Stem cell therapy for peripheral nerve injury: illustrative cases

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Preclinical research indicates stem cell therapy can promote peripheral nerve regeneration.
• A rise in commercial stem cell therapies for peripheral nerve injury (PNI) lacks robust clinical evidence for safety and efficacy.
• Patients are increasingly seeking unproven stem cell treatments for PNI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of stem cell therapy in patients with traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.
• To assess the effectiveness of different stem cell administration routes for PNI.

Main Methods:

• Case series of 5 patients with traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.
• Patients received stem cell therapy through various routes including intramuscular, perineural, intrathecal, and intravenous administration prior to evaluation.
• Long-term follow-up was conducted to assess functional improvement.

Main Results:

• No objective functional improvement was observed in any of the 5 patients at long-term follow-up.
• The study highlights a discrepancy between preclinical promise and clinical outcomes in this small cohort.

Conclusions:

• High-quality studies are crucial to establish the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapies for PNI.
• Academic surgeons should increase engagement on social media to educate and lead discussions on emerging treatments.
• Patient education and informed decision-making are paramount in the context of unproven stem cell therapies for peripheral nerve injuries.