Researchers at Osaka University in Japan used synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells to develop a synthetic tissue to treat damaged cartilage, which previously had no effective therapies and was incurable. The first patient surgery was performed in the Phase III clinical study at Osaka University Hospital.
Here are five things you should know:
1. This is the first clinical trial in Japan using allogeneic stem cells and the first commercial use of the stem cell bank at the Medical Center for Translational Research of Osaka University.
2. There have not been effective methods of treating damaged cartilage because articular cartilage does not have a blood supply and therefore has a very limited capacity to heal itself.
3. Using only mesenchymal stem cells as the starting material, researchers developed three-dimensional synthetic tissue with tissue adhesive properties and excellent differentiation ability.
4. This is the first regenerative tissue repair clinical trial in which mega-pharmaceutical companies have participated: Tokyo-based companies Chugai Pharmaceutical Co and Twocells Company are involved with the trial.
5. Only one operation is required. Transplantation can be achieved using minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy.
6. This could help patients in the early stages of degenerative joint disease and might prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.
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