UC-MSCT improves symptoms, biochemical values in patients with severe refractory SLE: Study

A new study shows that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplant (UC-MSCT) may improve symptoms and biochemical values in patients with severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

In research published online (ahead of print) May 6, 2010 in Arthritis & Rheumatism, lead author and Director of Rheumatology and Immunology at Nanjing University Medical School's renowned Drum Tower Hospital Dr. Lingyun Sun and colleagues report on 16 patients with severe SLE that did not respond to standard treatments. All 16 patients received stem cell transplants. Ten patients completed at least 6 months of follow-up and 2 patients were followed for more than 2 years. There was no treatment-related mortality or other adverse event during or after UC-MSCT, according to the article.

In comments to Reuters on the report, Dr. Sun said, "The disease activity among patients was significantly improved during the first 3 months of follow-up." After nearly two years, "most patients show clinical remission with no adverse events detected to date or treatment-related mortality."

Dr. Sun added, "We have been working with multiple centers in China for our further studies with more patients being recruited and longer periods for follow-up, which will be compared to the standard treatment to determine the long-term efficacy and safety of this novel approach to treat refractory lupus."

The umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells used in the study were processed by Beike Biotech's scientists (http://www.beikebiotech.com ) at the company's new state-of-the-art Jiangsu Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine Facility in Taizhou, China. The facility was recently awarded ISO9001 certification for its stem cell processing.

One of the world's leading stem cell researchers, Dr. Sun has done extensive work in stem cell therapies yielding numerous papers on his clinical trial results in the academic journals Lupus, Stem Cells, and Arthritis & Rheumatism.

Beike Biotechnology Chairman Dr. Sean Hu commented, "This study marks an important research milestone in the field of stem cell interventions and an important follow-up to Dr. Sun's previous studies on lupus and stem cells. We are pleased to see the promise UC-MSCT holds for SLE patients as indicated by the data and look forward to the publication of follow-up studies."