ArticleBMC neurology2023
Treatment of idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) and secondary facial paralysis with extracellular vesicles: a pilot safety study.
Article in BMC neurology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Safety Assessment of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Therapy in Regenerative Dentistry.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Contemporary pharmacological strategies for acute peripheral facial palsy: a narrative review with clinical decision considerations.Frontiers in neuroscience · 2026Review
- A trial of exosome rich stem cell secretome as a potential treatment for Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Advances in the Research of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Maxillofacial Neurological Disorders and the Promotion of Facial Nerve Regeneration.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Review
- Concomitant use of autologous exosomes and Nd:YAG laser in post-reconstructive treatment of Bell's palsy: A case report.JPRAS open · 2025Article
- Clinical applications of extracellular vesicles: recent advances and emerging trends.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025Review
- Evaluation of nerve function after Bell's palsy based on different facial nerve assessment scales HBGS/SFGS/MPS: A comparative study.PloS one · 2025Article
- Extracellular vesicles as human therapeutics: A scoping review of the literature.Journal of extracellular vesicles · 2024Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundParalysis of the facial nerve (CN VII) is one of the most debilitating issues that any patient can encounter. Bell's palsy is the most commonly seen mononeuropathy. Although usually self-limited, symptomatology can persist for decades in persistent cases. The non-surgical alternative therapies discussed in this study are successful without reconstruction and are regenerative. OBJECTIVE AND
designWe sought to determine a safe new treatment could be developed to restore facial nerve function using extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients who have been unable to return to normal under a variety of conditions. We performed a pilot safety study of 7 patients with idiopathic and secondary facial paralysis to determine if any functional restoration was possible. Each patient had symptomology for varying periods of time, with diverse House-Brackmann scores. They were all treated with the same protocol of extracellular vesicles (EVs) over a 4-week period of time and were evaluated both before and after treatment. CASE PRESENTATIONS: All patients in this study received treatment by their private physicians prior to entering the study. A record review was completed, with independent physical examinations. House-Brackmann scores and Facial Disability Indices were obtained prior to, and after completing the study. EVs were injected into the area of the main trunk of the facial nerve on the affected side, and an intravenous drip of EVs on visits during weeks 1, 2, and 4.
conclusionsAll seven patients enrolled in the study improved with this treatment protocol. After the second week of treatment, we saw a progression of independent motion of the affected eyelid, brow motion, and commissure. Although all patients began at different House-Brackman starting points, almost all ended at the same endpoint on the scale over the same period of time - four weeks. No adverse effects were encountered. Clearly, the duration of the treatment protocol needs to be longer than one month. The pathomechanism is still unknown. But it appears that the mechanism is reversible. At last, these patients can have hope.
trial registrationThe Institute of Regenerative and Cellular Medicine IRB approval number: IRCM-2021-304.
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