Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a pilot study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no effective treatment. Stem cell therapy may be one of the promising treatment options for such patients.

To assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in patients of ALS.

We conducted an open-label pilot study of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells in patients with ALS attending the Neurology Clinic of a tertiary care referral centre.

Ten patients with ALS with mean revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score of 30.2 (± 10.58) at baseline received intrathecal autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells. Primary end point was improvement in the ALSFRS-R score at 90, 180, 270 and 365 days post therapy. Secondary endpoints included ALSFRS-R subscores, time to 4-point deterioration, median survival and reported adverse events. Paired t-test was used to compare changes in ALSFRS-R from baseline and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival calculations.

There was no significant deterioration in ALSFRS-R composite score from baseline at one-year follow-up (P=0.090). The median survival post procedure was 18.0 months and median time to 4-point deterioration was 16.7 months. No significant adverse events were reported.

Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy is safe and feasible in patients of ALS. Short-term follow-up of ALSFRS-R scores suggests a trend towards stabilization of disease. However, the benefit needs to be confirmed in the long-term follow-up period.