Allogenic Umbilical Cord Blood and EPO Combination Therapy for CP

This study is underway and combines donor cord blood and EPO for treatment of CP. I have found other studies that indicated EPO does not assist in the healing of the brain. It also appears that immunosuppression will take place during the process. I'm not sure if the immunosuppression is ongoing or ends after a set treatment period.

A couple additional point of interested with this study, 1) it is studying both safety and efficacy i, and 2) the comlpletion date is schedule for May 2011, which is a much shorter time frame than the other studies I have found.

Here is the study description:

Cerebral palsy is a disorder of movement and posture that result from a nonprogressive lesion or injury of the immature brain. It is a leading cause of childhood onset disability through one's life. Umbilical cord blood(UCB) is suggested as therapeutic method for cerebral palsy which resulted from animal studies. Stem cells included in UCB is expected to exert therapeutic efficacy for functional recovery.

It is also suggested that erythropoietin is useful to repair neurological injury in brain. The main mechanism of erythropoietin is supposed to be neuroprotection and neurogenesis which would reinforce the effect of stem cell as well.

Although autologous umbilical cord would be safe, the children who have problems at birth seldom have autologous stem cell. Allogenic umbilical cord blood might be useful for these children if its effect is approved.

 More information can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.