Intra-articular gold induced cytokine (GOLDIC®) injection therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of knee joint: a clinical study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel technique of preconditioning autologous blood with gold particles (GOLDIC®) and injection in patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODS

During this phase 2a, proof-of-concept (PoC) open label study, 83 consecutive patients that 64 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age: 64.8 years; 89 knees) with radiographically proven KOA, received four ultrasound guided intra-articular knee injections of GOLDIC® at three to six day intervals. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were evaluated at baseline, four weeks, three, six months, one, two and four years (T1-T6). The incidence of treatment related severe adverse events (SAEs) recorded. Intra-articular gelsolin level in patients with effusion was determined.

RESULTS

KOOS and WOMAC scores improved for the full duration of the study (P < 0.05), minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was observed at all time points in all KOOS subscores, with no reported SAEs. Intra-articular gelsolin level increased after treatment with reduction of effusion. No statistically significant evidence of an association between patient demographics and outcome were identified. Nine patients failed treatment, with 32 months mean time to failure and underwent total knee arthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

PoC study of GOLDIC® as a novel device for conservative management of moderate to severe KOA was confirmed. GOLDIC® produces rapid and sustained improvements in all indices after treatment, with no SAEs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

§ 13 Abs.2b AMG Bavaria (Protokol Reg OBB 5-16) (Ref 53.2-2677.Ph_3-67-2)-Date 3/20/2010 retrospectively registered.

Gold-Induced Cytokine (GOLDIC®) Injection Therapy in Patient with Plantar Fasciosis: A Case Report

A novel technique of cultivating autologous blood with gold particles; then separating the gold particles and cells from the serum and injecting the conditioned serum into affected plantar fascia. A first-time report of the safety and efficacy in treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciosis in an Olympic equestrian. A single patient with clinical signs, symptoms and ultrasound evidence of plantar fasciosis was treated with four intra-ligamentous GOLDIC^® injection therapy. The Olympic jumper was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), and Global Rating of Change (GRoC) score(s) before injection and at 6-month follow-up. VAS, FADI, and GRoC scores showed substantial and marked improvement clinically. The subject was able to return to sport without limitations after 8 weeks. The initial result demonstrates that the treatment regimen is safe, and efficacious. The subject demonstrated reduction of pain, and improved function that allowed return to high level competition.

Diaphragm-sparing effect of the infraclavicular subomohyoid block vs low volume interscalene block. A randomized blinded study

BACKGROUND

Both low volume interscalene and infraclavicular-subomohyoid blocks were suggested to provide shoulder analgesia with low risk of phrenic nerve block. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of the phrenic nerve block between these two techniques.

METHOD

Seventy-two patients scheduled for shoulder arthroscopy were included in this randomized controlled blind study. Before induction of general anesthesia, patients received low volume interscalene block using 5 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% (LVS group) or infraclavicular-subomohyoid block using 25 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% (ISO group). The diaphragmatic excursion was measured (using ultrasound) before the block and after surgery. If the ratio of postoperative to pre-block excursions was <25%, a phrenic nerve block was concluded. Secondary outcomes were: the duration of analgesia, the 24-hour morphine requirement, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

The phrenic nerve was blocked in 88.9% of patients in LVS group vs 5.6% in ISO group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to the duration of analgesia, the morphine consumption, and the patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Compared with the low volume interscalene block, the infraclavicular subomohyoid block resulted in a significantly less frequent phrenic nerve block and with no difference in postoperative analgesia. Therefore, it may be relevant to consider for patients who cannot tolerate a phrenic nerve block.