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Phase 1 clinical trial for intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord and placenta in patients with moderate COVID-19 virus pneumonia: results of stage 1 of the study

A. Sharma, Rohit N. Kulkarni, H. Sane, N. Awad, A. Bopardikar, Anagha R. Joshi, Sujata Baweja, Mohan A Joshi et al.

American Journal of Stem Cells, 2022

20 participants · 11 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

Mesenchymal stem cells can serve as a therapeutic option for COVID-19. Their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties can regulate the exaggerated inflammatory response and promote recovery of lung damage.

METHOD

Phase-1, single-centre open-label, prospective clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord and placenta in moderate COVID-19. The study was done in 2 stages with total 20 patients. Herein, the results of stage 1 including first 10 patients receiving 100 million cells on day 1 and 4 with a follow up of 6 months have been discussed.

RESULTS

No adverse events were recorded immediately after the administration of MSCs or on follow up. There was no deterioration observed in clinical, laboratory and radiological parameters. All symptoms of the study group resolved within 10 days. Levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as NLR, CRP, IL6, ferritin and D-dimer improved in all patients after intervention along with improved oxygenation demonstrated by improvement in the SpO2/FiO2 ratio and PaO2/FiO2 ratio. None of the patients progressed to severe stage. 9 out of 10 patients were discharged within 9 days of their admission. Improvements were noted in chest x-ray and chest CT scan scores at day 7 in most patients. No post-covid fibrosis was observed on chest CT 28 days after intervention and Chest X ray after 6 months of the intervention.

CONCLUSION…

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