Model System:

SCI

Reference Type:

JA

Accession No.:

J59832

Journal:


Spinal Cord

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

, 48, 11, 798-807

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Article presents a post hoc analysis of a Phase 2, randomized controlled cellular therapy trial in acute, complete spinal cord injury (SCI). It describes challenges unique to this study, proposes potential strategies to overcome these challenges, and reviews subject recruitment and demographics. Subjects were recruited to one of six international study centers. Of the 1816 patients pre-screened, 53.7 percent did not meet initial study criteria, primarily due to an injury outside the time window (14 days) or failure to meet neurological criteria (complete SCI between C5 motor/C4 sensory and T11). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were obtained on 339 patients; 51.0 percent were ineligible based on imaging criteria. Of the 75 participants enrolled, 25 failed screening (SF), leaving 50 randomized. The primary reason for SF was based on the neurological exam, followed by failure to meet MRI criteria. Of the 50 randomized subjects, there were no significant differences in demographics in the active versus control arms. In those participants for whom data was available, 93.8 percent (45 of 48) of randomized participants received steroids before study entry, whereas 94.0 percent (47 of 50) had spine surgery before study enrollment. The “funnel effect” (large numbers of potentially eligible participants with a small number enrolled) impacts all trials, but was particularly challenging in this trial due to eligibility criteria and logistics. Data collected may provide information on current practice patterns and the issues encountered and addressed may facilitate design of future trials.

Author(s):


Jones, L. A. T., Lammertse, D. P., Charlifue, S. B., Kirshblum, S. C., Apple, D. F., Ragnarsson, K. T., Poonian, D., Betz, R. R., Knoller, N., Heary, R. F., Choudhri, T. F., Jenkins III, A. L., Falci, S. P., Snyder, D. A..

Participating Centers: