title: Therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cell transplantation in patients with cerebral palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) therapy in patients with CP.
  
  
  METHODS
  This analysis included patients (30 days-18 yr) with documented diagnosis of CP. The study consisted of four treatment phases (T1, T2, T3, T4) separated by gap phases. Efficacy of hESC therapy was evaluated based on Gross Motor Function Classification Scores Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E & R; 1-good to 5-bad).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety one patients were included and all received hESC therapy in T1, 66 patients returned for T2, 38 patients for T3, and 15 patients for T4. Overall, 30.2% patients achieved GMFCS-E & R score 1 during the study with different number of patients achieving GMFCS score 1 by the end of each treatment phase (T1: 6 [6.6%]; T2: 7 [10.6%]; T3: 11 [28.9%]; and T4: 5 [33.3%]). All patients in up to 2 yr (n = 10), 2-4 yr (n = 10), 4-6 yr (n = 9), and 6-12 yr (n = 8) age groups except one of the 5 patients in the age group of 12-18 yr transitioned from GMFCS-E & R score 5 to lower scores by end of T1. Most patients transitioned to GMFCS-E & R score 2 (n = 34) from higher scores by end of T2. Eleven patients achieved GMFCS-E & R score 1 by end of T3. No serious adverse events were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of hESC therapy in patients with CP is effective and safe. hESC therapy has demonstrated significant improvement in GMFCS-E & R scale.
authors.affiliation: Nutech Mediworld, H-8, Green Park Extension, New Delhi, 110016, India. geetashroff@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shroff
authors.affiliation: Pediatrician, Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, India. anupama67@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, India. jkbarthakur@bol.net.in.
authors.forename: Jitender Kumar
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Barthakur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation