Hi All
Although stem cell treatment for ALS is being strongly promoted in private clinics around the world, they are being offered by for-profit clinics that offer no objective proof of efficacy and in some instances some treatments could put a PALs at risk for adversity. Careful study of the medical literature in highly regarded medical journals does not provide evidence for an effective stem cell treatment for ALS that is ready for those currently suffering from ALS. Therefore, not be rational for a knowledgeable person to conclude that effective treatment for ALS is currently a waste of money and time to pursue stem cell treatment for ALS outside of a legitimate clinical trial at this time. That being said, it should be noted that Brainstorm has concluded approved phase II trials with promising results and it has been approved to conduct phase 3 trials in 2017, which offers hope that legitimate progress in stem cell therapy for ALS is being made and that effective treatment could be available within a few years.
In 2011 I underwent a bone marrow harvest at Hadassah hospital in Israel, which was cultured for the production of neurotrophic stem cells. Because of legal issues at the time my cultured stem cells from Israel were administered to me by way of a spinal tap in Greece. By that time I had lost 20% of my body weight and was suffering shortness of breath, progressive muscle weakness, extreme fatigue and complete loss of appetite. Previously I had my diagnosis of ALS confirmed at 3 top-notch ALS centers, including the Mayo Clinic. Within a week of the stem cell treatment my appetite fully returned and my fatigue completely disappeared. Over the course of the following year I regained all the weight I had lost (without a PEG), my progressive weakness and progressive shortness of breath also slowed down significantly. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a repeat treatment. It is no longer available outside of a clinical trial. The clinical benefit I experienced was outside of a clinical trial therefore, it does not prove the effectiveness of stem cell treatment for ALS but it certainly seems as though the treatment I received and the benefits I experience were related. I subsequently found out that others who had received the same treatment had enjoyed varying degrees of success in diminishing or slowing down symptom progression. As you may imagine, I am encouraged that neurotrophic stem cell treatment for ALS will be of benefit and that Brainstorm will demonstrate whether or not their stem cell treatment is effective when the results of their forthcoming phase III studies will be completed and published. I remain optimistic that an effective stem cell treatment for ALS will be a reality in the 3 - 5 years, so I remain hopeful for an effective treatment of ALS in the foreseeable future.
Best wishes
Eliot