Human Autologous MSCs for the Treatment of Mid to Late Stage Knee OA

The trial is a non-randomized, open-label, dose escalation phase I/II clinical trial. A total of 12 participants will be enrolled - patients will be treated in cohorts of 3 to determine the safety and preliminary efficacy of autologous, ex-vivo expanded bone-marrow derived MSC injected into the knee joint in patients with moderate to advanced knee osteoarthritis.

A minimum of three evaluable patients will be entered at each dose level until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is reached. Toxicity will be evaluated and graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria (CTC) for Adverse Events, as Grade 3-4. If a patient is discontinued due to a grade 3 or 4 adverse event (i.e. dose-limiting toxicity, DLT), an additional patient will be enrolled at the same dose level to ensure that a minimum of 3 patients are evaluated. If 0/3 patients experience dose-limiting (DLT) at a given dose level, then the dose will be escalated for next cohort of 3 patients. If 1/3 patients experience DLT at a given dose level, then an additional 3 patients will be treated at that dose level. If no other patient experiences a DLT, dose escalation will continue. If DLT occurs in 2/3 or 2/6 patients, dose escalation will stop and the prior dose level will be declared the MTD for the MSC cell infusions in this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients between 40-65 years of age with symptomatic moderate to severe (Kellgren-Lawrence III or IV) primary osteoarthritis of the knee
• Failed conservative management including physical therapy, bracing and/or oral anti-inflammatories for a minimum of six months
• No history of prior intra-articular cortisone, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma injection within the previous six months
• No history of prior arthroscopic knee surgery or open knee surgery on the ipsilateral side within the past year
• Adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal functions
• Body weight >40 kg
• Body Mass Index <30
• Negative for (HIV, HTLV1&2, Hep A, B, C, syphilis) infection as determined by approved serological testing
• Negative for pregnancy as determined by a serum pregnancy test. Females of childbearing potential will be required to practice abstinence or use an effective form of contraception for 12 months following their MSC injection.
• Fluid > 1 cm within the lateral recess of the suprapatellar pouch at the level of the superior pole of the patella with the knee extended.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with clinically unstable knee due to the presence of a complete anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and/or posterolateral corner tear
• Patients with varus or valgus malalignment >5 degrees as measured by 4 foot standing antero-posterior radiographs
• Patients with a history of a previous subtotal medial or lateral meniscectomy
• Patients with a history of septic arthritis in the affected joint
• Patients with a history of a prior intra-articular knee fracture
• Severe bleeding diathesis
• Contraindication to bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy
• Active infection
• Bone marrow failure
• Cytopenia
• Patients who have previously received radiotherapy to the pelvis
• Patients who have been on chemotherapy from within a year of the date of informed
• Patients with positive serological test for (HIV, HTLV1&2, Hep A, B, C, syphilis)
• Pregnancy or risk of pregnancy (this includes participants that are not willing to practice active contraception for the duration of the study)
• Patients with unforeseen conditions that are deemed unsafe or inappropriate for the study (e.g. patients who are claustrophobic and cannot undergo an MRI) as per the discretion of the principal investigator