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Published on: September 29, 2018
Pain Relief After Allogenic Stem Cell Disc Therapy
Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski1, Alvaro Dowling2, Juan Carlos Vera3
1Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona and Surgical Institute of Tucson, Tucson AZ, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Fundación Universitaria Sanitas, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia; Department of Neurosurgery in the Video-Endoscopic Postgraduate Program at the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UNIRIO, Brazil.
Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injections show promise for treating painful degenerative disc disease, with significant reductions in pain and disability observed. This study suggests MSCs are a safe and effective option for patients with this condition.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) treatment is challenging, with limited effective options for intermediate stages.
- Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer an alternative to autologous stem cell transplantation.
- Allogeneic MSCs present practical advantages for treating discogenic low back pain, including availability and ease of administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of allogeneic MSC injections in lumbar intervertebral discs.
- To assess the clinical outcomes of patients receiving allogeneic MSC therapy for discogenic low back pain.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in a private practice setting.
- 33 patients with DDD received intradiscal injections of allogeneic MSCs.
- Clinical outcomes were measured using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified Macnab criteria.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in VAS and ODI scores were observed at 2-year follow-up (P < 0.001).
- Excellent or good outcomes were reported by 90.9% of patients based on the modified Macnab criteria.
- No adverse reactions were reported in any patients treated with allogeneic MSC injections.
Conclusions:
- Allogeneic MSC injections appear to be a promising and safe treatment for painful intermediate-stage DDD.
- Further research, including randomized prospective studies, is recommended to confirm these findings.
- The study suggests a potential new therapeutic avenue for managing chronic low back pain associated with DDD.
