Living with osteoarthritis
Today, osteoarthritis (OA) affects more than 595 million people globally, yet current treatments mainly focus on easing symptoms rather than repairing the joint. It develops slowly over time as cartilage in the joints breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Although symptoms can feel sudden, the underlying processes — inflammation, cartilage degeneration, and changes in surrounding tissues — have often been progressing quietly for years before daily movement is affected.
At Cellcolabs Clinical, we are studying whether mesenchymal stem cells may help support joint health by reducing inflammation, protecting cartilage, and creating conditions that allow tissue to repair.
What is osteoarthritis?
OA is a degenerative disease that primarily affects the cartilage covering the ends of bones in joints like the knee, hip, or hand. As cartilage thins, joints lose their smooth cushioning, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
It is a leading cause of disability and can significantly reduce quality of life — limiting independence, activity, and everyday ease of movement.
Mesenchymal stem cells as a potential pathway in preventive medicine
Most current treatments for OA focus on managing symptoms — such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory drugs, or joint replacement surgery in severe cases. Few options exist to address the underlying disease process.
Mesenchymal stem cells are being investigated for their potential to intervene earlier, not just to relieve symptoms but to influence the biology driving joint degeneration.
Research suggests mesenchymal stem cells may:
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Modulate immune responses, reduce harmful inflammation4
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Support cartilage cells and protect against further damage5-8
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Stimulate new tissue growth2-3
How could mesenchymal stem cells help prevent OA?
Both preclinical studies and clinical trials have reported findings on Mesenchymal stem cells for OA:
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Cartilage support: Some studies suggest mesenchymal stem cells may slow or even partially repair cartilage degeneration.5-8
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Reduced symptoms: Patients receiving intra-articular mesenchymal stem cell injections have reported less joint pain and stiffness, and improved mobility.5-7
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Safety profile: Across randomized clinical trials, mesenchymal stem cell treatment has generally been safe and well tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events.5
A 2023 review of 15 randomized controlled trials and 11 non-randomized studies, involving over 600 patients, reported positive effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on pain, function, and cartilage preservation.5
Are mesenchymal stem cells safe?
Safety has been a key area of study. A 2021 meta-analysis of 62 randomized clinical trials concluded that mesenchymal stem cell therapy was safe compared with placebo, with no treatment-related serious adverse events reported.9
Frequently asked questions
Are mesenchymal stem cells an approved treatment for osteoarthritis?
No. Mesenchymal stem cells are still in the research phase. Current studies are investigating their potential in easing symptoms and protecting joint health.
If I have mild OA, could mesenchymal stem cells still be relevant?
Yes. OA develops gradually, and research is studying whether mesenchymal stem cells may help at different stages of disease progression.
How are mesenchymal stem cells different from current treatments?
Existing options mainly target symptoms like pain and stiffness. Mesenchymal stem cells are being studied for their ability to influence the underlying biology of OA, particularly inflammation and cartilage degeneration.
1.Martel-Pelletier, Pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Volume 12, Supplement, 2004, Pages 31-33, ISSN 1063-4584, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2003.10.002
2. Caplan AI, Correa D. The MSC: an injury drugstore. Cell Stem Cell. 2011 Jul 8;9(1):11-5. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2011.06.008. PMID: 21726829; PMCID: PMC3144500.3. Murphy MB, Moncivais K, Caplan AI. Mesenchymal stem cells: environmentally responsive therapeutics for regenerative medicine. Exp Mol Med. 2013 Nov 15;45(11):e54. doi: 10.1038/emm.2013.94. PMID: 24232253; PMCID: PMC3849579.
4. Krampera M, Le Blanc K. Mesenchymal stromal cells: Putative microenvironmental modulators become cell therapy. Cell Stem Cell. 2021 Oct 7;28(10):1708-1725. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.09.006. PMID: 34624232.
5. Copp G, Robb KP, Viswanathan S. Culture-expanded mesenchymal stromal cell therapy: does it work in knee osteoarthritis? A pathway to clinical success. Cell Mol Immunol. 2023 Jun;20(6):626-650. doi: 10.1038/s41423-023-01020-1. Epub 2023 Apr 25. PMID: 37095295; PMCID: PMC10229578.
6. Kangari P, Talaei-Khozani T, Razeghian-Jahromi I, Razmkhah M. Mesenchymal stem cells: amazing remedies for bone and cartilage defects. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2020 Nov 23;11(1):492. doi: 10.1186/s13287-020-02001-1. PMID: 33225992; PMCID: PMC7681994.
7. Ha C-W, Park Y-B, Kim SH, Lee H-J. Intra-articular mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review of clinical outcomes and evidence of cartilage repair. Arthroscopy. 2019;35(1):277-288.e2.
8. Wang G, Xing D, Liu W, Zhu Y, Liu H, Yan L, Fan K, Liu P, Yu B, Li JJ, Wang B. Preclinical studies and clinical trials on mesenchymal stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review on models and cell doses. Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 May;25(5):532-562. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.14306. Epub 2022 Mar 4. PMID: 35244339
9. Wang Y, Yi H, Song Y. The safety of MSC therapy over the past 15 years: a meta-analysis. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2021;12(1):545. Published 2021 Oct 18. doi:10.1186/s13287-021-02609-x