The use of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells for adjunctive treatment of presumptive urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in female dogs

Abstract

Background: Urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI) is a common problem in female dogs, but some dogs fail to achieve continence with standard treatment. Urethral submucosal injection of autologous skeletal muscle progenitor cells (skMPCs)previously has been shown to restore urethral function in a canine model of USMI.Hypothesis/Objective: To determine if urethral submucosal injection of skMPC alters continence in dogs with USMI that had previously failed standard medical management. We hypothesized that the injections would lead to improved continence.Animals: Fifteen client-owned dogs with USMI that had failed standard medical management.Methods: Dogs were prospectively enrolled into a single-armed clinical trial. Once enrolled, a triceps muscle of each dog was biopsied; the tissue specimens were digested, cultured, and expanded to 100 million cells before injection into the urethral submucosa using a surgical approach. Continence was assessed at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-injection using continence scores and urethral pressure profilometry.

ACVIM consensus statement on diagnosis and management of urinary incontinence in dogs

“…Thirteen of the 15 dogs had complete continence with additional medical treatment. Therefore, skeletal muscle progenitor cells may be a useful adjunct with medical treatment to achieve continence in female dogs with USMI, but currently the treatment is technically challenging, time‐consuming, and not widely available 98 …”

“…Thirteen of the 15 dogs had complete continence with additional medical treatment. Therefore, skeletal muscle progenitor cells may be a useful adjunct with medicaltreatment to achieve continence in female dogs with USMI, but currently the treatment is technically challenging, time-consuming, and not widely available 98. Panelists were divided between recommending urethral bulking agents vs surgical procedures as the first line treatment in female dogs with refractory USMI.…”