A stem cell treatment improved the neurological symptoms of three-fourths of the multiple sclerosis patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial, New York researchers reported.

The results prompted the team at the Tisch MS Research Center of New York to start a Phase 2 trial to further assess the therapy’s safety and effectiveness.

Injecting mesenchymal stem cell-derived nerve cell progenitors directly into the spinal canal also improved the muscle strength and bladder function of many of the 20 progressive MS patients.

The study, “Phase I Trial of Intrathecal Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitors in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis,” was published in the journal EBioMedicine.

Eighty percent, or 16, of the patients in the open-label trial (NCT01933802) had secondary progressive MS.

Half were unable to walk at the beginning of the study, and had EDSS disability scores of 7 or higher. Eight required assistance to walk, and had EDSS scores of 6 to 6.5. Two were able to walk without assistance, with EDSS scores between 3.5 and 5.5. EDSS stands for Expanded Disability Status Scale.

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