Stem cell therapy (SCT) for chronic musculoskeletal conditions has advanced considerably in recent years. Greenside has pioneered new treatment protocols and has published evidence of the efficacy of these treatments provided and the profound outcomes achieved (1).
Greenside uses autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the patient and these are culture expanded and administered back into the areas of disease. SCT, using these quality-controlled cells, is suitable for treatment of all musculoskeletal conditions and there are no contraindications for their use. As these stem cells are the patient's own tissues (autologous) they are not classed as medicinal products and no licencing is required for their use.
Autologous stem cell therapy carries no risk of rejection or immune reaction as these are the patient's own cells without foreign genetic material or proteins. Culturing MSCs allows for specific doses of stem cells to be created for bespoke treatments irrespective of the condition being treated or the size of the dog.
In order to get the best outcomes using regenerative medicine a holistic and targeted approach is required. Many conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA), have secondary effects on other tissues including muscles, tendons and the spine. Successful treatment involves conclusive diagnosis and targeted therapies in order to achieve the best outcomes and impacts on the patient’s quality of life.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound
This is an essential tool used at Greenside to investigate musculoskeletal disorders, pain, and lameness. It is also used to accurately administer treatments into areas of pathology.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
Autologous MSCs can be safely combined with platelet rich plasma, hyaluronic acid, and Laser therapy treatments to give the best outcomes (1). It is safe and efficacious in any age of dog with any stage of osteoarthritis from preclinical changes to end stage disease.
A single fat sample can yield a lifetime supply of stem cells from a small minimally invasive surgical procedure carried out at the same time as diagnostic tests to gain a complete clinical picture of the causes of pain and lameness.
Autologous Adipose-derived stem cells have been clinically proven to reduce pain, improve mobility and have significant positive effects on the patient’s quality of life (1).
Not all stem cells and stem cell products are the same.
At Greenside we only use canine autologous cells that have been produced by a VMD accredited stem cell laboratory (2) based in the U.K and the cells conform to current guidelines for production and use. (1,3 and 4)
The success rate of our treatments is reported as greater than 95% (5) and the positive effects can be maintained for up to two years (1). The age of the patient does not affect the ability to culture their cells or affect the treatments efficacy (6)
References:
- Armitage, A.J., Miller, J.M., Sparks, T.H., Georgiou, A.E. and Reid, J., 2023. Efficacy of autologous mesenchymal stromal cell treatment for chronic degenerative musculoskeletal conditions in dogs: A retrospective study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, p.2093.
- Cell therapy science ltd. celltherapysciences.co.uk
- Ivanovska A, Wang M, Arshaghi TE, Shaw G, Alves J, Byrne A, et al. Manufacturing mesenchymal stromal cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis in canine patients: challenges and recommendations. Front Vet Sci. (2022) 2022:587. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.897150
- Guest DJ, Dudhia J, Smith RK, Roberts SJ, Conzemius M, Innes JF, et al. Position statement: minimal criteria for reporting veterinary and animal medicine research for mesenchymal stromal/stem cells in orthopaedic applications. Front Vet Sci. (2022) 7:199. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.817041
- Armitage A, Miller J, Frost L, Standen C. Clinical Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injections of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis (OA): a Case Series of 19 Dogs evaluated using both LOAD and CBPI Owner Questionnaires. In: BSAVA Congress Proceedings. Gloucester, BSAVA 2018: 474.
- Miller J, Standen C, Frost L. Effect of a Dog's Age on Stem Cell Culture Times and Efficacy Outcomes in Dogs with Osteoarthritis Treated with Intra-articular Injections of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells. In: BSAVA Congress Proceedings. Gloucester, BSAVA 2018: 485.
