Clinical translation of stem cell based interventions for spinal cord injury - Are we there yet?

Abstract

Recent advances in basic science in research related to spinal cord injury (SCI) and regeneration have led to a variety of novel experimental therapeutics designed to promote functionally effective axonal regrowth and sprouting. Stem cell and other cellular interventions have gained lot of attention due to their immense potential of regeneration. These interventions have been tested for their efficacy in case of SCI both at the pre-clinical and clinical level. In this review we critically discuss the published literature on the cellular interventions for SCI and their clinical applications with respect to the strength of evidence established by these studies. The need to curb unethical practice of offering unproven stem cell "therapies" for SCI at a global level is also discussed.

Keywords: Barriers to regeneration after SCI; Bone marrow; Cellular interventions; Clinical evidence; Clinical trials; Mesenchymal stem cells; Preclinical evidence; Unproven therapies.