Stem cell treatment of Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of non-progressive, non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability and applies to the cerebrum in the brain and the disorder of movement.
The brain damage normally doesn't worsen, but secondary diseases are very common. Most notable are various orthopedic difficulties and motor disorders, arthritis and osteoporosis.
Cerebral palsy cannot be cured. Standard treatments include drugs, mechanical aids, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. All these approaches are focused at helping the patient overcome developmental disabilities or learn new ways to accomplish difficult tasks.
The Xcell-Center Cerebral Palsy treatment
The XCell-Center's cerebral palsy treatment differs from standard methods because it attacks the root cause of CP inside the brain. Stem cell therapy is a drug-free alternative focused on affecting physical changes in the brain that can improve a child's quality of life.
Almost 70% of the cerebral palsy patients treated with stem cells at the XCell-Center show improvement.
Most cerebral palsy patients are treated by lumbar puncture; injecting the stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid which transports them up the spinal canal and into the brain. A new procedure, by which the stem cells are surgically implanted directly into the brain, is also available.
Lumbar puncture is an outpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany 4 or 5 nights. Direct surgical implantation is an inpatient procedure that requires patients to stay in Germany for about 10 nights.
Bone Marrow Collection
On the
first day, bone marrow is collected from the patient's iliac crest
(hip bone) using thin-needle mini-puncture under local anesthesia.
Although some pain is felt when the needle is inserted, most
patients do not find the bone marrow collection procedure
particularly painful. The entire procedure normally takes about 30
minutes.
Because the bone marrow collection procedure requires patients to sit still, it is performed under general anesthesia for children.
Once the bone marrow collection is complete, patients may return to their hotel and go about normal activities. Patients who receive general anesthesia must lie down for a short recovery period before returning to their hotel.
More detailed information on the bone marrow collection procedure is available in the Bone Marrow Informed Consent document (PDF file).
Laboratory Processing
The next
day, the stem cells are processed from the bone marrow in a
state-of-the-art, government approved (cGMP) laboratory. In the
lab, both the quantity and quality of the stem cells are measured.
These cells have the potential to transform into multiple types of
cells and are capable of regenerating or repairing damaged
tissue.
Stem Cell Implantation
On the third day, the stem cells are implanted back into the patient by lumbar puncture or surgical implantation. Surgical implantation is performed under general anesthesia for all patients.
Lumbar Puncture
A spinal needle is inserted between L4 and L5 vertebrae and a small amount of spinal fluid is removed. A portion of that spinal fluid is mixed with the stem cell solution which is then injected into back into the patient's spinal fluid, not the spinal cord. After the stem cells have been implanted, the patient will lie down in the recovery room for a few hours before returning to his or her hotel room. The lumbar puncture procedure is performed under local anesthesia for adults and general anesthesia for children. Under normal circumstances, procedures performed under local anesthesia are not painful.
Neuro-endoscopic Autologous Stem Cell Implantation
NEASCITM allows our pediatric neurosurgeon to implant the stem cells directly into the fluid spaces that surround the brain to acheive more accurate targeting. NEASCI is especially suited for the treatment of neurological disorders caused by inflammation from meningitis, encephalitis, cerebral hemorrhage, or skull-brain trauma. NEASCI is performed by inserting a mini-endoscope through a small hole (6mm) in the patient's skull. Once inside, the cerebral fluid space, the stem cells are released via a catheter that is inserted through the endoscope.
Surgical Implantation
Prior to surgery,
physical and functional damage will be assessed by computer
tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron
emission tomography (PET). Once the affected brain regions have
been identified and mapped, the neurosurgeon will implant the stem
cells using a high tech navigation system that allows the cells to
be placed with high accuracy.
All surgical implantation procedures are performed under general anesthesia.
Following Treatment
Patients who are treated by lumbar puncture are required to stay in town on the day after their procedure for general safety purposes. They may return home on the fifth day.
Surgical implantation patients may leave upon discharge from the hospital, usually on the ninth or tenth day, depending upon how their recovery progresses.
Treatment Results
116 patients (more than 90 %)
returned the completed evaluation form. Clinical improvements
(Figure 1) were reported in most patients (66.4%).
Improvements mainly included increased motor functioning with decreased spasticity, resulting in improved sitting, standing, walking and posture stability, as well as an improvement in mental functions resulting in better communication.
Improvement of speech was mentioned by 28 patients, and a major reduction or even absence of epileptic seizures during the recorded post-treatment period was reported by 11 responders.
More than 90% of all the improvements started within 8 weeks after the application of Autologous Stem Cells.
Click to view or print complete Cerebral Palsy treatment results, including graphs (pdf)
For safety information on 870 patients treated by lumbar puncture, please view our Lumbar Puncture Safety Statistics (PDF file).
Patient Stories
Read what our patients have to say about their treatment:
Nicholas Schilling, 5 years old,
Periventricular Leucomalacia
"…he is now training to stand with support…"
Christopher Giacobbe, 13 years
old, Cerebral Palsy
"…he has begun talking in complete sentences…"
Myrthe Wallet, 6 years old,
Myocarditis and Brain Hypoxia
"…Myrthe keeps getting better and better…"
Anneke van Iwaarden, 42 years
old, Severe Oxygen Deficiency
"…for the first time in her life, Anneke was able to stand on her
own…"
Costs
Stem cell implantation via lumbar puncture: 7,995 Euros (adults) - 9,000 Euros (children).
Neuro-endoscopic implantation (NEASCI) of stem cells: 18,500 Euros
Minimally invasive surgical implantation of stem cells directly into the brain: 25,500 Euros.
Evaluation Process
In order to be evaluated for treatment, patients must complete an online medical history form. Once you've completed the online medical history and submitted it, a patient relations consultant will contact you within 3 business days. He or she will assist you with the rest of the evaluation process. Upon treatment approval, your consultant will also assist you with treatment scheduling and trip preparation.
