Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Disease progression, severity and specific symptoms are unpredictable and vary from one patient to another.
Generally, the process of diagnosing MS involves; obtaining evidence from patient history, clinical examinations, a variety of laboratory tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The traditional treatment for MS has limited effectiveness.
The ideal treatment for MS should involve both attenuation of inflammatory responses and induction of tissue protection/regeneration within the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Stem cell based therapy is considered promising for the treatment of MS. The major mechanism of action of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) therapy is to inhibit various components of the immune system that contribute to tissue damage. MSCs can access the injured CNS where they can provide protection against tissue damage and may facilitate tissue regeneration.
The University of Jordan has supported two clinical trials conducted in the Cell Therapy Center, investigating the use MSCs in the treatment of MS patients
MS Clinical Trial 1:
Aims: Assessment of the safety and efficacy of injecting autologous bone marrow derived MSCs to MS patients who failed to respond to conventional treatment.
Results: The trial was conducted in 3 years. Data analysis of 10 patients showed disease stability and encouraging results with a very good safety record after 12 months follow up. Detailed results were published in the paper entitled: Mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned media in the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients: Clinical, ophthalmological assessmentsof safety and efficacy.
The results were published in the following article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28961381/
MS Clinical Trial 2:
Aims: Examining the safety and efficacy of the treatment with allogeneic MSCs and supervised physical therapy PT program on motor and non-motor symptoms in MS patients.
The results were published in the following articles: