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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Intra-Arterial Delivery of Neural Stem Cells to the Rat and Mouse Brain: Application to Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: June 26, 2020
Intra-Arterial Immunoselected CD34+ Stem Cells for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Soma Banerjee1, Paul Bentley2, Mohammad Hamady2
1Department of Stroke Medicine, Clinical Neurosciences, Department of Interventional Radiology, Stem Cell Transplant Unit, and Department of Haematology, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Services Trust, London, United Kingdom; Departments of Surgery and Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals National Health Services Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom sbanerjee73@hotmail.com.
This study shows that intra-arterial delivery of autologous CD34+ stem cells is a safe and feasible treatment for acute ischemic stroke patients. The therapy improved functional recovery and reduced lesion volume in a 6-month follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neurology
- Stem Cell Therapy
Background:
- CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis.
- Previous studies in animal models showed functional recovery after ischemic stroke.
- This is the first study to assess CD34+ cell therapy in human subjects with acute ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the safety and feasibility of intra-arterial CD34+ cell therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
- To evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in improving functional recovery and reducing lesion volume.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, nonrandomized, open-label, phase I clinical trial.
- Autologous, immunoselected CD34+ stem/progenitor cells collected from bone marrow.
- Intra-arterial delivery via catheter angiography into the ipsilesional middle cerebral artery within 7 days of stroke onset.
- Inclusion criteria: severe anterior circulation ischemic stroke (NIHSS score ≥8).
Main Results:
- The procedure was well tolerated in all five treated patients.
- No significant treatment-related adverse effects were observed.
- All patients demonstrated improvements in Modified Rankin Score and NIHSS scores.
- A reduction in lesion volume was observed during the 6-month follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Autologous CD34+ stem cell therapy delivered intra-arterially is safe and feasible for acute ischemic stroke.
- The treatment led to improved clinical outcomes and reduced infarct size.
- Further research is needed to optimize eligibility criteria, dosage, delivery, and timing for larger trials.
