Partow Kebriaei, Luis Isola, Erkut Bahceci, Kent Holland, Scott Rowley, Joseph McGuirk, Marcel Devetten, Jan Jansen, Roger Herzig, Michael Schuster, Rod Monroy, Joseph Uberti. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation 2009. Vol.15. Issue 7. 804 -811.

ABSTRACT
The unique immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) make them a rationale agent to investigate for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Human MSCs were used to treat acute GVHD (aGVHD). Patients with grades II-IV GVHD were randomized to receive 2 treatments of human MSCs (Prochymal®) at a dose of either 2 or 8 million MSCs/kg in combination with corticosteroids. Patients received GVHD prophylaxis with tacrolimus, cyclosporine, (CsA) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Study endpoints included safety of Prochymal administration, induction of response to Prochymal, and overall response of aGVHD by day 28, and long-term safety. Thirty-two patients were enrolled, with 31 evaluable: 21 males, 10 females; median age 52 years (range: 34-67). Twenty-one patients had grade II, 8 had grade III, and 3 had grade IV aGVHD. Ninety-four percent of patients had an initial response to Prochymal (77% complete response [CR] and 16% partial response [PR]). No infusional toxicities or ectopic tissue formations were reported. There was no difference with respect to safety or efficacy between the low and high Prochymal dose. In conclusion, Prochymal can be infused safely into patients with aGVHD and induces response in a high proportion of GVHD patients.
 

Stem cell treatment gives hope to Crohn's disease sufferers

Professor Chris Hawkey, a gastroenterologist at Nottingham University, is leading the Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Crohn's Disease (Astic) trial. So far, 15 patients from six European countries, including three Britons, have taken part, though others are being recruited.
The pioneering therapy involves "rebooting" the patient's immune system, by first destroying the cells that have attacked it to cause the Crohn's, and then replacing them.
"I'm hopeful that half or more of the patients who undergo stem cell transplantation may either be cured or have a long-term remission," said Hawkey.


Fonte: ASBMT eNews