Transplantation of neural precursor cells in the treatment for parkinson disease: an efficacy and safety analysis

Abstract

and psychiatric problems. Recent studies demonstrated that transplantation of all kinds of human stem cells into patients with PD could help replacing endogenous degenerating dopamine (DA) neurons and ameliorate the clinical symptoms of PD (2, 6, 7).Recent studies have revealed the successful reversal of parkinsonian symptoms in monkeys, rats, and patients with PD after transplantation of different kinds of stem cells (18,22,23,24). However, the safety and valuation of transplantation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) remains controversial.A boy with ataxia telangiectasia (AT) was treated not only with intracerebellar but intrathecal injection of human fetal NPCs. Four years after the transplantation he came with a multifocal brain tumor. Molecular and cytogenetic genetics detectionsParkinson's disease (PD), also called parkinsonism, is the most common central nervous system degenerative disease secondary to dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), decrease in the synthesis of dopamine and excitation of acetylcholine (24). Most evident symptoms are movement-related, including movement disorders, tremor and rigidity.Gradually, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the last phases of the disease, whereas depression is the most common psychiatric symptom.Dementia and depression will heavily influence the quality of patient lives. Other symptoms include sensory, emotional AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical safety, feasibility and efficacy of transplantation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIAL and METHODS:Twenty-one patients, aged 42-79 years (median age 57.33 years), participated in the study. A total of 3 × 107 NPCs in 0.25 ml were deposited unilaterally into the striatum. To access the effectiveness of first transplantation surgery, comparisons between the resulting pre-first surgery evaluation and pre-second surgery evaluation were made with repeatedmeasures analysis of variance. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn-Yahr, PDQ-39 and Schwab-England Scores were used to evaluate the Parkinson patients' neurofunctions. Four aspects were used to assess the possible side effects of transplantation: a) tumor formation, b) immune rejection and use of immunosuppressant, c) graft induced complication and d) delivery related side effects. RESULTS:This study demonstrated that the symptoms of PD patients were statistically improved after transplantation (P<0.01). There were no obvious side effects of transplantation. CONCLUSION:Transplantation of neural precursor cells may be a valid and safe treatment method for Parkinson's Disease.

MicroRNA‐132 directs human periodontal ligament‐derived neural crest stem cell neural differentiation

“…Up to date, there are 108 registered clinical trials on MSCs (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), all of which are based on their neuroprotective effects (Ng et al, ). Apart from MSCs, human neural stem cells have also been used to treat patients with Parkinson disease, traumatic spinal cord injury, and chronic ischaemic stroke based on the cell replacement therapy (Kalladka, Sinden, Pollock, et al, ; Lige & Zengmin, ; Shin, Kim, Yoo, et al, ). Yet, adult stem cell‐derived neural cells have not been attempted for the cell replacement therapy.…”

A Comparison of Stem Cell Therapies for Parkinson Disease

“…In addition, there were no graft-induced or delivery-related adverse effects. 13 While this particular study seemed to indicate transplantation success, other studies have shown variable outcomes. Most studies have reported that patients experienced moderate improvement, while others have described less well tolerated transplantation procedures.…”

“…12 While this study provided proof of principle, human clinical trials remain invaluable when evaluating the safety of new treatment options. A study by Lige et al 13 examined the potential adverse effects of NSC transplantation into patients diagnosed as having PD. The study used NSCs derived from embryonic stem cells to transplant into the patients, ranging from 42 to 79 years of age.…”

Current progress in the derivation and therapeutic application of neural stem cells

“… 55 , 56 As Lmx1a contributes to NSC differentiation into dopamine neurons, the transplantation of Lmx1a -overexpressing iNSCs markedly enhances the efficiency of dopamine neuron production and elicits therapeutic effects in a PD mouse model. 57 Although NSC transplantation in PD animal models has shown a certain degree of benefit, 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 additional studies are required to elucidate its clinical efficacy and safety. To date, one report has verified that human parthenogenetic stem cell-derived NSCs (hpNSCs) can successfully engraft, survive long-term and increase dopamine levels in the brains of rodent and nonhuman primate models of PD.…”