A 56-year-old Chilean woman with osteoarthritis of the knee and constant pain became the first patient in the world to receive a dose of intra-articular therapy based on small extracellular vesicles enriched with exosomes, showing a notable and lasting improvement. The results, described as promising, were published by the prestigious scientific journal Journal of Nanobiotechnology on January 13.
Extracellular vesicles are nanoparticles secreted by cells. They serve a variety of functions, ranging from intercellular communication to modulation of the immune response. Among the extracellular vesicles are exosomes, which also contribute to cell communication, but which stand out for their role in tissue repair in the human body.
Researchers from the IMPACT center, in collaboration with the EVast Bio startup, focused on the development of extracellular vesicles, are leading this study to delve into the therapeutic use of these vesicles in knee osteoarthritis, achieving the milestone of the first patient in the world to receive a therapy of this type for this disease.
José Matas, a traumatologist from the Clínica Universidad de los Andes who was in charge of administering the treatment to the patient, explained that the improvements presented after the treatment were related to a considerable decrease in pain and an increase in the mobility and function of the joint. “It is impossible to compare this therapy with the usual treatments for osteoarthrosis of the knee, since it was only one patient. However, advanced acellular therapies in the treatment of osteoarthrosis generate much expectation of improvement in the medical community.”
For Francisca Alcagaya, principal investigator of IMPACT, this research represents an important advance in the field of regenerative therapies.
“This is the first time that extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord stromal cells have been shown to be used as a safe treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. What is relevant is that they not only help to reduce inflammation, but also protect cartilage, opening the door to less invasive and more effective treatments for joint diseases. The results in this patient are very promising. She was able to significantly relieve pain, improve her mobility and prevent further deterioration of the joint, with effects that were sustained for one year. This suggests that the therapy could become a real alternative to options such as traditional infiltrations or even surgery, offering longer-lasting and less invasive benefits,” she said.
When asked about the future of advanced therapies in the treatment of osteoarthritis, the expert pointed out that, in her opinion, the future of these therapies is very promising. “Advances such as the use of extracellular vesicles bring us closer to treatments that not only alleviate symptoms, but also have the potential to regenerate damaged tissue and modify the course of diseases such as osteoarthritis. If we continue to move in this direction, we could transform the way these pathologies are managed.”
Watch the interview of Francica Alcayaga here: https://map.conectamedia.cl/index.php/clippingNews/view?id=45527311&email=487759&fromemail=1