Researchers at Jagiellonian University in Poland have developed a new treatment method for osteoarthritis (OA) that has recently completed the second stage of clinical trials.
The therapy uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) implanted into diseased joints to reduce OA-related pain and stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues. According to study results, patients experienced significant improvements in quality of life.
The treatment, named MesoCellA-Ortho, is the result of over ten years of work led by Prof. Ewa Zuba-Surma from the Department of Cell Biology at Jagiellonian University, in collaboration with Galen-Ortopedia. The process involves:
- Isolating MSCs from the patient’s own fat tissue
- Cultivating and multiplying (expanding) these cells under controlled laboratory conditions
- Preparing the patient for treatment and administering the MSC formulation directly to the affected joint
The completed clinical trials included nearly 200 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Results from these studies indicated:
- Reduction in pain levels
- Improved quality of life, assessed with the SF-36 form adapted for clinical research
- Increased joint mobility
Before human trials, the therapy was tested on a large animal model (pigs) with OA-like damage. Human MSC preparations were reportedly administered without transplant rejection, and after six months, the treated joints showed restored function and previously damaged areas were no longer visible.
A third phase of clinical trials is required before the therapy can be submitted for regulatory approval and commercial use.
Jagiellonian University is seeking a MedTech partner to support this next step. The treatment is already patented and eventual market introduction will require approvals from agencies including the European Medicines Agency.
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