Stem cells treats knee osteoarthritis

Stem cells treats knee osteoarthritis. Observation on the clinical efficacy of stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

Stem cell transplantation to relieve knee osteoarthritis has become one of the research directions of stem cell transplantation in many countries.

Knee osteoarthritis: The pathological manifestations are cartilage cells, extracellular matrix and bone tissue decomposition and anabolic imbalance, leading to progressive joint destruction, cartilage loss and inflammatory infiltration. Cartilage cells cover the surface of the joint without blood vessels. They can repair themselves after damage.

WOMAC score scale: to evaluate the severity of arthritis and treatment effects of patients, divided into three aspects: pain, stiffness, and joint function to evaluate the results and function of the knee joint, a total of 24 items. The lower the score, the lower the degree/better relief. A score of 0 indicates recovery and the patient has basically no clinical symptoms.

[Research background] At present, allogeneic umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cell products with indications for degenerative arthritis and cartilage repair have been approved for marketing. Stem cells can be transplanted into the body due to their characteristics of osteoblasts and chondrocytes Realize the regeneration of bone/cartilage cells, and have the function of immunomodulation to transplant joint cavity inflammation, which can quickly relieve pain.

Stem cell transplantation to relieve knee osteoarthritis has become one of the research directions of stem cell transplantation in China. In 2019,  China approved the “Stem Cell and Transformation Research” key project “The Role and Mechanism of Joint Tissue Specific Stem Cells in Osteoarthritis”; 2017; From year to 2020, a total of 6 related stem cell clinical registration projects across the country will start clinical trials, and the selected stem cell types are all human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

[Research purpose] To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of intra-articular injection of stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

[Research method] 80 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into stem cell group and control group. Patients in the stem cell group underwent three consecutive injections of stem cells into the articular cavity under aseptic conditions, with an average cell count of (38.2 ± 12.3)×10 6 per injection; patients in the control group received sodium hyaluronate injections. The follow-up period was 1 year, and the Osteoarthritis Index Visualization Scale (WOMAC) was measured at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th month, and the incidence of complications was recorded.

[Research results] Symptoms can be significantly improved after 6 months of follow-up, and the total effective rate of the stem cell group is 75%. A 46-year-old female patient suffered from osteoarthritis of both knees for 4 years and worsened for 3 months. The WOMAC bone and joint score was 85 points, and the score was reduced to 34 points after stem cell transplantation.

Before the test, the WOMAC score of the stem cell group was (70.9 ± 18.9), and the score of the control group was (69.7 ± 20.9). There was no statistically significant difference in the scores between the two groups before the test; after the test, the WOMAC score of the stem cell group dropped to (40.9 ± 20.2). The group score is (51.4 ± 21.1), which is statistically significant. During the follow-up, there were no adverse reactions such as fever and immune rejection.

to sum up

Researchers believe that stem cell transplantation can improve joint function and relieve pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. It is an effective method for early knee osteoarthritis and is worthy of clinical application.

(sourceinternet, reference only)

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