NeuroRegen Scaffolds Combined with Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells for the Repair of Acute Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A 3-Year Clinical Study

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains among the most challenging pathologies worldwide and has limited therapeutic possibilities and a very bleak prognosis. Biomaterials and stem cell transplantation are promising treatments for functional recovery in SCI. Seven patients with acute complete SCI diagnosed by a combination of methods were included in the study, and different lengths (2.0–6.0 cm) of necrotic spinal cord tissue were surgically cleaned under intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. Subsequently, NeuroRegen scaffolds loaded with autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) were implanted into the cleaned site. All patients participated in 6 months of rehabilitation and at least 3 years of clinical follow-up. No adverse symptoms associated with stem cell or functional scaffold implantation were observed during the 3-year follow-up period. Additionally, partial shallow sensory and autonomic nervous functional improvements were observed in some patients, but no motor function recovery was observed. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested that NeuroRegen scaffold implantation supported injured spinal cord continuity after treatment. These findings indicate that implantation of NeuroRegen scaffolds combined with stem cells may serve as a safe and promising clinical treatment for patients with acute complete SCI. However, determining the therapeutic effects and exact application methods still requires further study.