Combination Therapy

Adult bone marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC’s) and Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OEC’s) are individually capable of providing a limited degree of functional recovery in spinal cord injury models. OECs are unique in that their function is to protect and guide re-growing nerve cells. MSCs are able to promote nerve growth and recovery, possibly through the production of growth factors, communication with the surrounding cells and other mechanisms. It is now widely accepted that the best therapy for encouraging the greatest amount of functional recovery in a damaged spinal cord will be to use a combination of treatments. After severe spinal cord injury this is likely to include:

• OEC’s and, or MSC’s, and possibly some other cells, in combination with other treatments that help the regeneration and repair process for damage to nerve cells.

These include:

• Support for replacing the myelin that provides essential "insulation" around nerve fibres.
• A temporary matrix to support the transplanted cells during the repair phase. Our overseas colleagues have produced important developments in this area in the last few years.
• Support for growing new blood vessels in the tissue during the repair process.
• Medicines that provide support for the tissue recovery process.

Our aim in the long term is to provide all of the necessary components for repairing spinal cord injuries. The first clinical trials will be quite simpler studies but are needed so that answers can be provided to guide development of more advanced trials. Without the first trials, progress cannot start. The first trials are an investment in progress for cure of spinal cord injury; we need to take the first steps today so that we can run the race tomorrow!