Transplantation of purified autologous leukapheresis-derived CD34+ and CD133+ stem cells for patients with chronic spinal cord injuries: long-term evaluation of safety and efficacy.

This study is aimed at describing a novel method for treating patients with chronic complete spinal cord injuries (SCIs) by utilizing autologous, purified CD34(+) and CD133(+) stem cells (SCs). The study focuses on the safety and efficacy of transplanting unmanipulated, autologous, purified stem cells in treated patients during a 5-year follow-up period. In this report, 19 patients were included (16 males and 3 females) who presented with a complete SCI (ASIA-A) in the thoracic region.