New Research Shows Stem Cell Therapy Improves Immune System and Overall Health In Older Individuals

The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (ISCI), today announced the results of new research using allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for the treatment of frailty in older individuals. The results were presented as a late-breaking trial at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting, New Lens on Aging, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Marking the first study of its kind, the results proved that hMSCs are safe and efficacious in combating the signs and symptoms of frailty in an aging population. Lead by Dr. Joshua Hare, founding director of ISCI, the study found allogeneic hMSCs have anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative effects, which safely promote multi-organ repair. The findings suggest that people 60 and older can improve their internal health and quality of life through hMSC therapy.

“As the population ages, it is vital that we find new therapies to allow for better quality of life and functional capacity,” says Dr. Hare. “The goal is to keep people in an overall healthier state to enjoy life during their later years, in essence producing increased health span for older Americans.”

Frailty is a syndrome of whole body deterioration that can lead to weight loss, exhaustion, weakness, slowness or decreased physical activity.  Importantly, frailty increases a person’s risk of poor health outcomes. Dr. Hare’s research also led to a better understanding of the dosage of hMSCs needed to produce the best outcomes and improvements. The study showed that participants improved their functional capacity, quality of life, pulmonary and immunologic function.

The study consisted of 30 patients, 60 years old or older and of average age 78. Of those 30, 10 patients received 100 million cells, 10 patients received 200 million cells and 10 patients received a placebo. The subjects were tracked for one year to ensure safety and efficacy, and given a battery of assessments to test important variables. Groups receiving either 100 million or 200 million cells showed favorable effects on immunomodulation. However, taking all variables into account, the patients who received 100 million hMSCs performed better in the assessments, and had a higher improvement overall, than those who received 200 million cells. Both groups performed better than those who received the placebo.

The study provides significant, and clinically-relevant insight on the effects of healthy stem cells on an older individual’s overall state of health. The assessments showed that both the cell type, and the dosage, impacted the outcomes. In addition, the findings showed that allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells are safe and well-tolerated, in older individuals with frailty, at both doses tested.

For additional information, visit http://isci.med.miami.edu/

 

About Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute

The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute (ISCI), founded in 2008 at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is on the cutting-edge of translating stem cell therapies. ISCI is national a leader in conducting clinical trials using stem cells, and has executed research in conjunction with universities and top scientists around the country. ISCI’s goal is to spearhead cell-based therapies for a host of untreatable diseases. Its focus includes research in basic cell biology, hematology, oncology, cardiology, dermatology, diabetes and endocrinology, neurology, orthopaedics, pediatrics, and ethics and science policy. ISCI’s physician-scientists are dedicated to rapidly applying knowledge of stem cell biology to advance therapies for hard-to-treat diseases in an ethical and rigorous manner. In addition to research, ISCI is a national cell manufacturing facility, providing cells for the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN).  ISCI is a newly named NHLBI PACT center and has supplied cells to allow numerous other researchers to conduct important work.


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