Allogeneic chondrogenic‐induced mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of tarsometatarsal lameness in horses

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of commercial intra‐articular blood‐derived allogeneic‐induced mesenchymal stem cells (CIMSCs) to treat tarsometatarsal lameness in horses.Study designThis was a retrospective cohort study.AnimalsRecords from 167 adult light breed horses with bilateral tarsometatarsal lameness.MethodsHorses with tarsometatarsal lameness were retrospectively selected from medical records. Diagnosis followed subjective graded lameness assessment before and after intra‐articular analgesia, with graded radiographic tarsal examination. Horses were excluded if they were diagnosed or treated for any other concurrent lameness conditions during the study. Time to last follow‐up and time of recurrence of lameness was recorded at veterinary re‐assessment.ResultsA total of 67 horses were recruited to the CIMSC‐treated group and 100 to the corticosteroid (CS)‐treated group. Median age was 9 years, with no difference in signalment, use or radiographic grade between groups. First re‐examination was 38 days (95% CI: 38–49), with no difference between groups, CIMSC 42 (35–45), control 34 (25–42). Median follow‐up was 438 days for CIMSC, 546 for controls. Symptoms of lameness recurred in 86/100 controls compared to 17/67 (25%) CIMSC. Median time to lameness recurring in CIMSC was 336 days (95% CI: 239–400), control 90 days (95% CI: 80–108), p < .0001. Cox proportional hazard ratio for treatment was 8.35, 95% CI: 4.67 to 14.92, p < .0001.ConclusionsLameness was abolished in all treated horses. It recurred significantly less often, and later, in CIMSC‐treated horses.Clinical significanceIntra‐articular CIMSC treatment results in prolonged soundness in horses with tarsometatarsal lameness.