PRESS RELEASE - Statistics Confirm Spinal Cord Injury Patients Improving After Stem Cell Therapy
April 28, 2010
Dusseldorf, Germany (PRWEB) April 28, 2010 -- The XCell-Center
has released encouraging results from a follow-up study of 140
spinal cord injury patients treated with autologous bone marrow
stem cells. Overall, nearly 6o% improved following treatment.
These results are consistent with those presented in October, 2009
and they continue to support the premise that spinal cord injury
patients can be treated safely and effectively with autologous stem
cell therapy.
Patients with measured ASIA scores saw average improvements of
about 10% in ASIA motor score, and approximately 20% in ASIA pin
prick and light touch measurements.
The most common improvement, reported by almost 7 out of every 10
patients, was the return of feeling to the hands, feet, arms, legs
or trunk. Muscle strength and endurance improved in over 65% of
those treated and more than half reported a decrease in muscle
spasticity.
"Since treatment, I have regained feeling in my legs. ... My
bowels are working easier than before and my hips are becoming more
stable. Pain in my left leg is down by half and I have been able to
stop taking pain pills. Sometimes there is no pain at all. ... I
would recommend this treatment to anyone who is considering
it," said Harold Poxleitner, a former logger who was injured
over 40 years ago and who underwent treatment in November
2009.
Mr. Poxleitner's full story can be read here:
/patient-stories/spinal-cord/harold-poxleitner.aspx
40% of those who improved experienced better bladder control and
over 30% had better bowel control. About a quarter had better
erections and a small number of those regained complete sexual
function.
"These laudable results illustrate the significant impact that
stem cell therapy has on the lives of most spinal injury patients
we treat," remarked Dr. Hans de Munter, the XCell-Center's
Chief Scientific Officer.
Full spinal cord injury treatment results can be viewed here:
/treatments/results/spinal-cord-injury.aspx
The treatment begins by collecting a small amount bone marrow from
the patient's hip bone using a thin needle under local anesthesia.
The stem cells are then separated from the bone marrow at the
XCell-Center's EU certified cGMP laboratory (current good
manufacturing process). Before the cells leave the lab, they are
counted and their vitality is confirmed. The last step of the
treatment is the minimally invasive implantation procedure, which
consists of injecting the stem cells into the patient's spinal
fluid using a spinal needle under local anesthesia.
The cost for spinal cord injury treatment starts at 7,545
Euros.
About the XCell-Center
The XCell-Center operates treatment centers in Cologne and
Dusseldorf, Germany. It is the first clinic in Europe to specialize
in regenerative medicine using autologous bone marrow stem cell
therapy and operates in accordance with German law, European
guidelines and ISO 9001. Its specialized medical team of German
physicians includes specialists in: neurosurgery, orthopedics,
cardiology, radiology, anesthesiology and pharmacology.
The XCell-Center also treats Diabetes and its complications
(Erectile Dysfunction and Peripheral Artery Disease), Stroke,
Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Spinal Cord Injuries, Orthopedic diseases,
Heart Disease and degenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis,
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and several eye diseases.
Since its inauguration in 2007, the XCell-Center has treated more
than 2,500 patients. For safety data please visit:
/media/89867/safety%20database%20lp%20febr2010.pdf
For more information on Stem Cell Therapy:
XCell-Center Website:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/xcellcenter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/XCellCenter
XCell-Center GmbH
at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Am Heerdter Krankenhaus 2
40549 Dusseldorf, Germamy
E-Mail: info@xcell-center.de
Phone: 1-866-680-8202 (USA Toll-Free) (+49) 0221-802-5095
(Germany)
Fax: 1-713-583-9322 (USA) (+49) 0221-2921-2550 (Germany)
