Intravenous infusion of auto-serum-expanded autologous mesenchymal stem cells into chronic severe brain injury patients

Objective

This study explores safety, feasibility, and potential improvement in functional status after intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in chronic severe brain injury (BI) patients.

Methods

An intravenous infusion of autologous MSCs in autoserum cultured under Good Manufacturing Practice was delivered to four chronic patients with BI. In addition to assessing feasibility and safety, neurological function was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Barthel Index, and cognitive-related behavioral assessment. Imaging studies with 18F-FDG-PETCT and 11C-methionine-PETCT (METPET) were carried out to evaluate brain metabolic activity.

Results

No serious adverse events were recorded. None of the patients developed CNS tumors, abnormal cell growth, or neurological deterioration. While this initial case series was not blinded, gradual functional improvement was observed after MSC infusion. Serial 11C-METPETs displayed a statistically significant increase in methionine uptake, primarily in the thalamus and pons.

Conclusion

We emphasize that this study was unblinded and did not exclude placebo effects, the contribution of endogenous recovery, or observer bias; however, our observations support feasibility and safety. No adverse events were observed. The data suggests improved quality of life after infused MSCs; however, a blinded, larger-scale study will be necessary to fully address this possibility.