Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Dose-Escalation Safety and Tolerability Trial

Background We conducted a preliminary phase I, dose-escalating, safety, and tolerability trial in the population of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) by using human allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. Methods Eligibility criteria included nontraumatic supratentorial hematoma less than 60 mL and Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 5. All patients were monitored in the neurosciences intensive care unit for safety and tolerability of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell infusion and adverse events. We also explored the use of cytokines as biomarkers to assess responsiveness to the cell therapy. We screened 140 patients, enrolling 9 who met eligibility criteria into three dose groups: 0.5 million cells/kg, 1 million cells/kg, and 2 million cells/kg. Results Intravenous administration of allogeneic bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells to treat patients with acute ICH is feasible and safe. Conclusions Future larger randomized, placebo-controlled ICH studies are necessary to validate this study and establish the effectiveness of this therapeutic approach in the treatment of patients with ICH.