Joan C. Vilanova MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Marina Huguet MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ana Sanchez, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Javier Garcia-Sancho, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lluis Orozco, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert Soler, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the feasibility of osteoarthritis treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in humans, and to demonstrate its efficacy on MRI and clinical outcome.  

Twelve patients with clinical and radiologic diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee (graded according to the ICRS (International Cartilage Repair Society) were treated with autologous MSCSs by intrarticular injection on a phase I-II trial. Clinical outcomes were followed for 1 year (including pain, disability, and quality of life). Cartilage assessment was performed using MRI T2-mapping at 88 pre-determined anatomical regions previous to treatment, at 6 months and 12 months after treatment; by determining the T2 relaxation values (RV) in each region of the knee. Inter, intraobserver and equipment errors were calculated for reproducibility, and for the statistical analysis to determine significant differences on T2 RV’s before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by Students t-test or by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the corresponding non-parametric tests

A positive correlation was identified between the baseline mean T2 RV’s and the pain score (r=0.42; p<0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between the amount of clinical improvement and the initial scores (r=0.86), indicating pain relieve effect (p<0.001). The mean T2 RV’s (ms) previous to treatment (mean±SD) (64.3±6.1) was significantly higher than at 6 months (58.4±8.3) (p<0.001) and 12 months (56.1±6.2) (p<0.001). The mean T2 RV’s decreased in 11 of the 12 patients. 92% (11/12) of the patients reported pain relief after 1-year observation period.

MSC therapy could be a valid alternative treatment for knee osteoarthritis and MRI T2-mapping might be a useful tool for its cartilage assessment follow up

Stem cells therapy could become a new  effective, feasible and safe treatment for chronic osteoarthritis, whether MRI technique might be the monitorizing tool for its assessment.

Vilanova, J, Huguet, M, Sanchez, A, Garcia-Sancho, J, Orozco, L, Soler, R, MRI T2-mapping with Clinical Correlation after Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis with Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Pilot Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13011175.html