Stem Cell Therapy For Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Stroke accounts for significant disability and there is need for novel treatment modality which can improve the functional outcome. In this randomized clinical trial, investigators proposed to examine stem cell therapy as a potential therapeutic modality. Stem cells in animal stroke models have shown reduction in infarct size and improvement in neurological function. Only one human clinical trial with intravenous autologous marrow stromal cell therapy of five patients has shown some benefit. The primary objective of this phase II study was to explore if there is favourable risk to benefit ratio for autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear stem cell therapy (BMSCs) in patients with acute ischemic stroke to justify a larger phase III trial.

Methods & Design: The study recruited 120 men and women aged 18-70 years presenting with acute ischemic stroke (7-29 days) and a NIHSS score of ≥ 7 and BI ≤ 50. Following baseline assessment (MRI Brain, Whole Body PET scan, EEG brain, CT scan Brain and clinical examination including National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Glasgow Come Scale (GCS), participants were randomly allocated to two groups: conventional management alone (control group); or conventional management and autologous intravenous BMSCs transplantation (experimental group). Bone marrow was aspirated under local anaesthesia and the isolated BMSCs cells injected intravenously within 4 hours. The patients were monitored with hemogram & renal/liver function tests, CT scan brain at 36 hrs and clinical examination for a week. The patients were followed up to one year with periodic MRI brain at 3 months, 6 months, EEG & PET scan at 6 months and 1 year. The primary efficacy outcomes were difference between the two groups in the Modified Barthel index score and modified Rankin Scale score at six-month post-randomisation. The secondary efficacy outcomes are: NIHSS score at six-months and 1 year post-randomisation; and the modified Rankin scale score at 3 months and one year post-randomization, and functional status measured by barthel index (in binary scale <60 or >60 ) at six months and one year post-randomization. Dose response analysis were done by comparing outcomes in patients receiving various doses of bone marrow mononuclear cells.

Discussion: This phase 2 study was aimed to explore if there is a favourable risk-to-benefit ratio for stem cell therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Investigators also planned to examine whether there is justification for phase III trial of autologous bone marrow derived mononuclear stem cell therapy for acute ischemic stroke.

Inclusion criteria

Patients will be judged eligible if they have all of the following:

• Sudden onset of focal neurologic deficit or impairment of consciousness,
• Computerized tomographic or MRI scan of the head showing no primary haematoma, and relevant lesions within the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory. Hemorrhagic changes in infarct are acceptable.
• Age between 18 and 75 years
• Seven days or more but less than 30 days since the onset of the qualifying event,
• Glasgow Coma Scale score of above 8 at the time of randomization, in aphasic Eye and Motor score of more than 6,
• Modified Barthel index score of 50 or less at the time of randomization.
• NIHSS score of 7 or more points and inability to walk unaided or raise upper limb by 90 °
• Patient is stable: A patient will be defined as stable when he has normal respiration, is afebrile, has BP less than mean arterial pressure of 125mm Hg (but no hypotension defined as systolic BP <90mmHg), has fasting venous blood sugar level less than 200mg % and normal urea/electrolytes for at least 48 hours.

Exclusion criteria

Patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be considered ineligible for the study if they have any one of the following:

• Lacunar syndrome
• Intubation
• Posterior Circulation Stroke
• Co-morbidity likely to limit survival to less than three years e.g. malignant diseases, hepatic or renal failure
• Pre-stroke disability leading to dependence on others for activities of daily living,
• Inaccessibility for follow-up
• Allergy to local anaesthetic
• Unwillingness to provide written informed consent by self or assent by next of kin.
• Symptom of Acute myocardial infarction or acute involvement of any other organ.
• Pregnancy
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HbsAg positive.
• Patient is a part of any other trial.