April 23, 2020

Physicians and researchers at Mayo Clinic are studying mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as reparative tools for patients with chronic lung conditions. Results of one of their initial studies, performed in lung transplant recipients who had developed chronic lung allograft dysfunction, showed that it was safe and feasible to provide cell therapy intravenously to this population. The study was published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine in 2018.

A state-of-the-art current good manufacturing practice automated bioreactor at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, ensures purity and homogeneity of the MSCs used in clinical trials and practice. Currently there are three respiratory-related clinical trials using MSCs produced at Mayo Clinic's good manufacturing practice facility.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Subjects With Advance Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — characterized by a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) value between 20% and 49% — who are already receiving maximal medical therapy are being enrolled in a pilot study. The study subjects receive MSCs from healthy young donors and are followed for one year. Jorge M. Mallea, M.D., Pulmonary Medicine at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida, is the principal investigator for this trial.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Subjects With Advance Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). ClinicalTrials.gov.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) & Connective Tissue Disorders (CTD)

Andy Abril, M.D., Rheumatology chair at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, is conducting a phase I study of patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease. Patients with newly diagnosed interstitial lung disease with connective tissue disease and patients with established interstitial lung disease who have received therapy for at least six months are being recruited for this trial. The patients are treated with allogenic bone marrow-derived MSCs and followeded for six months.

Allogeneic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) & Connective Tissue Disorders (CTD). ClinicalTrials.gov.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Rejection

This pilot study will evaluate the safety and feasibility of mesenchymal stem cells to induce remission in lung transplant recipients who are experiencing treatment-refractory moderate to severe lung rejection. In addition to assessing the safety and feasibility of the administration of MSCs, this trial is evaluating whether this therapy can induce remission of chronic rejection, as measured by changes in pulmonary function tests. David B. Erasmus, M.B., Ch.B., M.D., is the principal investigator for this study.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Lung Rejection. ClinicalTrials.gov.

"The clinical experience gained with these trials is facilitating the understanding of the mechanisms for repair in the respiratory system," says Dr. Mallea." This knowledge will allow us to develop new therapies that arise from this cell-centered approach. These new therapies have the potential to reverse the course of or even cure chronic lung diseases."

Efforts to establish the safety, feasibility and effectiveness of cell therapies and provide information and education to patients and families are supported by the Mayo Clinic Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics.

For more information

Keller CA, et al. Feasibility, safety, and tolerance of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for obstructive chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Stem Cells Translational Medicine. 2018;7:161.

Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics. Mayo Clinic.