Preliminary report of multiple cell therapy for patients with multiple system atrophy.

The aim of this study is to explore the safety and therapeutic effect of multiple cell transplantations on patients with multiple system atrophy. Ten patients suffering from multiple system atrophy were treated by multiple cell transplantations from August 2005 to March 2011. They were six males and four females, with an average age of 51.90 ± 12.92 years (23-66 years). Multiple cell types were transplanted by intravenous, intrathecal, and intracranial routes; for example, 0.4-0.5 × 10(6)/kg umbilical cord mesenchymal cells by intravenous drip, intrathecal implantation of 2.0 × 10(6) Schwann cells and 2.0-5.0 × 10(6) neural progenitor cells through cerebellar cistern puncture, or 2 × 10(6) olfactory ensheathing cells and 4 × 10(6) neural progenitor cells injected into key points for neural network restoration (KPNNR). The neurological function was assessed before and after treatment with the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) by the World Federation of Neurology and the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS). The patients achieved neurological function amelioration after treatment, which included improvements in walking ability, gaits, standing, speech, and muscular tension; the ICARS score decreased from a preoperative 46.30 ± 14.50 points to postoperative 41.90 ± 18.40 points (p = 0.049). The UMSARS score decreased from preoperative 50.00 ± 20.65 points to postoperative 46.56 ± 23.05 points (p = 0.037). Among them, two patients remained stable and underwent a second treatment 0.5-1 year after the first therapy. After treatment, five patients were followed up for more than 6 months. Balance and walking ability improved further in four patients, while one patient remained stable for over 6 months. In conclusion, a strategy of comprehensive cell-based neurorestorative therapy for patients with multiple system atrophy is safe and appears to be beneficial. This manuscript is published as part of the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR) supplement issue of Cell Transplantation.