Hype, Promise, and Reality: Orthopedic Use of Biologics in 2019 (AANA19)-Cell Therapy for Treatment of Cartilage Injury and Osteoarthritis-Dr. Scott A. Rodeo, M.D.

Cell Therapy for Treatment of Cartilage Injury and Osteoarthritis-Dr. Scott A. Rodeo, M.D.

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This talk focuses on the current state and challenges of cell therapy for cartilage and arthritis. Despite great potential, cell therapies are not yet ready for widespread clinical use, with marketing outpacing the science. There is significant confusion and heterogeneity in definitions and cell sources, such as bone marrow and adipose tissue, with minimally manipulated cell preparations containing very few true stem cells. Laboratory-expanded, purified stem cells differ markedly from point-of-care products. Clinical studies show that cell therapies can improve symptoms, likely through anti-inflammatory and paracrine effects, but clear evidence of durable cartilage regeneration is lacking. The immune response in joints may influence outcomes, and cell therapy might help modulate this environment. Current guidelines remain inconclusive, and routine use in cartilage repair is limited. Future directions include combining cell therapy with other treatments and stimulating endogenous stem cell niches rather than relying solely on exogenous cells, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research and standardized terminology.

Asset Caption

Instructional Course Lecture: Hype, Promise, and Reality: Orthopedic Use of Biologics in 2019

Keywords

cell therapy

cartilage repair

arthritis treatment

stem cells

clinical studies