Gut Liver.  2018 Jan;12(1):73-78. 10.5009/gnl17035.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment for Crohn's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

• Zhang J
• Lv S
• Liu X
• Song B
• Shi L

• KMID: 2404720
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl17035

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Stem cell therapy has been applied to treat a variety of autoimmune diseases, including Crohn's disease (CD), but few studies have examined the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). This trial sought to investigate the efficacy and safety of UC-MSCs for the treatment of CD.
METHODS
Eighty-two patients who had been diagnosed with CD and had received steroid maintenance therapy for more than 6 months were included in this study. Forty-one patients were randomly selected to receive a total of four peripheral intravenous infusions of 1×106 UC-MSCs/kg, with one infusion per week. Patients were followed up for 12 months. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), Harvey-Bradshaw index (HBI), and corticosteroid dosage were assessed.
RESULTS
Twelve months after treatment, the CDAI, HBI, and corticosteroid dosage had decreased by 62.5±23.2, 3.4±1.2, and 4.2±0.84 mg/day, respectively, in the UC-MSC group and by 23.6±12.4, 1.2±0.58, and 1.2±0.35 mg/day, respectively, in the control group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05 for UC-MSC vs control, respectively). Four patients developed a fever after cell infusion. No serious adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSIONS
UC-MSCs were effective in the treatment of CD and produced mild side effects.

Keyword

Umbilical cord; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Crohn disease; Cellular therapy; Autoimmune

MeSH Terms

Autoimmune Diseases
Crohn Disease*
Fever
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells*
Stem Cells
Umbilical Cord*