Researchers Demonstrate Long-Term Safety of Stem Cell Transplantation in Lupus Patients

by admin | Nov 7, 2017 | Studies, Lupus

A recent study published in Clinical and Experimental Medicine provides new evidence that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation may be a safe treatment option for patients who suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus and who do not respond to conventional treatments like immunosuppressive drugs and steroids. Previous studies that have examined the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for lupus patients have suggested that the procedure is safe. In those studies, few if any adverse side effects have been observed.

Given the promise of mesenchymal stem cells for treating systemic lupus erythematosus, the scientists conducting the current study wanted to more comprehensively evaluate the technique’s safety. They studied 9 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who were not responding to immunosuppressive drugs or steroids. The patients underwent umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and were evaluated immediately following the procedure and again 6 years earlier.

To evaluate safety, the researchers performed tests of the blood, urine, and liver. They also checked the heart with electrocardiograms, did chest radiography, looked at white blood cell and platelet counts, and checked for markers of cancer. None of the tests the researchers performed demonstrated adverse side effects of the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation either immediately after or 6 years after the procedure. One patient experienced a warm sensation with dizziness following the transplantation, but no patients experienced headaches, nausea, or vomiting.

These results help to bolster the idea that mesenchymal stem cells may provide a safe therapeutic option for systemic lupus erythematosus patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. Studies that evaluate both longer-term safety of the procedure as well as its efficacy in improving the symptoms and progression of lupus will help scientists and clinicians better understand how stem cell regiments can be used to help lupus patients.

To learn more about stem cell therapy for lupus patients, click here.

Stem Cells Shown to Be Beneficial in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

by admin | Nov 4, 2017 | Studies, Lupus

A recent study that was undergone to determine how effective – and how safe – a stem cell transplant for lupus patients found that the approach was both effective and safe. The results were published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

The researchers specifically targeted patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who did not respond to conventional treatments for lupus. Certain types of stem cells have been used to treat these types of patients before. In this study, researchers used mesenchymal stem cells because these cells have advantageous properties that make them likely to be effective in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as properties that make them likely to be safer than hematopoietic stem cells.

There were 15 patients who underwent mesenchymal stem cell transplantation as part of this study. The researchers followed up with the majority of these patients for over a year following the procedure. When assessing the patients, the researchers tested them on the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and for proteinuria, as these tests can be used to evaluate lupus status and kidney function. The researchers found that every patient who had received the stem cell transplantation showed clinical improvement in their lupus.

Once a year had passed since the stem cell transplantation, all but 2 patients continued to experience an improvement in their lupus, while the other 2 patients had a relapse in their proteinuria. The researchers looked at other signs of kidney and non-kidney function and found evidence of improvement from those tests as well. The researchers did not observe any serious adverse side effects from the stem cell transplantation.

These results demonstrate the promise of mesenchymal stem cell transplant for lupus patients who do not respond to conventional treatments. Given that the stem cells appear to be safe for this application and also to improve lupus, further research will likely help clarify the best way that these stem cells may be used to help patients who suffer from lupus.

To learn more about stem cell transplant for lupus patients, click here.