Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy For Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 (Preprint)

Abstract

UNSTRUCTURED The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread over the world and there is still no specific treatment. Beside many drug studies, there is not enough data about the place of cellular therapies. In this study, we used second passage cGMP grade umbilical cord-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cell (MSC) via a combined intratracheal/intravenous route as a novel administration protocol. After the treatment, the values of inflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein of all patients decreased significantly [(before MSC therapy, mean: 84,8 mg/L (2,4-272 mg/L); after MSC administration, mean: 6,5 mg/L (0,3-25,3 mg/L)], procalcitonin decreased for 6 of 7 patients, increasing lymphocyte count was detected in 5 of 7 patients and pulmonary functions PaO2/FiO2 and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) improved in 5 of 7 patients within 7 days after MSC therapy. At the time of MSC administration, all 7 patients were receiving mechanical ventilation. After MSC therapy, 4 of 7 patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation. Although this study has limitations, the outcomes are promising for the advanced stages of COVID-19 pneumonia.