS. This is a randomized, double blind, crossover clinical trial in which 8 patients with active forms of MS and moderate disability will enter the trial with the primary objective of assessing the safety and tolerability of a single intravenous infusion of BM-MSC. Secondary objectives are to assess the efficacy by gadolinium enhancing lesions though magnetic resonance imaging, neurophysiological effects and immunological effects. Once randomized, patients will undergo BM extraction and once confirmed the availability of the needed dose, they will be randomized to one of the 2 treatment arms (BM-MSC named XCEL-MC-ALPHA, or placebo). XCEL-MC-ALPHA will be cryopreserved for all patients regardless the allocated arm. At month 6, the treatment will be crossed. Patients will be evaluated at month 12 and will be followed-up for a total of 3 years.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients between 18 and 60 years of age
• Patients with MS
• Relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive MS
• Patients to whom are not indicated or are not in a position to initiate treatment with disease-modifying drugs
• Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDDS) score <6.5
• Nine T2 lesions at least
• Active multiple sclerosis as defined either by 1 outbreak in the last year or at least one Gadolinium-enhancing lesion in the last 6 months
• Signed informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

• Interferon beta or glatiramer acetate 3 months prior the screening
• Natalizumab or fingolimod in the 6 months prior the screening
• Mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide or other immunosuppressive therapy at any time
• Has received an experimental treatment within 3 months prior the screening
• MS outbreak within the 4 weeks prior the randomization
• Serum creatinine> 2.0 mg/dl
• Infectious disease active or uncontrolled
• Fertile patients who are not using a suitable method of contraception
• Pregnant or lactating woman
• Immunodeficiency
• Positive serology to HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or syphilis