Cancer risk is not increased in patients treated for orthopaedic diseases with autologous bone marrow cell concentrate

Autologous concentrated bone marrow injection for precollapse osteonecrosis of the femoral head concurrent with contralateral total hip arthroplasty: protocol for a clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

The femoral head contralateral to the collapsed femoral head requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA) often manifests in the precollapse stage of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). It is not yet demonstrated how autologous concentrated bone marrow injection may prevent collapse of the femoral head concurrent with contralateral THA. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of autologous concentrated bone marrow injection for the contralateral, non-collapsed, femoral head in patients with bilateral ONFH, with the ipsilateral collapsed femoral head undergoing THA.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a multicentre, prospective, non-randomised, historical-data controlled study. We will recruit patients with ONFH who are scheduled for THA and possess a non-collapsed contralateral femoral head. Autologous bone marrow will be collected using a point-of-care device. After concentration, the bone marrow will be injected into the non-collapsed femoral head following the completion of THA in the contralateral hip. The primary outcome is the percentage of femoral head collapse evaluated by an independent data monitoring committee using plain X-rays in two directions 2 years after autologous concentrated bone marrow injection. Postinjection safety, adverse events, pain and hip function will also be assessed. The patients will be evaluated preoperatively, and at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years postoperatively.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol has been approved by the Certified Committee for Regenerative Medicine of Tokyo Medical and Dental University and Japan's Ministry of Healthy, Labour and Welfare and will be performed as a class III regenerative medicine protocol, in accordance with Japan's Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine. The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-review journal for publication. The results of this study are expected to provide evidence to support the inclusion of autologous concentrated bone marrow injections in the non-collapsed femoral head in Japan's national insurance coverage.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

jRCTc032200229.

Nasal septum-derived chondroprogenitor cells control mandibular condylar resorption consequent to orthognathic surgery: a clinical trial

Condylar resorption is an aggressive and disability form of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) degenerative disease, usually non-respondent to conservative or minimally invasive therapies and often leading to surgical intervention and prostheses implantation. This condition is also one of the most dreaded postoperative complications of orthognathic surgery, with severe cartilage erosion and loss of subchondral bone volume and mineral density, associated with a painful or not inflammatory processes. Because regenerative medicine has emerged as an alternative for orthopedic cases with advanced degenerative joint disease, we conducted a phase I/IIa clinical trial (U1111-1194-6997) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous nasal septal chondroprogenitor cells. Ten participants underwent biopsy of the nasal septum cartilage during their orthognathic surgery. The harvested cells were cultured in vitro and analyzed for viability, presence of phenotype markers for mesenchymal stem and/or chondroprogenitor cells, and the potential to differentiate into chondrocytes, adipocytes, and osteoblasts. After the intra-articular injection of the cell therapy, clinical follow-up was performed using the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and computed tomography (CT) images. No serious adverse events related to the cell therapy injection were observed during the 12-month follow-up period. It was found that autologous chondroprogenitors reduced arthralgia, promoted stabilization of mandibular function and condylar volume, and regeneration of condylar tissues. This study demonstrates that chondroprogenitor cells from the nasal septum may be a promise strategy for the treatment of temporomandibular degenerative joint disease that do not respond to other conservative therapies.

Cell-based versus corticosteroid injections for knee pain in osteoarthritis: a randomized phase 3 trial

Various types of cellular injection have become a popular and costly treatment option for patients with knee osteoarthritis despite a paucity of literature establishing relative efficacy to each other or corticosteroid injections. Here we aimed to identify the safety and efficacy of cell injections from autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate, autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction and allogeneic human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells, in comparison to corticosteroid injection (CSI). The study was a phase 2/3, four-arm parallel, multicenter, single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial with 480 patients with a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence II-IV). Participants were randomized to the three different arms with a 3:1 distribution. Arm 1: autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (n = 120), CSI (n = 40); arm 2: umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (n = 120), CSI (n = 40); arm 3: stromal vascular fraction (n = 120), CSI (n = 40). The co-primary endpoints were the visual analog scale pain score and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain score at 12 months versus baseline. Analyses of our primary endpoints, with 440 patients, revealed that at 1 year post injection, none of the three orthobiologic injections was superior to another, or to the CSI control. In addition, none of the four groups showed a significant change in magnetic resonance imaging osteoarthritis score compared to baseline. No procedure-related serious adverse events were reported during the study period. In summary, this study shows that at 1 year post injection, there was no superior orthobiologic as compared to CSI for knee osteoarthritis. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03818737.

Evaluation of the Safety of Percutaneous Sensory Nerve Stimulation in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Chemoradiotherapy

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer; however, CRT may cause post-treatment dysphagia. Transcutaneous electrical sensory stimulation (TESS), developed in recent years for swallowing rehabilitation, is used at many medical facilities. Although TESS has been used for dysphagia in several fields, its safety and efficacy in patients with head and neck cancer remain to be clarified. Therefore, this study evaluated the safety of TESS in ten patients with head and neck cancers undergoing CRT. Swallowing rehabilitation intervention and TESS implementation were performed for all patients during CRT. Non-blood-toxicity adverse events (AEs), such as dermatitis and mucositis, occurred during CRT; however, the severity was less than grade 3. No patient experienced pain due to TESS. As survival time analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method for interferential current device implementation rates revealed a feasibility of 100% for up to 60 Gy and a feasibility of 78% for up to 70 Gy, TESS may be feasible until 70 Gy. This study confirmed the feasibility and safety of TESS in the head and neck region during CRT. Although the precise mechanism of TESS on dysphagia remains unclear, its continued use has great potential for improving sensory disturbance.

An exploratory clinical trial for concentrated autologous bone marrow aspirate transplantation in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel treatment for osteonecrosis, in which concentrated autologous bone marrow aspirate transplantation (CABMAT) is followed by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) stimulation for 3 months. The study was designed as a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label phase II clinical study.

METHODS

This study included 16 cases of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), including 26 hips. Patients were transplanted with concentrated bone marrow and periodically evaluated for infection and neoplasm development. Moreover, clinical and radiological examinations were conducted to confirm the treatment efficacy.

RESULTS

No infections were observed during the course of this study nor tumours developed at the treatment site 24 months after transplantation. At a mean 48 (30-56) months post-transplantation, the onset or progression of collapse was noted in four hips, of which one hip underwent total hip arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with CABMAT combined with 3-month LIPUS stimulation was safe, and further randomised clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy and feasibility of this treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000020940, 9/2/2016).

AAOS Technology Overview Summary: Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate for Knee Osteoarthritis

The Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate (CBMA) for Knee Osteoarthritis Technology Overview is based on a systematic review of current scientific and clinical research. Through analysis of the current best evidence, this technology overview seeks to evaluate the efficacy of CBMA for patients with knee osteoarthritis. The systematic literature review resulted in 12 articles: three high-quality, four moderate-quality, and five low-quality. The findings of these studies were summarized to present findings on CBMA versus placebo and CBMA versus other treatment modalities. In addition, the work group highlighted areas for needed additional research when evidence proved lacking on the topic and carefully noted the potential harms associated with an intervention, required resource utilization, acceptability, and feasibility.

Mesenchymal stem cells for subchondral bone marrow lesions: From bench to bedside

Subchondral bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are areas of disease within subchondral bone that appear as T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense ill-defined areas of bone marrow on magnetic resonance imaging. The most common bone marrow lesions include subchondral lesions related to osteoarthritis, osteochondral defects, and avascular necrosis. Emerging therapies include autologous biologic therapeutics, in particular mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), to maintain and improve cartilage health; MSCs have become a potential treatment option for BMLs given the unmet need for disease modification. Active areas in the preclinical research of bone marrow lesions include the paracrine function of MSCs in pathways of angiogenesis and inflammation, and the use of bioactive scaffolds to optimize the environment for implanted MSCs by facilitating chondrogenesis and higher bone volumes. A review of the clinical data demonstrates improvements in pain and functional outcomes when patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with MSCs, suggesting that BM-MSCs can be a safe and effective treatment for patients with painful knee osteoarthritis with or without bone marrow lesions. Preliminary data examining MSCs in osteochondral defects suggest they can be beneficial as a subchondral injection alone, or as a surgical augmentation. In patients with hip avascular necrosis, those with earlier stage disease have improved outcomes when core decompression is augmented with MSCs, whereas patients in later stages post-collapse have equivalent outcomes with or without MSC treatment. While the evidence for the use of MSCs in conditions with associated bone marrow lesions seems promising, there remains a need for continued investigation into this treatment as a viable treatment option.

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Common BMLs include osteoarthritis, osteochondral defects, and avascular necrosis.

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Patients with knee osteoarthritis treated with MSCs show improved pain and function.

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MSCs used as subchondral injection or surgical augmentation in osteochondral defects

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Improved outcomes of early hip avascular necrosis after core decompression with MSCs

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Additional preclinical and clinical evidence of MSCs as treatment for BMLs is needed.

The rate of venous thromboembolism after knee bone marrow concentrate procedures: should we anticoagulate?

PURPOSE

Intra-articular injections of autologous, minimally manipulated, cell therapies such as bone marrow concentrate (BMC) to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA) may delay or prevent future total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Arthroplasty has the known and substantial risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and requires routine prophylaxis, whereas the VTE risk associated with knee BMC injections is unknown. We report on the rate of VTE from a large orthobiologics patient registry and assess whether knee BMC procedures require routine prophylaxis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of knee osteoarthritis cases tracked in a treatment registry and treated at 72 clinical sites with BMC from 2007 to 2020 who were not prophylactically anticoagulated was performed to identify adverse events (AEs) associated with VTE. Treating physicians were contacted to improve discovery of possible occurrences of VTE.

RESULTS

Twenty cases (0.16%) of VTE were identified from the registry of 12,780 knee BMC treatments. These events were less frequent than the published data demonstrate for anticoagulated TKA patients.

CONCLUSION

Based on the rates of VTE from our retrospective treatment registry analysis compared to the risk of medication-induced haemorrhage, routine prophylactic anticoagulation is not recommended for intra-articular knee BMC procedures. Further research into safety and efficacy of BMC treatment for knee OA is warranted.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

NCT03011398, retrospectively registered.

Grafting of autologous concentrated bone marrow processed using a point-of-care device for patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head: A phase 1 feasibility and safety study

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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There are accumulated evidence of concentrated bone marrow grafting for hip osteonecrosis.

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A “point-of-care device” for concentrated bone marrow (CBM) grafting has been developed.

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This study has confirmed the feasibility and safety of CBM grafting using BioCUE system.

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A further study aiming for the authorization of this procedure should be conducted in the future.

Topical Review: Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Its Clinical Use in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is now commonly used in orthopedic surgery. Animal studies showed promising results for cartilage, bone, and soft tissue healing; however, many of these outcomes have yet to be translated to human models. While there has been an increase in the use of BMAC in foot and ankle procedures, the associated clinical evidence is limited. The purpose of this review is to analyze the existing literature in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BMAC in foot and ankle surgery.

Editorial Commentary: Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Mobilization Using Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor for Articular Cartilage Injuries: Wake Them Up and Make Them Come to You!

Articular cartilage injuries constitute a prevalent musculoskeletal problem in the general population. Restorative cartilage procedures are specifically challenging, as recapitulating hyaline cartilage can be difficult, thus compromising clinical outcomes. Progenitor cells for the treatment of articular cartilage injuries constitute a promising therapeutic method that has been increasing exponentially. Progenitor cells can be obtained from many different human tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, and muscle, as well as from peripheral blood after mobilizing stem cells from bone marrow with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor simulation. The minimally invasiveness, low complication rate, and efficacy of peripheral blood stem cells has gained significant attention and rapidly has become a promising source of progenitor cell delivery in the past decade.

Application of MALDI-TOF MS Profiling Coupled With Functionalized Magnetic Enrichment for Rapid Identification of Pathogens in a Patient With Open Fracture

Posttraumatic infections can occur in orthopedic trauma patients, especially in open fractures. Rapid and accurate identification of pathogens in orthopedic trauma is important for clinical diagnosis and antimicrobial treatment. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been successfully used for first-line identification of pathogens grown on culture plates. However, for direct analysis of liquid clinical specimens, pre-purification of the sample is necessary. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of coupling Fc-MBL@Fe₃O₄ enrichment with MALDI-TOF MS profiling in the identification of pathogens in liquid-cultured samples. This method is successfully used for the identification of pathogens in a patient with an open-leg fracture obtained at sea. Pathogens were enriched by Fc-MBL@Fe₃O₄ from briefly pre-cultured liquid media and identified by MALDI-TOF MS. We identified an opportunistic pathogen, Vibrio alginolyticus, which is uncommon in clinical orthopedic trauma infection but exists widely in the sea. Therefore, combining Fc-MBL@Fe₃O₄ enrichment and MALDI-TOF MS profiling has great potential for direct identification of microbes in clinical samples.

Ankle osteonecrosis in fifty-one children and adolescent's leukemia survivors: a prospective randomized study on percutaneous mesenchymal stem cells treatment

PURPOSE

Corticoid treatment associated with haematologic treatments can lead to ankle osteonecrosis in children's survivors of acute leukemia (ALL). Based on the efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hip osteonecrosis, we performed an evaluation of this treatment in 51 children and adolescents who had symptomatic ankle osteonecrosis after therapy for haematologic cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The 51 patients had a total of 79 osteonecrosis sites on MRI, with 29 talus sites, 18 metaphyseal tibia sites, 12 epiphyseal tibia sites, eight calcaneus sites, six fibula sites, four navicular sites, and two cuboid sites. In this prospective randomized trial, 37 ankles were addressed for cell therapy, 37 others for core decompression alone, and 20 were considered as a control group without treatment. We analyzed the outcome of this treatment osteonecrosis, the number and characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal cells (MSCs) that could be transplanted, and the risks of tumorigenesis in these patients with haematologic cancers. The patients were operated on over a period of ten years from 2000 to 2010 and were monitored through December 31, 2019.

RESULTS

Despite a normal systemic blood cells count, MSCs in the iliac crest (counted as CFU-F) were in low number (1021 MSCs/mL; range 314-3015) and were of host origin after even allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Better clinical outcomes (pain, foot and ankle deformity) and osteonecrosis repair on MRI with absence of collapse were obtained in ankles that received cell therapy as compared with those with core decompression alone or those without initial surgery. No tumour was found on MRI at the sites of injection and this study found no increased risk of recurrence or of new cancer in this population after an average follow-up of 15 years.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that autologous MSCs can improve the quality of life of leukemia survivors with ankle osteonecrosis.

Frontiers in non-union research

Multifactorial aetiology defines non-unions, with a biological and a mechanical distortion of the timeline of bone healing.

Research on new advances to increase osteogenesis and promote non-union healing is strongly directed towards new forms of cell products.

Basic science and research on non-union treatments is needed to compile preclinical data on new treatments.

Bone marrow concentration and expanded mesenchymal stromal cells still require extensive clinical research to confirm efficacy in non-union treatment.

Solid preclinical studies, precise cell product definition and preparation, and appropriate ethical and regulatory approvals are needed to assess new advanced therapy medicinal products.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:574-583. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190062

The Use of Peripheral Blood-Derived Stem Cells for Cartilage Repair and Regeneration In Vivo: A Review

Background

Peripheral blood (PB) is a potential source of chondrogenic progenitor cells that can be used for cartilage repair and regeneration. However, the cell types, isolation and implantation methods, seeding dosage, ultimate therapeutic effect, and in vivo safety remain unclear.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science databases were systematically searched for relevant reports published from January 1990 to December 2019. Original articles that used PB as a source of stem cells to repair cartilage in vivo were selected for analysis.

Results

A total of 18 studies were included. Eight human studies used autologous nonculture-expanded PB-derived stem cells (PBSCs) as seed cells with the blood cell separation isolation method, and 10 animal studies used autologous, allogenic or xenogeneic culture-expanded PB-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs), or nonculture-expanded PBSCs as seed cells. Four human and three animal studies surgically implanted cells, while the remaining studies implanted cells by single or repeated intra-articular injections. 121 of 130 patients (in 8 human clinical studies), and 230 of 278 animals (in 6 veterinary clinical studies) using PBSCs for cartilage repair achieved significant clinical improvement. All reviewed articles indicated that using PB as a source of seed cells enhances cartilage repair in vivo without serious adverse events.

Conclusion

Autologous nonculture-expanded PBSCs are currently the most commonly used cells among all stem cell types derived from PB. Allogeneic, autologous, and xenogeneic PB-MSCs are more widely used in animal studies and are potential seed cell types for future applications. Improving the mobilization and purification technology, and shortening the culture cycle of culture-expanded PB-MSCs will obviously promote the researchers' interest. The use of PBSCs for cartilage repair and regeneration in vivo are safe. PBSCs considerably warrant further investigations due to their superiority and safety in clinical settings and positive effects despite limited evidence in humans.

Orthobiologics for the Hip Region: A Narrative Review

Management of hip region disorders is challenging. Orthobiologic treatments including platelet rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells, and amniotic injectables have gained popularity as promising treatments despite a lack of robust evidence for their effectiveness. We review rationale and current evidence for orthobiologics for three common hip region conditions: hip osteoarthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, and proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Overall, the current state of evidence is extremely limited for orthobiologic treatments and is predominantly relevant to PRP injections. There is currently a lack of data to support the use of mesenchymal stem cells or amniotic injectables in these conditions of the hip.

New Advances in Stem Cell Therapy for Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common refractory orthopedic disease with multiple etiologies that more frequently occurs in middle-aged and young people. ONFH is the main cause of hip replacement in young patients. Since Professor Hernigou first reported the use of stem cells in the treatment of early stage ONFH, a large number of studies have demonstrated the potential of stem cells in the treatment of adult patients with ONFH. With the rise of interdisciplinary stem cell therapy combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy, gene therapy or other methods have gradually attracted the attention of researchers. This article summarizes the current advances in stem cell therapy for ONFH, as well as the problems and challenges, which may provide reference for further research.

Reconstructive Science in Orthopedic Oncology

Limb salvage is widely practiced as standard of care in most cases of extremity bone sarcoma. Allograft and endoprosthesis reconstructions are the most widely utilized modalities for the reconstruction of large segment defects, however complication rates remain high. Aseptic loosening and infection remain the most common modes of failure. Implant integration, soft-tissue function, and infection prevention are crucial for implant longevity and function. Macro and micro alterations in implant design are reviewed in this manuscript. Tissue engineering principles using nanoparticles, cell-based, and biological augments have been utilized to develop implant coatings that improve osseointegration and decrease infection. Similar techniques have been used to improve the interaction between soft tissues and implants. Tissue engineered constructs (TEC) used in combination with, or in place of, traditional reconstructive techniques may represent the next major advancement in orthopaedic oncology reconstructive science, although preclinical results have yet to achieve durable translation to the bedside.

History of concentrated or expanded mesenchymal stem cells for hip osteonecrosis: is there a target number for osteonecrosis repair?

PURPOSE

Despite multiple possible treatments, the risk of collapse remains the main problem of osteonecrosis. Heart failure (HF). In an effort to address the reverse this issue, curative strategies with regenerative medicine are increasingly being considered. The aim of this technology is to halt or reverse progression of the disease to collapse.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pioneering report by Hernigou published in 2002 was the first pilot study suggesting that injection of bone marrow stem cells was a safe approach able to improve osteonecrosis in patients with early stages. Since then, an impressive number of studies and trials employing unselected BM-derived cells (1000 the last 2 years) showed that delivery of those cells to the site of osteonecrosis during core decompression was somehow able to ameliorate the patient with osteonecrosis. In order to translate the promise of this cell therapy into better clinical benefit, many questions need to be addressed. In this review, we therefore analyzed current clinical experience of the literature and our experience of 4000 cases to address these questions and particularly the number of cells that should be injected.

RESULTS

After almost 20 years of clinical research in this field, we are still far from having drawn conclusions on the number of cells we should inject in regenerating hip osteonecrosis. Findings are difficult to interpret due to heterogeneity of causes of osteonecrosis, as well as differences in the cells count, sample quality, and stages of osteonecrosis. The authors address specific issues, as cell quality, cell numbers, volume of osteonecrosis, concentration of cells, and ex vivo expansion. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are supposed to be "functionally competent," but are collected from the bon, marrow of patients with diseases and risk factors of osteonecrosis. The recipient organ (bone osteonecrosis) is a tissue where several alterations have already occurred. These questions are addressed in this review.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we analyzed current clinical experience regarding cell therapy and address issues that should be a guide for future cell-based therapeutic application in osteonecrosis.

Temporomandibular joint regeneration: proposal of a novel treatment for condylar resorption after orthognathic surgery using transplantation of autologous nasal septum chondrocytes, and the first human case report

Background

Upon orthognathic mandibular advancement surgery the adjacent soft tissues can displace the distal bone segment and increase the load on the temporomandibular joint causing loss of its integrity. Remodeling of the condyle and temporal fossa with destruction of condylar cartilage and subchondral bone leads to postsurgical condylar resorption, with arthralgia and functional limitations. Patients with severe lesions are refractory to conservative treatments, leading to more invasive therapies that range from simple arthrocentesis to open surgery and prosthesis. Although aggressive and with a high risk for the patient, surgical invasive treatments are not always efficient in managing the degenerative lesions.

Methods

We propose a regenerative medicine approach using in-vitro expanded autologous cells from nasal septum applied to the first proof-of-concept patient. After the required quality controls, the cells were injected into each joint by arthrocentesis. Results were monitored by functional assays and image analysis using computed tomography.

Results

The cell injection fully reverted the condylar resorption, leading to functional and structural regeneration after 6 months. Computed tomography images showed new cortical bone formation filling the former cavity space, and a partial recovery of condylar and temporal bones. The superposition of the condyle models showed the regeneration of the bone defect, reconstructing the condyle original form.

Conclusions

We propose a new treatment of condylar resorption subsequent to orthognathic surgery, presently treated only by alloplastic total joint replacement. We propose an intra-articular injection of autologous in-vitro expanded cells from the nasal septum. The proof-of-concept treatment of a selected patient that had no alternative therapeutic proposal has given promising results, reaching full regeneration of both the condylar cartilage and bone at 6 months after the therapy, which was fully maintained after 1 year. This first case is being followed by inclusion of new patients with a similar pathological profile to complete an ongoing stage I/II study.

Trial registration

This clinical trial is approved by the National Commission of Ethics in Medical Research (CONEP), Brazil, CAAE 12484813.0.0000.5245, and retrospectively registered in the Brazilian National Clinical Trials Registry and in the USA Clinical Trials Registry under the Universal Trial Number (UTN) U1111–1194-6997.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0806-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A systematic review of the concept and clinical applications of bone marrow aspirate concentrate in tendon pathology

Tendon pathologies are a group of musculoskeletal conditions frequently seen in clinical practice. They can be broadly classified into traumatic, degenerative and overuse-related tendinopathies. Rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendinopathy and tennis elbow are common examples of these conditions. Conventional treatments have shown inconsistent outcomes and might fail to provide satisfactory clinical improvement. With the growing trend towards the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in other branches of medicine, there is an increasing interest in treating tendon pathologies using the bone marrow MSC. In this article, we provide a systematic literature review documenting the current status of the use of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for the treatment of tendon pathologies. We also asked the question on the safety of BMAC and whether there are potential complications associated with BMAC therapy. Our hypothesis is that the use of BMAC provides safe clinical benefit when used for the treatment of tendinopathy or as a biological augmentation of tendon repair. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist while preparing this systematic review. A literature search was carried out including the online databases of PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrial.gov and the Cochrane Library from 1960 to the end of May 2015. Relevant studies were selected and critically appraised. Data from eligible studies were extracted and classified per type of tendon pathology. We included 37 articles discussing the application and use of BMAC for the treatment of tendon pathologies. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) appraisal confirmed a satisfactory standard of 37 studies. Studies were sub-categorised into: techniques of extraction, processing and microscopic examination of BMAC (n = 18), where five studies looked at the evaluation of aspiration techniques (n = 5), augmentation of rotator cuff tears (n = 5), augmentation of tendo-achilles tendon (n = 1), treatment of gluteal tendon injuries (n = 1), management of elbow epicondylitis (n = 2), management of patellar tendinopathy (n = 1) and complications related to BMAC (n = 5). Multiple experimental studies investigated the use of BMAC for tendon repair; nonetheless, there are only limited clinical studies available in this field. Unfortunately, due to the scarcity of studies, which were mainly case series, the current level of evidence is weak. We strongly recommend further future randomised controlled studies in this field to allow scientists and clinicians make evidence-based conclusions.

Role of Bone Marrow Aspirate in Orthopedic Trauma

Bone marrow aspirate grafting entails mesenchymal stem cell-containing bone marrow harvesting and injection into a fracture site to promote bone formation. Although the use of bone marrow aspirate in orthopedic trauma is not widespread, an increasing number of studies are reporting clinical success. Advantages of using bone marrow aspirate are that it is readily obtainable, has low harvest morbidity, and can be easily and quickly injected. However, no universally accepted role for its use exists. Future studies directly comparing bone marrow aspirate with conventional techniques are needed to define its role in the treatment of orthopedic trauma patients.

Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Autologous Therapy in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Intervertebral Disc Disease: Feasibility, Safety, and Preliminary Results

The intradiscal application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered a promising strategy for intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration. Although many studies have been published, the feasibility and regenerative effects of intradiscal MSC application have not been evaluated in an animal model suffering from naturally occurring degenerative disc disease. Six German Shepherd Dogs suffering from naturally occurring degenerative IVD disease were included. Autologous MSCs were isolated from bone marrow (iliac crest) and cultured for 3 weeks. After decompressive spinal surgery, three dogs received an intradiscal injection of MSCs, while the other three dogs received an intradiscal injection of saline (control). Clinical status, disc height index, Pfirrmann grading, and disc volumetry were evaluated at 1, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Autologous application of canine MSCs was feasible and successful in all dogs. No evident complication was found. Surgery resulted in an equal improvement in clinical status in the treatment and control dogs. In the MSC group, the Pfirrmann grade increased in all patients over time, whereas in the control group, the Pfirrmann grade remained stable. The volume of the L7-S1 IVD gradually increased during the 12-month study period in all dogs, with no evident difference between the MSC and control group. On the basis of this preliminary study, it can be concluded that intradiscal injection of autologous MSCs in dogs with spontaneous degenerative IVD disease is well tolerated without any adverse effects, does not affect clinical outcome, and does not have any evident regenerative effects.

The Holy Grail of Orthopedic Surgery: Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Their Current Uses and Potential Applications

Only select tissues and organs are able to spontaneously regenerate after disease or trauma, and this regenerative capacity diminishes over time. Human stem cell research explores therapeutic regenerative approaches to treat various conditions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from adult stem cells; they are multipotent and exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. They can differentiate into multiple cell types of the mesenchyme, for example, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, fibroblasts, tenocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells, and sarcomere muscular cells. MSCs are easily obtained and can be cultivated and expanded in vitro; thus, they represent a promising and encouraging treatment approach in orthopedic surgery. Here, we review the application of MSCs to various orthopedic conditions, namely, orthopedic trauma; muscle injury; articular cartilage defects and osteoarthritis; meniscal injuries; bone disease; nerve, tendon, and ligament injuries; spinal cord injuries; intervertebral disc problems; pediatrics; and rotator cuff repair. The use of MSCs in orthopedics may transition the practice in the field from predominately surgical replacement and reconstruction to bioregeneration and prevention. However, additional research is necessary to explore the safety and effectiveness of MSC treatment in orthopedics, as well as applications in other medical specialties.

Evidence for the Use of Cell-Based Therapy for the Treatment of Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Cell-therapy has been promoted among the therapeutic arsenal that can aid in bone formation and remodeling, in early stages of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the evidence supporting the (1) clinical efficacy; (2) structural modifying effect, as evaluated radiographically; (3) revision rates; and (4) safety of cell-therapy for the treatment of ONFH.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed including studies with a level-of-evidence of III or higher. A total of 1483 articles were screened. Eleven studies met the criteria for inclusion in this review (level-of-evidence: 6 level-I, 1 level-II, and 4 level-III), including 683 cases of ONFH.

RESULTS

All 10 studies that reported patient-reported outcomes showed improved outcomes in the cell-therapy groups compared with the control group. Overall, 24.5% (93/380 hips) that received cell-therapy showed radiographic progression compared with 40% (98/245 hips) in the control group. Nine of 10 studies that reported failure rates showed a lower total hip arthroplasty conversion rate in the cell-therapy group 16% (62/380 hips) compared with the control group 21% (52/252 hips). There was a low complication rate (<3%) with no major adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Cell-therapies for the treatment of ONFH have been reported to be safe and suggest improved clinical outcomes with lower disease progression rate. However, there was substantial heterogeneity in the included studies, and in the cell-based therapies used. Specific clinical indications and cell-therapy standardization are required because studies varied widely with respect to cell sourcing, cell characterization, adjuvant therapies, and assessment of outcomes.

Regenerative Medicine in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: A Review

The field of regenerative medicine aims at enhancing tissue healing and regeneration through the exogenous addition of therapeutic growth factors and cells, often in combination with tissue-compatible scaffolds. Perhaps the biggest advances in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS) in the coming years will be the result of regenerative medicine techniques. While many articles on regenerative medicine have been published in the FPRS literature, to our knowledge there are no reviews that describe both soft-tissue and bony regeneration strategies, including scaffolds, stem cells, growth factors, and platelet-rich plasma. In reviewing the literature, we found that these strategies have produced very promising results and that regenerative medicine has the potential to augment conventional treatment options in the FPRS subspecialty. In the near future, these novel approaches may begin to replace autologous grafting and free tissue transfer in FPRS, the current standards of care. In this review we look at where our subspecialty is today with regard to regenerative medicine and suggest ways for future study and growth.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Transplantation Combined with Human Parathyroid Hormone 1-34 Administration to Treat Osteonecrosis in a Rabbit Model

No studies have examined the transplantation of a bone marrow aspirate (BMA) containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with human parathyroid hormone 1-34 (hPTH1-34) administration. Therefore, we evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of autologous BMA transplantation combined with hPHT1-34 administration in a bone necrosis model. The metatarsal bones of rabbits were necrotized using liquid nitrogen, and the rabbits received a BMA transplantation or saline injection followed by hPTH1-34 (30 μg/kg) or saline administration three times per week (n = 3-4 per group). The rabbits were euthanized at 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. No systemic adverse effects or local neoplastic lesions were observed. Importantly, the rabbits in the BMA transplantation plus hPTH1-34 group showed the highest bone volumes and histological scores of new bone. These data confirmed the feasibility of BMA transplantation combined with hPTH1-34, at least during the experimental period. The observed efficacy may be explained by a synergistic effect from the stimulation of MSC differentiation to osteoblasts with hPTH1-34-mediated suppression of apoptosis in osteoblasts. These results indicate the promising potential for BMA transplantation combined with hPTH1-34 administration in bone necrosis treatment. Longer term experiments are needed to confirm the safety of this therapeutic strategy.

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for Bone Healing in Foot and Ankle Surgery

Autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) has become a popular orthobiologic to augment bone healing. The potential benefit comes from osteoprogenitor cells and growth factors that can lead to new bone formation in the setting of foot and ankle arthrodesis procedures. BMAC has an excellent safety record and has demonstrated efficacy in animal models of bone healing. Although scant, the literature on the use of BMAC in foot and ankle surgery does demonstrate promise for this orthobiologic adjuvant.

Intra-Articular Cellular Therapy for Osteoarthritis and Focal Cartilage Defects of the Knee: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Study Quality Analysis

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular cellular therapy injections constitute an appealing strategy that may modify the intra-articular milieu or regenerate cartilage in the settings of osteoarthritis and focal cartilage defects. However, little consensus exists regarding the indications for cellular therapies, optimal cell sources, methods of preparation and delivery, or means by which outcomes should be reported.

METHODS

We present a systematic review of the current literature regarding the safety and efficacy of cellular therapy delivered by intra-articular injection in the knee that provided a Level of Evidence of III or higher. A total of 420 papers were screened. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified Coleman methodology score.

RESULTS

Only 6 studies (4 Level II and 2 Level III) met the criteria to be included in this review; 3 studies were on treatment of osteoarthritis and 3 were on treatment of focal cartilage defects. These included 4 randomized controlled studies without blinding, 1 prospective cohort study, and 1 retrospective therapeutic case-control study. The studies varied widely with respect to cell sources, cell characterization, adjuvant therapies, and assessment of outcomes. Outcome was reported in a total of 300 knees (124 in the osteoarthritis studies and 176 in the cartilage defect studies). Mean follow-up was 21.0 months (range, 12 to 36 months). All studies reported improved outcomes with intra-articular cellular therapy and no major adverse events. The mean modified Coleman methodology score was 59.1 ± 16 (range, 32 to 82).

CONCLUSIONS

The studies of intra-articular cellular therapy injections for osteoarthritis and focal cartilage defects in the human knee suggested positive results with respect to clinical improvement and safety. However, the improvement was modest and a placebo effect cannot be disregarded. The overall quality of the literature was poor, and the methodological quality was fair, even among Level-II and III studies. Effective clinical assessment and optimization of injection therapies will demand greater attention to study methodology, including blinding; standardized quantitative methods for cell harvesting, processing, characterization, and delivery; and standardized reporting of clinical and structural outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Intra-articular bone marrow concentrate injection protocol: short-term efficacy in osteoarthritis

AIM

Evaluate intra-articular injection of bone marrow concentrate (BMC), followed by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection at 8 weeks follow-up in moderate/severe osteoarthritis.

DESIGN

Single center, retrospective Case Series (n = 125).

METHODS

Bone marrow was aspirated/concentrated using a standardized technique. Patients received a single intra-articular injection of BMC, with follow-up injection of PRP at 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Median absolute pain reduction in all joints was five points (71.4%) on visual analog scale. Median patient satisfaction was 9.0/10, while 91.7% indicated that they would repeat the procedure and 94% said that they would recommend the procedure to a friend.

CONCLUSION

Intra-articular injection of BMC, followed by a PRP injection, can provide short-term benefits in moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis.

Bone repair with skeletal stem cells: rationale, progress to date and clinical application

Bone marrow (BM) contains stem cells for both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic lineages. Hematopoietic stem cells enable hematopoiesis to occur in a controlled manner in order to accurately compensate for the loss of short- as well as long-lived mature blood cells. The physiological role of nonhematopoietic BM stem cells, often referred to as multipotential stromal cells or skeletal stem cells (SSCs), is less understood. According to an authoritative current opinion, the main function of SSCs is to give rise to cartilage, bone, marrow fat and hematopoiesis-supportive stroma, in a specific sequence during embryonic and postnatal development. This review outlines recent advances in the understanding of origins and homeostatic functions of SSCs in vivo and highlights current and future SSC-based treatments for skeletal and joint disorders.

Decreased Osteogenic Activity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Corticosteroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

BACKGROUND

Osteonecrosis (ON) of the femoral head occurs when cells of trabecular bone spontaneously die. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been introduced into the femoral head in an attempt to halt progression of the disease. The purpose of this study was to functionally compare MSCs in patients with ON of the femoral head with patients without.

METHODS

Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from 20 patients with corticosteroid-induced ON and 10 controls without. Colony-forming unit and proliferation assays were used to assess MSC proliferation. Mesenchymal stem cells were differentiated into bone, fat, and cartilage. Functional assays were used to quantify the differentiation capacity.

RESULTS

Control MSCs demonstrated greater cellular growth potential and improved ability to differentiate into bone.

CONCLUSION

The decreased ability to differentiate into bone may be a reason why patients treated with autologous MSC infusion fail regenerative treatment strategies and progress to collapse.

Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Hip Osteonecrosis: A 30-Year Review of Progress

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is caused by a multitude of etiologic factors and is associated with collapse with a risk of hip arthroplasty in younger populations. A focus on early disease management with the use of stem cells was proposed as early as 1985 by the senior author (PH). We undertook a systematic review of the medical literature to examine the progress in cell therapy during the last 30 years for the treatment of early stage osteonecrosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells increase proliferation but do not change quiescent state of osteosarcoma cells: Potential implications according to the tumor resection status

Conventional therapy of primary bone tumors includes surgical excision with wide resection, which leads to physical and aesthetic defects. For reconstruction of bone and joints, allografts can be supplemented with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Similarly, adipose tissue transfer (ATT) is supplemented with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to improve the efficient grafting in the correction of soft tissue defects. MSC-like cells may also be used in tumor-targeted cell therapy. However, MSC may have adverse effects on sarcoma development. In the present study, human ADSCs, MSCs and pre-osteoclasts were co-injected with human MNNG-HOS osteosarcoma cells in immunodeficient mice. ADSCs and MSCs, but not the osteoclast precursors, accelerated the local proliferation of MNNG-HOS osteosarcoma cells. However, the osteolysis and the metastasis process were not exacerbated by ADSCs, MSCs, or pre-osteoclasts. In vitro proliferation of MNNG-HOS and Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells was increased up to 2-fold in the presence of ADSC-conditioned medium. In contrast, ADSC-conditioned medium did not change the dormant, quiescent state of osteosarcoma cells cultured in oncospheres. Due to the enhancing effect of ADSCs/MSCs on in vivo/in vitro proliferation of osteosarcoma cells, MSCs may not be good candidates for osteosarcoma-targeted cell therapy. Although conditioned medium of ADSCs accelerated the cell cycle of proliferating osteosarcoma cells, it did not change the quiescent state of dormant osteosarcoma cells, indicating that ADSC-secreted factors may not be involved in the risk of local recurrence.

Percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate cells significantly reduces lumbar discogenic pain through 12 months

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) induces chronic back pain with limited nonsurgical options. In this open label pilot study, 26 patients (median age 40 years; range 18-61) received autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC) disc injections (13 one level, 13 two levels). Pretreatment Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) were performed to establish baseline pain scores (average 56.5 and 79.3, respectively), while magnetic resonance imaging was independently scored according to the modified Pfirrmann scale. Approximately 1 ml of BMC was analyzed for total nucleated cell (TNC) content, colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) frequency, differentiation potential, and phenotype characterization. The average ODI and VAS scores were reduced to 22.8 and 29.2 at 3 months, 24.4 and 26.3 at 6 months, and 25.0 and 33.2 at 12 months, respectively (p ≤ .0001). Eight of twenty patients improved by one modified Pfirrmann grade at 1 year. The average BMC contained 121 × 10(6) TNC/ml with 2,713 CFU-F/ml (synonymous with mesenchymal stem cells). Although all subjects presented a substantial reduction in pain, patients receiving greater than 2,000 CFU-F/ml experienced a significantly faster and greater reduction in ODI and VAS. Subjects older than 40 years who received fewer than 2,000 CFU-F/ml experienced an average pain reduction of 33.7% (ODI) and 29.1% (VAS) at 12 months, while all other patients' average reduction was 69.5% (ODI, p = .03) and 70.6% (VAS, p = .01). This study provides evidence of safety and feasibility in the nonsurgical treatment of DDD with autologous BMC and indicates an effect of mesenchymal cell concentration on discogenic pain reduction.

Morbidity of graft harvesting versus bone marrow aspiration in cell regenerative therapy

PURPOSE

Using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with aspiration from the iliac crest is commonly used in reconstructive orthopaedic surgery. Because bone marrow aspiration is a percutaneous technique, the morbidity as compared with the classical bone graft should be decreased.

METHOD

Therefore in a retrospective review of 523 consecutive cases of bone marrow aspiration performed at the Henri Mondor Hospital from 1990 to 2006 for the treatment of fractures, minor and major complications were identified and compared to the number of complications observed during the same period with 435 classical iliac crest bone graft procedures performed for the same indications of treatment of fractures. Minor complications included superficial infections, superficial seromas, and minor haematomas. Major complications included herniation of abdominal contents through massive bone graft donor sites, vascular injuries, deep infections at the donor site, neurologic injuries, deep haematoma formation requiring surgical intervention or transfusion, and iliac wing fractures.

RESULT

Bone marrow aspiration decreased significantly the number of complications as compared with harvesting classical iliac crest bone graft that was associated with significant morbidity. Adverse events were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the 523 procedures with bone marrow aspiration as compared with the 435 bone iliac crest piece harvesting. This was true for anaemia (16 cases versus 87 cases), for early pain (six versus 152), persistent pain (two versus 21), neuralgia (three versus 11), minor complications (ten versus 56), and major complications (three cases versus 22 cases).

CONCLUSION

In our series the number of complications with bone marrow aspiration was ten times less than the complications observed with the classical technique of bone piece harvesting from the iliac crest, and the complications were clearly less severe.