Research from the PREMSTEM project has revealed promising results regarding the use of human mesenchymal stem cells (h-MSCs) in treating neonatal brain damage, a condition affecting millions of preterm infants each year. Every year, approximately 15 million babies are born globally before completing 37 weeks of gestation. Such early births can significantly disrupt brain development, leading to serious and lifelong health complications. Currently, no effective treatment exists for brain injuries linked to preterm birth, but this innovative research may pave the way for clinical trials.
Exploring Stem Cell Applications
The PREMSTEM project, a collaboration spearheaded by RMIT University and a network of international experts, focuses on determining the optimal application of h-MSCs for infants suffering from early-life brain injury. The findings of this research were published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.
Associate Professor Bobbi Fleiss from RMIT’s School of Health and Biomedical Sciences highlighted the project’s aims. “We sought to uncover key questions: the timing for administering stem cells, the method of delivery—whether through the nose or bloodstream—and the required dosage to achieve a positive effect on brain injury models,” she explained.
Researchers utilized h-MSCs derived from donated umbilical cord tissue. Their initial investigations involved testing the effects of these stem cells across various models of brain injury, adjusting the timing, delivery method, and quantity of cells. To manage the extensive data generated, the team collaborated with bioinformaticians to develop a scoring system, identifying the most effective combinations for treatment.
The results indicated that the most beneficial outcomes occurred when h-MSCs were administered nasally shortly after the onset of brain injury. Fleiss noted, “Our comprehensive pre-clinical studies, conducted by multiple teams, demonstrate that this type of stem cell can positively influence brain damage across different models of perinatal brain injury. Significantly, we observed improvements in other cell types, aiding the brain’s capacity to recover following traumatic events such as preterm birth.”
Innovative Diagnostic Technologies
Another significant advancement from the PREMSTEM project includes the development of novel brain imaging technologies. Researchers at Physics for Medicine Paris and their industry partner, Iconeus, have pioneered ultrafast ultrasound tools that can be employed at the bedside to diagnose brain injuries in neonates.
“This groundbreaking technology allows clinicians to diagnose brain injuries in children in a non-intrusive, comfortable manner, ensuring that babies remain close to their families during the diagnostic process,” Fleiss stated.
To further enhance the research’s relevance, RMIT Europe played a critical role in engaging stakeholders through a comprehensive communications strategy. This involved collaborative workshops and interviews with parents, patient advocates, neonatologists, clinicians, nurses, and researchers, led by Enrique Conches at Punk Design. These efforts aimed to identify information gaps regarding the safety and utility of stem cells and to address community concerns.
The outcomes of these engagements culminated in a co-designed communications roadmap intended to guide future clinical research involving families.
Over the course of six years, the PREMSTEM researchers have demonstrated that h-MSCs can significantly mitigate brain injury and inflammation in laboratory settings. These findings herald the potential for future, family-centered clinical trials in human subjects, marking a significant step forward in addressing the challenges posed by neonatal brain injuries.
The collaborative efforts and innovative approaches of the PREMSTEM project signify a hopeful frontier in neonatal care, with the promise of improved outcomes for countless children affected by early-life brain injury.
For further details, refer to the work of Cindy Bokobza et al. in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12974-025-03593-2.
