Future Science OA (Jun 2022)

Low-dose mesenchymal stem cell therapy for discogenic pain: safety and efficacy results from a 1-year feasibility study

  • Dan Bates,
  • David Vivian,
  • Julien Freitag,
  • James Wickham,
  • Bruce Mitchell,
  • Paul Verrills,
  • Kiran Shah,
  • Richard Boyd,
  • Dean Federman,
  • Adele Barnard,
  • Lera O'Connor,
  • Jacqui F Young

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2021-0155
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 5

Abstract

Read online

Aim: To evaluate safety and efficacy of low dose autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) for treatment of disc degeneration resulting in low back pain (LBP). Methods: Nine participants with chronic LBP originating from single-level lumbar disc disease underwent intradiscal injection of 10 million ADMSCs with optional repetition after 6 months. Results: No unexpected or serious adverse events were recorded. Seven (78%) of participants reported reductions in pain 12 months after treatment. Five (56%) reported increased work capacity. Three (33%) reduced analgesic medication. Improvements in EQ-5D and Oswestry disability index results were observed. MRI demonstrated no further disc degeneration and improvements to annular fissures and disc protrusions. Conclusion: This study provides initial evidence of safety and efficacy of ADMSCs for discogenic LBP.

Keywords