A clinical study, developed by researchers from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), has shown that collecting i umbilical cord blood cells to then give them to a brother with cerebral palsy it is a safe procedure. The study was funded by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation and from Cell Care cord blood bank.
The results of the Research have been published in the scientific journal Cytotherapy.
Umbilical cord blood cells can improve brain injuries
The researcher of Murdoch Children, the doctor Kylie Cromptonsaid that while there was no cure for cerebral palsy, umbilical cord blood cells have the potential to improve brain injury and gross motor function due to their ability to activate repair processes and regenerate certain tissues in the human body.
“Our study found that infusion of matched umbilical cord blood cells in children with cerebral palsy is a relatively safe procedure, however it should only be conducted in tertiary hospitals with facilities to treat the rare adverse reactions.“, Said the researcher.
The Phase I clinical trial recruited 12 participants, aged 1-16, from across Australia who had a sibling’s umbilical cord blood cells transferred and monitored for 12 months post-infusion .
Most of the participants, observed for one year, showed a typical developmental progress for children with cerebral palsy. Improvements in gross motor function were observed in three infants three months after the infusion. Any changes were less pronounced a year later.
The Dr. Crompton stated that the greatest improvements in gross motor skills were seen in younger children who had not yet reached 90% of the predicted gross motor skill potential: “This suggests that the intervention may be more effective in the first few years of life. To find out if this is the case, we and other researchers are now planning further trials to better understand these effects“.
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the developing brain while in utero, during birth, or in the first few years of life. Congenital disease affects approximately two in 1,000 live births worldwide, making it the most common physical disability in childhood. An Australian baby is born with cerebral palsy every 20 hours.
The teacher Dinah Reddihough of Murdoch Children’s explained that the findings were a valuable stepping stone to establishing the safety and feasibility of using umbilical cord blood cells in treating cerebral palsy. However, not all children with cerebral palsy will have fully matched sibling cells available:“Investigating a cellular product available to the broader cerebral palsy community, rather than just those with matched siblings who have preserved umbilical cord blood cells, is an important next step.”Reddihough added.
“Further research is also needed to investigate whether different forms of cerebral palsy are more likely to change after infusion of umbilical cord blood cells, what cell dose is needed, and whether multiple doses would provide a better result.“.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Charlotte at the age of two was able to hold a bottle or pen in her hands, communicate verbally, and had yet to take her first steps. After taking part in the clinical study, Mom Laura West stated it was like “A light switch had been turned on “However, Ms. West added that Charlotte’s development progression has slowed over time since the infusion.
Ms. West said the changes in Charlotte, who was now seven, were evident after starting cell infusion: “Charlotte was pretty static in her development and progress until the infusion and then we saw this noticeable difference“.
“At first it was amazing and then it stabilized in constant improvement. Charlotte has always been fed through a tube, but she quickly learned to drink from a bottle. We never thought she would be able to hold a pencil correctly, but then suddenly she was holding it correctly.“.
“She went from being propped up on cushions to sitting, standing and running. It was great to see her so independent and able to do these things on her own. The rate of change in Charlotte in the immediate aftermath was so pronounced, but now her development has slowed to small steps. We are pleased that the researchers will continue work to see if the intervention can be more effective in the first years of life, which will give hope to other families.“Concluded Ms West.
The teacher Nadia BadawiPresident ofCerebral Palsy Research Alliance at the University of Sydneystated that we are faced with fundamental scientific research, which has provided a new understanding of how the blood cells of the umbilical cord could one day be exploited to improve the quality of life of children with this disorder.
“We are indebted to the children and their families who participated in this research and who helped pave the way for many future trials.“Said Nadia Badawi.
“At Cerebral Palsy Alliance, we are committed to conducting research that empowers people with cerebral palsy and their families. From our community survey, we know that people with cerebral palsy and their families want more research on potential therapies and this study is a major step forward in demonstrating the safety of using umbilical cord blood cells in an Australian hospital. “concluded the professor.
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