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11-01-2024 | Systemic Sclerosis | ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in patients with systemic sclerosis: a 5-year follow-up study

Authors: Mihribangvl Alip, Dandan Wang, Shengnan Zhao, Siqi Li, Dongdong Zhang, Xiaoxiao Duan, Shiying Wang, Bingzhu Hua, Hong Wang, Huayong Zhang, Xuebing Feng, Lingyun Sun

Published in: Clinical Rheumatology | Issue 3/2024

Abstract

Objective

To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation (UMSCT) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Forty-one patients with moderate to severe SSc underwent UMSCT at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from 2009 to 2017. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal and retrospective analysis and compared the clinical and laboratory manifestations before and after UMSCT. The main outcome of the study was overall survival. We evaluated changes in the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), as well as the changes in the pulmonary examination by using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and ultrasound cardiogram (UCG). Additionally, we assessed the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and the severity of peripheral vascular involvement during the first year after treatment.

Results

The overall 5-year survival rate was 92.7% (38 out of 41 patients). Following UMSCT, the mean mRSS significantly decreased from 18.68 (SD = 7.26, n = 41) at baseline to 13.95 (SD = 8.49, n = 41), 13.29 (SD = 7.67, n = 38), and 12.39 (SD = 8.49, n = 38) at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Improvement or stability in HRCT images was observed in 72.0% of interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remained stable in 5 out of 8 patients at the 5-year follow-up. No adverse events related to UMSCT were observed in any of the patients during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

UMSCT may provide a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with moderate to severe SSc based on long-term follow-up data. The randomized controlled study will further confirm the clinical efficacy of UMSCT in SSc.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00962923.

Key Point

• UMSCT is safe and effective for SSc patients.

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Title: Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in patients with systemic sclerosis: a 5-year follow-up study
Authors: Mihribangvl Alip
Dandan Wang
Shengnan Zhao
Siqi Li
Dongdong Zhang
Xiaoxiao Duan
Shiying Wang
Bingzhu Hua
Hong Wang
Huayong Zhang
Xuebing Feng
Lingyun Sun
Publication date: 11-01-2024
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Systemic Sclerosis
Published in: Clinical Rheumatology / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 0770-3198
Electronic ISSN: 1434-9949
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-024-06865-z

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