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Fat-derived stem cells could aid percutaneous spine therapies

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SAN FRANCISCO — A cost-effective and readily available source of stem cells — human fat — may eventually enhance rates of human spine fusion, based on results of a study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting, here.

Researchers from several U.S. spine centers evaluated the efficacy of using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) transduced with BMP-2 in an athymic rat posterolateral fusion model. They found fusion results were better in these animals (group 1) vs. those in four other groups of animals treated with such other approaches as ADSCs alone, various doses of BMP-2 alone and ADSCs treated with osteogenic medial and exogenous BMP-2.

"ADSCs are promising as cellular delivery agents," particularly since we saw bone formation in unfavorable areas, said Wellington K. Hsu, MD, of Middleton, Wisc., who presented the results.

One interesting finding: Group 1 animals who had BMP delivered to the surgical site via stem cells even achieved fusions at proximal levels that investigators did not prepare during surgery.

Investigators objectively assessed new bone formation using micro-CT scans.

Hsu said potential clinical uses included long segments or multiple levels that need fusing. Cellular delivery vehicles such as this may avoid BMP complications and could assist with percutaneous therapies, he added.

For more information:

• Hsu WK, Wang JC, Feeley B, et al. Stem cells from human fat as cellular delivery vehicles in rodent posterolateral spine fusion model. #78. Presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting. March 5-9, 2008. San Francisco.