Treatment of severe chronic migraines with injections of stem cells obtained from patients' own fat tissue

ISRCTN ISRCTN72512465
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN72512465
Secondary identifying numbers 1
Submission date
23/11/2016
Registration date
02/12/2016
Last edited
25/09/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Migraine is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting around 18% of women and 6% of men. About 2% of the population suffers from very debilitating migraines. Despite recent progress in the treatment of migraines, many sufferers cannot be helped, leading to severe disability. This study attempted to help those patients who did not respond to multiple migraine drugs and procedures, including Botox injections. Stem cells have been the subject of intensive research for the past two decades and one of the discoveries has been the strong anti-inflammatory properties of stem cells. Since migraine involves inflammation of the surface coverings of the brain, it is reasonable to assume that stem cells could relieve migraines. The richest source of stem cells in human body is fat. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness treating migraine sufferers with stem cells derived from their own body fat.

Who can participate?
Adults who suffer from long-term difficult-to-treat migraines.

What does the study involve?
The participants in this study are asked to keep a daily headache diary starting a month before the procedure and for 3 months after it. The study procedure involves the collection of fat using standard liposuction procedures, which is then spun very quickly in a special machine (centrifuge) to separate the stem cell-rich part of fat. This is then injected into the muscles around the head and neck.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits not provided at time of registration. There are no notable risks involved with participating other than the standard risks associated with liposuction and injections into muscles, such as bruising, bleeding, infection, and cosmetic side effects.

Where is the study run from?
New York Headache Center (USA)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2015 to June 2016

Who is funding the study?
MicroAire (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Alexander Mauskop
drmauskop@nyheadache.com

Contact information

Dr Alexander Mauskop
Scientific

New York Headache Center
30 East 76 Street
2nd Floor
New York
10021
United States of America

Phone +1 212 794 3550
Email drmauskop@nyheadache.com

Study information

Study designOpen label non-randomised study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)GP practice
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleOpen label study to assess safety and efficacy of autologous adipose derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells for the treatment of refractory migraine headaches
Study objectivesAnti-inflammatory properties of stem cells suggest that they may be effective in the treatment of migraine headaches since neurogenic inflammation is an important part of migraine pathogenesis
Ethics approval(s)New England Institutional Review Board, 26/06/2015, ref: 15-236
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedChronic migraine, refractory to treatment
InterventionOn all participants, liposuction is performed under local anesthesia to obtain approximately 500 ml of adipose tissue. This tissue is then centrifuged to separate stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF is then injected into the pericranial muscles of the participants. The entire procedure, including the liposuction and the injections lasts for 2 to 3 hours.

All participants are followed up monthly for at least three months following the procedure.
Intervention typeBiological/Vaccine
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureChange in migraine-related disability, as measured by patient-reported Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score, in the three months following the procedure.
Secondary outcome measures1. The change in impact of headaches as measured by the Headache impact score (HIT-6) in the third month compared to the month prior to the procedure
2. Patient's global impression of change is measured using a standard verbal scale at baseline and 3 months after the procedure
3. Clinician’s global Impression of change is measured using a standard verbal scale at baseline and 3 months after the procedure
4. Number of headache-free days are measured using a daily diary in the month preceding the procedure and in the third month following the procedure
5. Percentage of patients with 50% or greater reduction in headache-free days is measured using a daily diary in the month preceding the procedure and in the third month following the procedure
6. Number and type of abortive migraine medications taken is measured using a daily diary in the month preceding the procedure and in the third month following the procedure
Overall study start date01/01/2015
Completion date20/06/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants10
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 18 years and over
2. Suffer from refractory chronic migraines, defined as patients with severe migraine-related disability as measured by the migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) score
3. Failed to respond to at least 3 prophylactic medications and onabotulinumtoxinA
Key exclusion criteria1. Pregnancy
2. Low body mass index
Date of first enrolment26/06/2015
Date of final enrolment31/03/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United States of America

Study participating centre

New York Headache Center
30 East 76 Street
New York
10021
United States of America

Sponsor information

New York Headache Center
Hospital/treatment centre

30 East 76 Street
2nd Floor
New York
10021
United States of America

Phone +1 212 794 3550
Email drmauskop@nyheadache.com

Funders

Funder type

Industry

MicroAire

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planTo be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Alexander Mauskop, DrMauskop@NYHeadache.com

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 14/06/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

25/09/2017: Internal review.
06/07/2017: Internal review.
15/06/2017: Publication reference added.