Intra-Articular Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Elbow Osteoarthritis in Dogs: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Stanley E Kim,Jo Anne Au Yong,Mariana Lopez-Velazquez,Kathryn Petrucci,Anna E Dunlap,Sarah Townsend,Scott A Christopher,Matthew D Johnson,Antonio Pozzi,Jiunn-Chern Yeh,Daniel D Lewis

doi:10.3389/fvets.2019.00474

Stanley E Kim, Jo Anne Au Yong + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00474

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Abstract

Background: Intra-articular stem cell therapy may help alleviate lameness caused by osteoarthritis in dogs. Umbilical cord-derived stem cell (UMSC) therapy has not yet been investigated in a veterinary clinical study. We hypothesized that dogs treated with intra-articular UMSC will have improved limb function and quality of life when compared to dogs treated with a saline placebo injection.Methods: This was a prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in client-owned dogs with chronic elbow osteoarthritis with a follow-up time of 6 months. Dogs were assigned to receive intra-articular UMSC (n = 38) or a saline placebo intra-articular injection (n = 30). Outcome measures included the Canine Brief Pain Inventory score (CBPI) and peak vertical force (PVF) from force-platform gait analysis. Treatment was considered successful when there was a decrease in the Pain Severity Score of at least one and a decrease in the Pain Interference Score of at least one from baseline. Success rates and PVF were compared between groups.Results: No adverse effects associated with UMSC were noted. Of the dogs completing the study, treatment success in the UMSC (n = 28) vs. placebo groups (n = 23) was observed in 54 vs. 28% of dogs at 1 month, 50 vs. 27% at 3 months, and 46 vs. 14% at 6 months, respectively. Success rate in the UMSC group was significantly higher than the placebo group at 1 and 6 months after treatment. However, no differences in PVF of the affected limb over time was observed in either group.Conclusions: Intra-articular UMSC for osteoarthritis may improve clinical signs based on owner observations.

Highlights

Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is the most common cause of chronic pain affecting dogs in the United States [1]
Intra-articular Umbilical cord-derived stem cell (UMSC) for osteoarthritis may improve clinical signs based on owner observations
In the ITT population, 30 dogs were allocated to the UMSC group, and 25 dogs were allocated to the placebo group

Summary

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA), or degenerative joint disease, is the most common cause of chronic pain affecting dogs in the United States [1]. The goal of OA treatment is to reduce pain and increase limb function while improving quality of life. Common conventional non-surgical treatment options include the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and poly-sulfated glycosaminoglycans, as well as nutritional and behavior modifications. Many of these therapeutics are thought to alleviate arthralgia by mitigating inflammation. Intra-articular stem cell therapy may help alleviate lameness caused by osteoarthritis in dogs. We hypothesized that dogs treated with intra-articular UMSC will have improved limb function and quality of life when compared to dogs treated with a saline placebo injection

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