Safety of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for cartilage repair in 41 patients with 45 joints followed for up to 11 years and 5 months

Abstract

Among autologous somatic stem cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are the most widely used worldwide to repair not only mesenchymal tissues (bone, cartilage) but also many other kinds of tissues, including heart, skin, and liver. Autologous BMSCs are thought to be safe because of the absence of immunological reaction and disease transmission. However, it is possible that they will form tumours during long-term follow-up. In 1988, we transplanted autologous BMSCs to repair articular cartilage, which was the first such trial ever reported. Subsequently we performed this procedure in about 40 patients. Demonstration that neither partial infections nor tumours appeared in these patients provided strong evidence for the safety of autologous BMSC transplantation. Thus, in this study we checked these patients for tumour development and infections. Between January 1998 and November 2008, 41 patients received 45 transplantations. We checked their records until their last visit. We telephoned or mailed the patients who had not visited the clinics recently to establish whether there were any abnormalities in the operated joints. Neither tumours nor infections were observed between 5 and 137 (mean 75) months of follow-up. Autologous BMSC transplantation is a safe procedure and will be widely used around the world.

Would cancer stem cells affect the future investment in stem cell therapy

“…Regardless, as the field of CSCs begin to develop into a hierarchy, the field of stem cell therapy will benefit because decisions could be made on which cancer cells will be affected by other stem cells, such as MSCs [19,20] . This point is important because MSCs, which are currently in clinical trials [21][22][23] , can support and also protect cancer growth [19,20,24] . The major problem that is envisioned for stem cell therapy is linked to undiagnosed cancers.…”

Atualização no diagnóstico e tratamento das lesões condrais do joelho

“…Wakitini et al (54) published a study demonstrating the safety of autologous bone marrow cell transplantation for treating osteochondral defect, after 11 years and 5 months of follow-up. No occurrences of tumors or infections were observed during this follow-up, and the autologous bone marrow cell transplantation was considered to be a safe procedure.…”

Regenerative Orthopedics

“…Wakatani described effective treatment of cartilage defects in 9 knees with culture expanded MSCs (Wakitani et al, 2007). These authors also published an 11-year prospective study of 45 knees (in 41 patients) treated with autologous cultured, bone marrow MSCs, with results indicating both safety and efficacy (Wakitani et al, 2010). Nejadnik recently described a comparison between surgically implanted chondrocytes versus cultured MSCs placed by needle in 72 knees of older patients.…”