Biodistribution of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells After Intra-Arterial or Intravenous Transplantation in Subacute Stroke Patients

AIMS: To assess the biodistribution of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) delivered by different routes in patients with subacute middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke. PATIENTS & METHODS: This was a nonrandomized, open-label Phase I clinical trial. After bone marrow harvesting, BMMNCs were labeled with technetium-99m and intra-arterially or intravenously delivered together with the unlabeled cells. Scintigraphies were carried out at 2 and 24 h after cell transplantation. Clinical follow-up was continued for 6 months. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included, between 19 and 89 days after stroke, and received 1-5 × 10(8) BMMNCs. The intra-arterial group had greater radioactive counts in the liver and spleen and lower counts in the lungs at 2 and 24 h, while in the brain they were low and similar for both routes. CONCLUSION: BMMNC labeling with technetium-99m allowed imaging for up to 24 h after intra-arterial or intravenous injection in stroke patients.