Autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells for treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The purpose of this clinical trial was to assess the safety and efficacy of intraspinal infusion of autologous mononuclear bone marrow-derived stem cells (BM-MNCs) to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Spinal cord pathological analysis showed a greater number of motoneurons in the treated segments compared with the untreated segments. In the treated segments, motoneurons were surrounded by CD90+ cells and did not show degenerative ubiquitin deposits. These findings confirm the feasibility and safety of the intraspinal infusion of BM-MNCs and provide strong evidence of their neurotrophic activity in ALS patients.