The study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of intra-articular injections of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), combined with hyaluronic acid (HA), on pain and joint function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Intervention Used in the Study
This open-label clinical trial was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 2015 to 2018. A total of 29 patients (57 knees) were enrolled, with an average age of 58.3 years; 58.6% were male. Thirty-three knees were classified as mild OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade I–II), and the remainder as severe OA.
The treatment protocol involved three weekly intra-articular injections:
Week 1: 10 million hUC-MSCs in 2 mL of secretome solution combined with 2 mL of HA.
Weeks 2 and 3: 2 mL of HA only.
Outcomes were measured at baseline and after 6 months, focusing on pain relief (using VAS) and improvements in function (IKDC and WOMAC scores).
Results Presented by the Study
Significant clinical improvements were observed by the 6-month follow-up:
- Pain (VAS) decreased from 5 ± 2.97 to 3.38 ± 2.44 (p = 0.035).
- IKDC scores improved significantly:
From 53.26 to 65.49 in mild OA (p < 0.001);
From 48.84 to 61.83 in severe OA (p = 0.008).
- WOMAC scores also showed significant reductions:
From 22.55 to 13.23 in mild OA (p = 0.003);
From 27.57 to 17.92 in severe OA (p = 0.003).
Authors’ Interpretation
The authors suggest that hUC-MSCs combined with HA may offer a promising regenerative treatment for knee OA, with clinically meaningful improvements in both pain and function. Maximum therapeutic effect was noted at 6 months, highlighting the potential of stem cell-based interventions in musculoskeletal disorders.
Reference: Dilogo IH, Canintika AF, Hanitya AL, Pawitan JA, Liem IK, Pandelaki J. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treating osteoarthritis of the knee: a single-arm, open-label study. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2020; 30(5):799-807. doi:10.1007/s00590-020-02630-5