Effects of Repeated Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) in Patients With Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

An open prospective study with multiple intrathecal or intravenous injections of autologous MSC in 24 patients with progressive forms of MS (secondary progressive, primary progressive or relapsing-progressive), who failed to respond to first and second lines of immunomodulatory treatments and deteriorated (at least 0.5 degree in the EDSS scale) during the year preceding their inclusion to our study or had at least one major relapse without sufficient recovery. Patients will be treated with 1x10 million MSC per kg of body weight, intrathecally and intravenously and subsequently with up to 8 courses of IT- or IV-injections of MSC (at the same dose), at intervals of 6-12 months. The duration of the trial is 4 years.

Patients will be followed up every 3 months for the whole duration of the trial, for safety assessment and changes in the disability scores (EDSS).

Immunological analysis will be performed at 4 time points (day 1, month 1, month 3 and month 6) following the first MSC-treatment and will include a fluorescent cell sorter (FACS) analysis to evaluate the proportions of the lymphocytes expressing markers of immune activation or of regulatory cell phenotype.

Inclusion criteria

• Consenting patients fulfilling the Poser's criteria for definite MS
• Age 18-70
• Male and female
• EDSS rate 5.5-7.5 (moderate to high disability)
• Failure to two lines of the currently available registered immunomodulatory treatments for MS. The lack of response to these treatments was determined by either an increase in EDSS or the appearance of at least two relapses of MS during the year prior to inclusion.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who were treated with cytotoxic medications during the last three months prior to the infusion.
• Patients suffering from significant cardiac, renal or hepatic failure or any other disease that may risk the patient or interfere with the ability to interpret the results.
• Patients with active infections.
• Patients with cognitive decline or inability to understand and sign the informed consent.