This is a multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous (self) transplantation of Neurotrophic factors-secreting Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC-NTF, NurOwn™) in patients with ALS . MSC-NTF cells are a novel cell-therapeutic approach which is expected to effectively deliver Neurotrophic factors, which are potent survival factors for neurons, directly to the site of damage.
The MSC-NTF cell therapy (NurOwn™) is based on transplantation of autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), which are enriched from the patients' own bone marrow, propagated ex vivo and induced to secrete NTFs. The autologous MSC-NTF cells are back-transplanted into the ALS patient into the sites of damage, the spinal cord and the muscles. NTFs are potent survival factors for embryonic, neonatal, and adult neurons and are considered potential therapeutic candidates for ALS. Delivery of appropriate NTFs to the immediate environment of afflicted neurons in ALS patients is expected to improve their survival and thus slow down disease progression and alleviate symptoms. Previous open-label clinical trials have shown that MSC-NTF cells treatment was well tolerated and appears to be generally safe. Some initials indications of clinical benefit were also observed in some patients. This multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single combined intramuscular and intrathecal administration of MSC-NTF cells in early-stage ALS patients. Patients will be followed for approximately three months before transplantation with their autologous MSC-NTF cells or placebo. During this period of time, patient bone-marrow will be harvested and mesenchymal stromal cells will be isolated and expanded. Following treatment patients will be followed for a total of six months at monthly visits.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
Single autologous MSC-NTF cells treatment by combined intramuscular and intrathecal administration
Excipient administration by combined intramuscular and intrathecal administration
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
UMass Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States
Number of Patients With at Least One Treatment Emergent Adverse Events
Safety assessed based on the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (including serious adverse events \[SAEs\]) including clinically relevant changes in vital signs, clinical laboratory assessments, physical and neurological examinations, and electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, during transplantation of expanded autologous MSC-NTF cells administered on a single occasion via combined intrathecal (IT) administration and intramuscular (IM) injections
Time frame: Up to 24 weeks following the first intrathecal injection, or End of Study
Change in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) Slopes From the Pre-transplantation Period to the Post-transplantation Period Between the Treatment and Placebo Groups Through 24 Weeks Post-transplantation.
The ALSFRS-R is a quickly administered (10 minutes) ordinal, validated rating scale (ratings 0-4) used to determine participants' assessment of their capability and independence in 12 functional activities. The total score of ALSFRS-R ranges from 0-48, with higher score being better. The slope of ALSFRS-R for the pre- and post-treatment is obtained from a linear regression model using all available data points in the corresponding period, respectively. The change in slope is obtained from a fixed-effect linear model which is defined as the post-treatment slope minus the pre-treatment slope. The unit of the slope is score on a scale per month. A positive change in slope, means that the patient's decline in the ALSFRS-R score is slower than pre-treatment. A negative change in slope, means that the patient decline in the ALSFRS-R score is faster than pre-treatment.
Time frame: Up to 24 weeks following the first intrathecal injection
Change in SVC Slopes From the Pre-transplantation Period to the Post-transplantation Period Between the Treatment and Placebo Groups Through 24 Weeks Post-transplantation
SVC measures the maximum amount of air exhaled in a single breath, this lung function is influenced by gender, height, and age, in a complex, non-linear, way. The SVC reported is a normalized value obtained from a non-linear prediction model that accounts for the influence of participant's gender, height and age. SVC was done 3 times at each visit, in order to capture and report the maximal, effort-dependent, lung function that a participant can deliver. The slope of SVC is obtained from a linear regression model using all available data points in the corresponding period, respectively. The change in slope is from a fixed-effect linear model which is defined as the post-treatment slope minus the pre-treatment slope. The unit of the slope is score on a scale per month. Positive change in slope, means that the patient's decline in the SVC score is slower than pre-treatment. Negative change in slope, means that the patient decline in the SVC score is faster than pre-treatment.
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Time frame: Up to 24 weeks following the first intrathecal injection