Stem Cell Therapy Research: Knee Treatments

Stem cell therapy for Knees has been a growing area of research for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA), especially with the use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). These cells have the potential to repair damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and potentially even regenerate cartilage. Here’s some of the key studies from the last few years, both positive and negative.

If you’re thinking about getting Stem Cell Therapy, our article on picking the right clinic might be useful. Or set up a conversation with our team here. Our team can guide you in deciding if it’s the right fit, help you choose the best clinic & region, and even assist you in securing some great discounts!

1. Tokyo Medical and Dental University Study (2021)

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University conducted a five-year study on the effects of autologous MSC therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Autologous means doctors take the stem cells directly from the patient’s own body.

Study Details:

Participants: 10 patients with chronic knee pain.

Procedure: MSCs were transplanted into the knee joints.

Results: After five years, MRIs revealed a reduction in meniscus tears and no tumor formation, which had been a concern in stem cell therapies. Patients also reported improved knee function and less pain.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that MSCs from a patient’s own body are safe to use. They may offer a viable treatment for OA. Read this for more info.

2. Magellan Stem Cells Clinical Trial (2021)

Magellan Stem Cells, based in Australia, conducted a trial on the use of allogeneic MSCs (from donors) to treat moderate knee osteoarthritis.

Study Details:

Participants: 40 patients with moderate OA.

Procedure: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either MSCs or a placebo.

Results: 75% of those who received MSC therapy showed significant improvement in pain relief and knee function after 12 months. MRI scans also indicated increased cartilage volume.

Conclusion: This study suggests that allogeneic MSC therapy may help delay or even prevent the need for total knee replacement in patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis. Read here for more info.

Building on the success of earlier trials, Magellan Stem Cells is now gearing up for phase three clinical trials with the support of a $7 million research grant from the Australian Government. These large-scale trials will involve hundreds of Australians and aim to confirm the therapy’s ability to halt or slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis—a condition impacting one in five Australians over 45.

3. South Korean Study on Autologous MSCs for Knee OA (2019)

This clinical trial conducted in South Korea evaluated the efficacy of autologous adipose-derived MSCs (taken from fat tissue) in treating knee osteoarthritis.

Study Details:

Participants: 12 patients received MSCs, and a control group of 12 knees received saline injections.

Procedure: Doctors treated the patients with a single intra-articular injection of MSCs.

Results: The MSC group showed significant improvements in pain relief and joint function as measured by the WOMAC score (a common osteoarthritis assessment tool) after six months. MRI scans revealed no significant changes in the control group but showed improved cartilage health in the MSC group.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the potential of MSCs to treat knee osteoarthritis safely and effectively, though more long-term studies are needed. For more details, click here.

4. Follow-up Study on Autologous MSCs After High Tibial Osteotomy (2021)

A follow-up study was conducted to observe the long-term effects of autologous MSC injections after high tibial osteotomy (a surgical procedure for knee OA). This randomized controlled trial focused on the regeneration of cartilage two years post-treatment.

Study Details:

Participants: 26 patients were divided into two groups—one group received MSC injections, and the control group underwent the surgery alone.

Results: Patients who received the MSC therapy showed better cartilage regeneration and slightly better functional improvements than the control group, as observed in MRIs and two-stage arthroscopic evaluations.

Conclusion: This study suggested that adding MSC therapy to surgical treatments might improve long-term outcomes for knee OA patients. For the full study, click here.

5. Phase 3 Clinical Trial Comparing Stem Cell Therapy and Cortisone Injections (2023)

Objective: To find out how Stem Cell Therapy stacks up against cortisone injections for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methodology:
Participants: 480 people with moderate to severe knee OA.

Design: Randomized trial with four groups—some got stem cells from their own bone marrow (BMAC), some received stem cells from fat (SVF), others were treated with umbilical cord stem cells (UCT-MSCs), and the last group got cortisone injections.

Outcome Measures: The study tracked pain levels (using a pain scale) and how well people’s knees worked (measured by KOOS, a knee function score) over 12 months.

Results:
Pain and Knee Function: Stem cell therapies worked just as well as cortisone injections in reducing pain and improving how well knees moved.

Cartilage Repair: None of the groups showed major cartilage regrowth on MRI scans.

Safety: All treatments were safe—no major side effects, and only minor swelling reported by a few participants.

Conclusion:
This study shows that Stem Cell Therapy can reduce knee pain and improve mobility just as effectively as cortisone shots in the short term. While both treatments performed similarly in this trial, stem cells offer the potential for long-term benefits, like repairing damaged cartilage, which could show up in longer studies.

Reviews

A 2023 review took a deep dive into using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat osteoarthritis (OA), especially for regenerating knee cartilage. They looked at 35 clinical trials and backed up their findings with over 70 scientific studies, making this one of the most comprehensive reviews out there.

The good news? MSC injections seem pretty safe and can reduce OA symptoms like joint pain and stiffness. However, fully repairing damaged cartilage is still tricky. The review found that while MSCs can jump-start cartilage regeneration, the results aren’t always long-lasting, and success varies depending on the treatment method and the severity of the damage.

The authors also pointed out that better clinical trials are needed—ones with bigger groups, longer follow-ups, and consistent treatment protocols. They suggested that using MSCs with cutting-edge techniques like 3D bio printing, gene editing, and even stem-cell-derived exosomes could push knee OA treatments into a whole new era.

Negatives: What Do the Studies Not Tell Us?

While these studies highlight promising results, it’s essential to recognize some limitations and concerns surrounding stem cell therapy for knees:

Cost and Accessibility: Stem cell therapies, can be expensive and are not widely available in many regions. In some countries, regulations and approvals for these treatments remain stringent, limiting accessibility for patients.

Lack of Large-Scale Studies: Most of the trials conducted so far involve small sample sizes, typically under 50 participants. Larger, more diverse studies are needed to confirm these findings on a broader scale.

Uncertain Long-Term Effects: Although follow-up studies like the one from South Korea provide insights into short-term improvements, the long-term benefits and safety of stem cell therapy are still unclear.
Many studies lack data beyond five years, which is crucial for understanding whether MSC therapy can sustain knee function over time.

Mixed Results in Cartilage Regeneration: While some patients experience cartilage regeneration, not all studies show consistent results in this area. For instance, although some trials demonstrate improved cartilage health, others show little to no changes in cartilage thickness.

So, is it worth it?

Mesenchymal Stem Cell therapy for knees, particularly in treating osteoarthritis, holds great promise. Studies from Tokyo to South Korea demonstrate positive outcomes in reducing pain, improving joint function, and even regenerating cartilage. However, it’s important to keep in mind that most studies are small and long-term safety and effectiveness are being researched.

For now, MSC therapy appears to be most successful in treating joint conditions like knee osteoarthritis, but the research is still ongoing. But it’s exciting times!

To read more about the actual treatment process, our article goes into more depth here.