Prochymal®, mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Prochymal® is ex vivo cultured adult human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). To date, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) has no known cure; thus, current therapeutic interventions aim to provide symptomatic relief. The objective of this study was to establish the safety and efficacy of multiple administrations of Prochymal® in subjects with moderate to severe COPD. All study patients completed the full infusion protocol, and 74% completed the 2-year follow-up. There were no infusional toxicities and no deaths or serious adverse events deemed related to MSC administration. There were no significant differences in the overall number of adverse events, frequency of COPD exacerbations, or worsening of disease in patients treated with MSCs. There were no significant differences in pulmonary function testings or quality-of-life indicators; however, an early, significant decrease in levels of circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) was observed in patients treated with MSCs who had elevated CRP levels at study entry.