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Millions of people worldwide suffer from osteoarthritis, a painful condition that breaks down cartilage in the joints. And a new potential treatment may be on the horizon.
Magellan Stem Cells, an Australian biotech company, has created a novel stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis. Their groundbreaking research has shown promising results in treating knee pain and the ability to arrest disease progression.
“Our research indicates that Magellan’s off-the-shelf donor stem cell treatment is safe and effective in improving joint function, reducing pain levels, and may have the potential to halt the progression of osteoarthritis,” said Julien Freitag, the lead researcher at the Australian biotechnology company.
58% pain decrease
The therapy involves a single injection of donor stem cells into the affected knee joint. These special cells have the remarkable ability to regenerate damaged tissue, including cartilage.
This therapy uses donor mesenchymal stem cells, avoiding the complex process of harvesting cells from the patient. These cells can transform into various cell types and are sourced from adipose tissue, or body fat, which prevents an immune response.
The researchers performed phase I/II clinical studies to evaluate this treatment’s safety and effectiveness, dubbed MAG200.
The new therapy showed promise in halting osteoarthritis, with 75% of patients experiencing substantial pain reduction and better joint function after 12 months.
As per the press release, the pain decreased by 58% and the quality of life doubled after a year of treatment.
“The trial also indicated that Magellan’s cell therapy may delay or prevent the progression of osteoarthritis, with observed improvement in cartilage volume in patients receiving stem cell treatment, while the placebo group showed either no change or their osteoarthritis progressed,” added Freitag.
Interestingly, long-term monitoring of patients found that the benefits of a single stem cell injection lasted more than four years.
No effective treatment available
Osteoarthritis is the fourth most common cause of disability globally. Current treatments often provide limited relief and can have serious side effects.
Existing treatments for osteoarthritis focus on pain relief, primarily through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy.
However, these methods do not prevent the disease from worsening. Prolonged use of NSAIDs can lead to serious side effects including stomach ulcers, kidney damage, and cardiovascular problems.
Unfortunately, no current treatments can slow osteoarthritis, leading to a rise in knee replacement surgeries, with over 65,000 performed annually in Australia.
“More than 30 per cent of total knee replacements in Australia are performed on patients under the age of 65. Magellan’s stem cell therapy – with observed pain and functional improvement and indication of disease modification – promises to delay or prevent the later need for joint replacement surgery,” Freitag said.
“I believe our research results represent a pivotal moment for the management of osteoarthritis and may change the way we practice medicine in the future,” he concluded in the press release.
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Stem cell therapies, like Magellan’s, offer hope for treating previously challenging conditions. Rigorous development is key to creating effective, affordable, and long-lasting treatments in the future.
The research findings are in the Journal of Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI).
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Mrigakshi Dixit Mrigakshi is a science journalist who enjoys writing about space exploration, biology, and technological innovations. Her work has been featured in well-known publications including Nature India, Supercluster, The Weather Channel and Astronomy magazine. If you have pitches in mind, please do not hesitate to email her.
