Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy for veterinary patients utilizes adult, or mesenchymal, stem cells. Currently, these cells are derived from an animal’s own fat or bone marrow (autogenous) and are capable of limited differentiation (as opposed to embryonic stem cells).
Allogeneic stem cell therapy, using a donor dog’s cells in an “off-the-shelf” product is currently being investigated. The currently available stem cell therapies are typically a combination of mesenchymal stem cells and other cells such as endothelial progenitor cells, M2 macrophages, and T-regulatory cells.
Some therapies will culture mesenchymal stem cells and deliver these cells alone. It is unknown whether the “soup” of cells is more or less effective than mesenchymal stem cells alone. One important concept is that to date, no type of stem cell therapy has been proven to be “regenerative,” so the phrase “regenerative medicine” is inappropriate and misleading to use.
Stem cell therapy is very likely the way of the future for the management of not only OA but many disease conditions. This is a very active area of research. There are several studies that have documented positive response to mesenchymal stromal cell therapy (ie, the “soup”) in dogs with OA. Stay tuned for updates as more evidence becomes available!
References
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Fahie MA, Ortolano GA, Guercio V, et al. A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of autologous platelet therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:1291-1297.
Wanstrath AW, Hettlich BF, Su L, et al. Evaluation of a single intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution for treatment of osteoarthritis in a canine population. Vet Surg 2016;45:764-774.
Arnhold S, Wenisch S. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for musculoskeletal repair in veterinary medicine. Am J Stem Cells 2015;4:1-12.
Frisbie DD, Kisiday JD, Kawcak CE, et al. Evaluation of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of osteoarthritis. J Orthop Res 2009.
Black LL, Gaynor J, Gahring D, et al. Effect of adipose-derived mesynchymal stem and regenerative cells on lameness in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joints: A randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, controlled trial. Vet Therapeutics 2007.
Black LL, Gaynor J, Adams C, et al. Effects of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem and regenerative cells on clinical signs of chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow joint in dogs. Vet Therapeutics 2008.
Harman R, Carlson K, Gaynor J, et al. A prospective, randomized masked, and placebo-controlled efficacy study of intraarticular allogeneic adipose stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Frontiers Vet Sci 2016.
Upchurch DA, Renberg WC, Roush JK, et al. Effects of administration of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction and platelet-rich plasma to dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints. Am J Vet Res 2016;77:940-951.
Kuroki K, Cook JL, Kreeger JM. Mechanisms of action and potential uses of hyaluronan in dogs with osteoarthritis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;221:944-950.
Canapp SO, Cross AR, Brown MP, et al. Examination of synovial fluid and serum following intravenous injections of hyaluronan for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2005;18:19-174.
Smith GN, Mickler EA, Myers SL, Brandt KD. Effect of intraarticular hyaluronan injections on synovial fluid hyaluronan in the early stage of canine post-traumatic osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol 2001;28:1341-1346.
Pashuck TD, Kuroki K, Cook CR, et al. Hyaluronic acid versus saline intra-articular injections for amelioration of chronic knee osteoarthritis: A canine model. J Orthop Res 2016; 34:1772-1779.
Carapebe GOL, Cavaleti P, Nicacio GM, et al. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid compared to traditional conservative treatment in dogs with osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Evidence-Based Comp Alt Med 2016.