Intra-Articular Administration of PBHSCs CD34+ as an Effective Modality of Treatment and Improving the Quality of Life in Patients with Coxarthrosis

TL;DR

Injecting CD34+ stem cells into the hip joint significantly improves quality of life and reduces pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis over two years.

Contribution

Demonstrates that CD34+ stem cell therapy combined with rehabilitation can delay hip replacement surgery and improve outcomes in hip osteoarthritis.

Findings

Patient-reported outcomes improved significantly over 24 months (p < 0.0001).

Range of movement improved significantly (p < 0.0001).

Improvements were most noticeable at 6 months and sustained over time.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: In 2020, 595 million world citizens had osteoarthritis, and the largest growth in OA morbidity refers to the hip joint. Effective OA therapies have been sought for years. Assessing the treatment effectiveness and QoL improvement in hip OA after intra-articular administration of fresh peripheral blood hematopoietic CD34+ stem cells. Methods: The study comprised 49 adults (median age: 63). The SCs were injected into hip joints and straight to the bone. Hip manipulation was conducted. Patients were subjected to a standardized rehabilitation protocol. Hip degeneration was graded by Kellgren–Lawrence. Multi-factor statistical analyses, with replications, were performed. The study was an R&D project, co-financed by the E.U. Results: Patient-reported outcomes (HOOS, SF-36) ameliorated remarkably over 24 months (p < 0.0001). Ranges of movement improved significantly (p < 0.0001). The most noticeable improvement manifested 6 months after the SC administration. Its furtherance was maintained. Conclusions: Intra-articular administration of CD34+ cells significantly reduces pain and improves hip joint function, regardless of the severity of OA, according to K-L, over a 24-month follow-up period. The combination of CD34+ cell therapy with joint mobilization and rehabilitation allows for the postponement of hip arthroplasty by significantly improving patients’ QoL over the 24-month follow-up period.

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