Current status of cell-mediated regenerative therapies for human spinal cord injury

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

During the past decade, significant advances have been made in refinements for regenerative therapies following human spinal cord injury (SCI). Positive results have been achieved with different types of cells in various clinical studies of SCI. In this review, we summarize recently-completed clinical trials using cell-mediated regenerative therapies for human SCI, together with ongoing trials using neural stem cells. Specifically, clinical studies published in Chinese journals are included. These studies show that current transplantation therapies are relatively safe, and have provided varying degrees of neurological recovery. However, many obstacles exist, hindering the introduction of a specific clinical therapy, including complications and their causes, selection of the target population, and optimization of transplantation material. Despite these and other challenges, with the collaboration of research groups and strong support from various organizations, cell-mediated regenerative therapies will open new perspectives for SCI treatment.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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