Infusion of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UCB-MSCs) shows promise in improving motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP), according to a newly published meta-analysis. The research, published by Elsevier Masson SAS in 2026, analyzed data from ten clinical trials encompassing 621 patients and suggests a statistically significant improvement in gross motor skills in those receiving UCB-MSC therapy compared to control groups.
The analysis, which reviewed trials up to November 2024, revealed a standardized mean difference in Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores – a key metric for assessing motor impairment in CP – between baseline and 12 months favored the intervention group (M= 0.5828, 95% CI=[0.19,0.98] P-value= 0.004). However, the study also highlighted variability in treatment approaches, including cell dosage and administration routes.
A subgroup analysis differentiated between trials utilizing umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCB-MNCs) and those employing UCB-MSCs. Even as the UCB-MNC group did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in GMFM scores compared to controls (M= 0.3225, 95% CI= [-0.19, 0.84] P-value= 0.22), the UCB-MSC group showed a more substantial and statistically significant gain (M= 0.9192, 95% CI= [0.33,1.50] P-value= 0.002). The majority of studies (80%) utilized allogeneic cells – meaning cells derived from a donor rather than the patient themselves.
Research into stem cell therapies for CP, including the use of cord blood cells, has been ongoing. A review published by Cureus highlighted the potential of stem cell therapy as a novel treatment avenue for CP patients. Separate research, published in Nature, has focused on comparing term versus preterm cord blood cells for preventing brain injury, particularly in premature infants. Another Nature study detailed a pilot study assessing the feasibility and safety of autologous cord blood cell therapy for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, a condition that can lead to CP.
The meta-analysis authors emphasize the need for larger, randomized controlled trials specifically focused on UCB-MSCs, and exploration of MSCs derived from other tissue sources. They also call for longer-term follow-up studies to comprehensively evaluate the full spectrum of clinical outcomes relevant to cerebral palsy. The study’s findings suggest that further investigation into UCB-MSC therapy is warranted, but definitive conclusions regarding its efficacy require more robust clinical evidence.
