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- Talk
- 14/09/2021
- UK
Meta-analysis of Adipose Tissue Derived Cell-based Therapy for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Description
In this presentation, Christopher Mak from the University of Cambridge discusses his research project focused on the meta-analysis of adipose tissue-derived cell-based therapy for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). He begins by outlining the nature of osteoarthritis as a degenerative disorder that leads to joint pain and disability, highlighting current treatment options that often fall short for earlier stages of the disease (Kellgren Lawrence stages 1 and 2).
Christopher introduces the promising potential of cell-based therapies, particularly using cells derived from adipose tissue, which include adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs). The crux of his study centers on evaluating the safety and efficacy of these therapies, structured as a systematic review that collates data from clinical studies using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) to measure outcomes pre- and post-treatment.
The findings indicate a significant reduction in WOMAC scores, reflecting pain relief and function improvement, with the most notable benefits observed over longer durations—culminating in a 58% reduction by 12 months. Notably, Christopher emphasizes that the therapeutic effects are dependent on the duration of the treatment rather than the dosage of cells administered, and raises consideration for safety as most reported complications were minor.
Finally, Christopher concludes that adipose tissue-derived cell-based therapy shows promise as a safe and effective treatment modality for knee OA, advocating for further research to fine-tune treatment parameters and assess long-term outcomes. The presentation also includes a Q&A segment, during which Christopher clarifies aspects of the WOMAC scoring system, study designs, and risk of bias evaluations in the studies reviewed.