STOCKHOLM — A new trial of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) has shown encouraging results, with significant benefits vs placebo in several measures of disability.

The double-blind placebo-controlled phase 2 study — described as “very pioneering” and “provocative” by outside commentators — was presented at the recent 35th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) 2019.

Both intravenous and intrathecal administration of the stem cells showed beneficial clinical effects compared with placebo in terms of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) changes and several other functional outcomes, but the intrathecal route appeared superior to intravenous administration, reported Dimitrios Karussis, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.