Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is a devastating disease affecting millions worldwide. As disease pathogenesis includes both chronic pulmonary and systemic inflammation, antiinflammatory effects of systemically administered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may decrease inflammation, resulting in improved lung function and quality of life. The goal of this study was to assess safety and to perform an initial evaluation of the potential efficacy of systemic MSC administration to patients with moderate to severe COPD.

Read the study

Hospital admissions for acute COPD exacerbations decreased from 11 events within a year before MSC infusion to six events within a year following infusion, without additional interventions unless required after an exacerbation. Lung function measured 3 weeks after the second infusion did not change significantly compared to pre-infusion levels. These results align with other MSC trials in COPD that also showed no significant improvement in spirometry.

Read the study

In COPD patients with baseline CRP ≥ 4 mg/L, compared to COPD patients receiving placebo (N = 17), those treated with remestemcel-L (N = 12), demonstrated significant improvements from baseline in forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, and six minute walk distance at 120 days with treatment differences evident as early as 10 days after the first infusion. Significant although smaller benefits were also detected in those with CRP levels ≥ 2 or ≥ 3 mg/L.

Read the study