Biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells after intra-arterial or intravenous transplantation in subacute stroke patients

Regen Med. 2013 Mar;8(2):145-55. doi: 10.2217/rme.13.2.

Abstract

Aims: To assess the biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) delivered by different routes in patients with subacute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke.

Patients & methods: This was a nonrandomized, open-label Phase I clinical trial. After bone marrow harvesting, BMMNCs were labeled with technetium-99m and intra-arterially or intravenously delivered together with the unlabeled cells. Scintigraphies were carried out at 2 and 24 h after cell transplantation. Clinical follow-up was continued for 6 months.

Results: Twelve patients were included, between 19 and 89 days after stroke, and received 1-5 × 10(8) BMMNCs. The intra-arterial group had greater radioactive counts in the liver and spleen and lower counts in the lungs at 2 and 24 h, while in the brain they were low and similar for both routes.

Conclusion: BMMNC labeling with technetium-99m allowed imaging for up to 24 h after intra-arterial or intravenous injection in stroke patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon