We recently published our clinical trials of HLA-matched umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell (UCBMNC) therapy for chronic spinal cord injury,reporting that the treatment is safe in 28 transplanted subjects with no neurological loss.Diffusion tensor imaging of the 5 of the spinal cords revealed fibers growing across the injury site in two subjects and narrowing of the white matter gap.Although several sensory dermatomes below the injury site recovered in several subjects,no locomotor or voluntary motor function recovered in any subject.In Kunming,17 of 20 subjects underwent intensive locomotor training,6 hours a day and 6 days a week for 3-6 months.Of the 17 subjects,15 could walk long distance with minimal assistance and 7 were able to walk without assistance.In addition,60% of them recovered independence in bowel and bladder function,55% no longer required catheterization,and 30% had no bowel accidents in the preceding 3 months,suggesting that they have ac hieved continence.Recovery of walking ability after cell transplantation was evaluated by the Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scores.However,recovery of voluntary motor control of individual hands or feet was very limited.The BBB scores in-creased after high dose cell transplantation except in subjects who received methylprednisolone.We conclude that UCBMNC can be safely transplanted into the injured spinal cord,UCBMNC transplantation and intensive locomotor training con-tribute to walking recovery with minimal assistance,and intensive locomotor training is necessary for walking,bowel and bladder function recovery.Based on these results,we are submitting applications for phase IIb clinical trials in the U.S.and India.These trials and their rationale will be described.