Table 2 Cell therapy for spinal cord injury

Autologous mesenchymal stem cell

Secrete nutritional factors, anti-inflammatory, anti-toxic, anti-apoptotic, immune regulation, and promotion of angiogenesis

Oh et al. (Phase III)²⁸²

16 subjects with traumatic cervical SCI

2 (12.5%) of the 16 patients showed improvement in motor grade of the upper extremities; no changes were noted in the other 14 patients (87.5%) at the 6-month follow-up

No serious adverse reactions;8 patients experienced mild adverse reactions (paresthesia, muscle stiffness, etc.), and these symptoms were relieved within a few months

Autologous human Schwann cell

Secrete nutritional factors, anti-inflammatory, remyelination, regulation of extracellular matrix and inhibition of scar formation

Anderson et al. (Phase I)²⁸³

6 subjects with subacute thoracic SCI

No change in bladder and bowel control;subjects converted to AIS B had detectable motor evoked potentials in both legs at 6 months and 12 months

No clear indications of adverse events related to nerve harvesting, the cell transplantation process, or the presence of cells in the spinal cord

NSI-566 neural stem cell line

Secrete nutritional factors, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of apoptosis and the formation of glial scars.

Curtis et al. (Phase I)²⁸⁴

4 subjects with T2-T12 SCI

3 subjects have improved sensory and motor function;1 subject with no any change, the quality of life scores of all subjects did not change

No immediate or delayed complications; no new spinal cord or soft tissue edema, swelling development, or fluid accumulation after surgery

Human neural stem cell

Secrete nutritional factors, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of apoptosis and the formation of glial scars

Levi et al. (Phase II)²⁸⁵

31 subjects with chronic cervical SCI

There is a trend of UEMS and GRASSP exercise gains among the treated participants, but the magnitude is below the required clinical efficacy threshold

No new spinal cord injury or new injury was found

Umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell

Regulation of inflammation, promotion of pericyte migration, reduction of scar formation, and promotion of axon regeneration

Zhu et al. (Phase I–II)²⁸⁶

28 subjects with chronic complete SCI

Some patients’ independence in activities of daily living increased, more than half of the patients resumed walking with or no assistance

22 patients had adverse events (neuropathic pain,

hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and etc.)

Autologous olfactory ensheathing cells

Remyelination, nutritional support, neuroprotection, promotion of axon regeneration, regulation of extracellular matrix, promotion of angiogenesis, and inhibition of scar formation

Tabakow et al. (Phase I)²⁸⁷

6 subjects with chronic thoracic SCI

Patients undergoing surgery have improved spinal cord transmission and lower extremity muscle activity

No evidence of nerve deterioration, neuropathic pain, nerve infection, or tumor formation