Overview of Clinical Research on Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Clinical MSC Research Overview
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects >30m individuals in the US yearly and has currently no treatment. MSC therapy have been shown in 37 clinical trials across 1152 patients to relieve symptoms (WOMAC, Pain-Visual-Scale, etc) compared to control groups. Some trials have also reported that MSC therapy increases cartilage volumes as well -> indicating that MSC injections helps/creates new cartilage in the affected joint. The type of MSCs (Bone marrow, adipocytes, autologous/allogenic) varies across the studies.
Acute Respiratory Disease Syndrome
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OA) affects more than 3 million Americans per year and is associated with a poor prognosis with mortality rates being close to ~40%. There is no successful treatment against ARDS apart from mechanical ventilation which is costly and limited. MSC therapy have been shown across 13 clinical trials in 273 patients around the world to decrease inflammation and improve treatment outcomes significantly without any treatment-related adverse events.
Graft versus Host Disease
Graft versus host disease (GvHD) occurs after hematopoietic/bone marrow transplantation and is associated with poor prognosis with few therapies available signalling a high unmet medical need. Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) display immunomodulatory properties and studies have confirmed it to be a safe and valuable treatment for GvHD. The therapeutic effect of MSCs on GvHD depends on the disease type and MSC type used with most studies showing a significant effect.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic IBD causing inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract, mainly affecting the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Its cause is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and there is currently no cure. Studies have shown that MSCs can improve symptoms and reduce inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is an autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system by attacking the myelin sheath. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and vision problems. While there's no cure, treatments exist to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases thanks to beneficial capacities, including the immunomodulation ability, and to their secretome.
Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a condition with poor prognosis with no available treatments and is associated with hepatitis, alcoholism, and obesity. MSC therapy has been shown in preclinical studies to ameliorate liver fibrosis. In 20 clinical studies enrolling 756 patients MSC therapy is deemed safe with no treatment related SAEs. In a majority of the studies (>75%) which encloses ~90% of the patient population MSC therapy restores liver function and improves these patients’ quality of life.
Diabetes type II
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder with high blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production. Symptoms include thirst, frequent urination, and blurred vision. Risk factors include obesity, inactivity, family history, and age. MSCs have shown potential to help patients with type 2 diabetes in several ways. They can promote regeneration of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin. Additionally, MSCs have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in cells.
Diabetes Type I
Diabetes type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune cells attacks the producing beta cells in the pancreas. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is a promising approach for treating type 1 diabetes due to its immunomodulatory and regenerative properties. The result from clinical trials have been encouraging with results indicating that MSC helps restore function of islet β cells in a longer time. MSCs are also able to increase/retain C-peptide levels compared to control groups.
Chronic Low Back Pain
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects ¼ adults sometime during their life and might impact ones daily living. There is an unmet need for treating low back pain in subjects who have failed conservative therapies. Several preclinical and clinical studies have shown that mesenchymal lineage stromal cells hold great promise in intervertebral disc repair. Four clinical studies enrolling 148 patients report stem cell therapy to be safe and an effective, durable, and minimally invasive therapy for treatment for CLBP.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is a chronic lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is typically caused by smoking, and symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and chronic cough. When MSCs are administered, they can migrate to the lungs and release factors that can reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and improve lung function. Some studies have shown that MSCs can improve symptoms and quality of life in COPD patients, although more research is needed to fully understand their potential therapeutic benefits.
Aging Frailty
Aging frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized by an increased vulnerability to stressors and a decreased ability to maintain homeostasis due to a decline in multiple physiological systems. It results in a higher risk of adverse health outcomes such as disability, hospitalization, and mortality. MSCs have shown potential for addressing aging frailty through their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, which allows them to renew tissue and dampen inflammation.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain, leading to a decline in memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common cause of dementia in older adults. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein and tau protein in the brain, which leads to the death of brain cells and the formation of plaques and tangles. MSCs may have potential therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease by reducing inflammation, promoting neuronal survival and regeneration, and improving cognitive function.