Allogeneic Bone Marrow MSC Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee (Knee Osteoarthritis, Knee OA) is a joint disease that primarily affects cartilage. Cartilage is the smooth tissue covering the ends of bones within the joint. In people who suffer from knee OA, articular cartilage top is broken down and worn away, resulting in the underlying bones to rub against each other. This friction can cause pain, joint swelling and decreased range of motion (ROM). Eventually, the joint may become deformed and bone spurs may form around the edges. With the advances in biotechnology, cell therapy in the application of cartilage reconstruction has gradually matured. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of single intra-articular (IA) injection of allogeneic bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for knee OA. The same cell products used in this trial have been applied in a phase I/IIa clinical trial in Taiwan for the treatment of critical limb ischemia, and so far no treatment-related adverse effect has been observed. In the current trial, allogeneic bone marrow MSCs of up to 4 donors will be isolated. BM MSCs are expanded and applied for a phase I/IIa study in treating 15-24 recipient patients with knee OA. The treatment protocol consists of two stages: the first stage is a traditional 3+3 open dose-escalated study design with three cohorts of dosing groups: (1) 1 x 10^7 cells, (2) 5 x 10^7 cells and (3) 10 x 10^7 cells. At the second stage, knee OA patients will be treated by the cell products of the maximum tolerance dose (MTD) as determined by the results of the first stage. All the study subjects will be followed up to 6 months (24 weeks) after the treatment for safety and preliminary efficacy evaluation, which the latter will include both clinical and imaging study assessments.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female at least 40 years old, completing the informed consent process for participating the clinical trial
• Patients diagnosed with unilateral/bilateral knee osteoarthritis of grade II, III and IV (Kellgren and Lawrence scale) as assessed by doctors, who are not suitable for, or not willing to undergo knee surgery (including total knee replacement)
• Pain of the knee as assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) to be 4 or higher (VAS ≥ 4)
• Body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 35 kg/m2
• Neither local/systemic bacteremia nor acute infection around the knee joint

Exclusion criteria

• Physiologically or psychologically inappropriate for participating the trial as evaluated by the investigators
• Patients with congenital or acquired bone hypoplasia (Varus more than 10o or Valgus more than 20o)
• BMI less than 20 or more than 35 (Class II obesity)
• Female who is pregnant or breastfeeding, or in childbearing age; male or female subjects who are not able to use appropriate contraception methods during the trial
• Patients with muscular or neurological diseases causing deformity of the targeted knee joint(s), which might interfere with the evaluation of trial.
• Patients with malignant tumors, or benign tumors that may interfere with the trial treatment or subsequent evaluation.
• Immunocompromised or patients suffering from immune diseases under long-term immuno-suppressive medication such as steroids, however, topical steroid is not included
• Patients with coagulation or hematological disorders not suitable for intra-articular (IA) injection
• Known or possible allergy to components in the product under trial
• Patients had any IA injection or surgery of the targeted knee within the last 3 months
• Patients with crippled lower limbs rated ACR functional class IV (Largely or Wholly Incapacitated) or cannot walk without one/two arms-operated walking assisting device (defined by CNS15390)
• Spontaneous knee osteonecrosis
• Previous surgery of the knee that may cause metal imaging artifacts on imaging study
• Patients have claustrophobia and/or cannot take magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test
• Any metal devices placed in the body such as pacemaker, artificial heart valve, or hemostatic clamps/clips for intracranial aneurysm posing risk under magnetic field (of MRI)
• Patients with severe unilateral (or bilateral) knee osteoarthritis who have decided to receive surgery (including total knee replacement) on the affected knee (or both knees if bilateral) after advised by their surgeon.
• Having participated other clinical trials with medications (including cellular therapy) within the past 3 months prior to subject screening