Autologous skin derived stem cells and platelet-rich plasma as treatment for Traumatic spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a devastating loss of neurological function and in psychologically shattering condition that affects young healthy people that are in their most productive years. Currently, there are over 2 million SCI patients worldwide and at present, there are no universally accepted treatments for this neurological disorder. Recently, particular attention is paid to the potential of stem cells in treating SCI, but there are only few clinical studies and insufficient data. This clinical study explored the feasibility and efficacy of autologous skin derived stem cells (SDSCs) transplantation in two patients with complete and chronic spinal cord injury. We hypothesized that the combination of autologous SDSCs as accessible sources of stem cells combining with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), rich of growth factors, was a possible treatment of SCI. PRP behave as natural scaffold and is able to improve stem cells survival, proliferation and axon regeneration and remyelination. Preoperative and postoperative neurological functions were evaluated with neurological clinical examination, MRI, and electrophysiological studies every two months after the treatment for one years. Results showed that in the treated patients had a clinical improvement in terms of pin prick sensory and sphincter control. No signs of adverse events such as wound infection, and no sign of tumor were evident until 6 months postoperatively.