A multicenter study examining the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for treating perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease has provided insights into the therapy’s effectiveness and safety. The study, which included 223 patients, looked at perianal clinical remission rates, clinical response, and patient-reported improvements over 52 weeks.
The results indicated a 78.2% clinical remission rate at 26 weeks, which decreased slightly at 52 weeks. Clinical response rates showed that 84.8% of patients had at least one fistula closed by 26 weeks. Additionally, 77.8% of patients reported improvement in subjective symptoms with continued improvement at 52 weeks.
In terms of safety, a few patients experienced adverse events, with the most common being perianal abscesses and proctalgia. These findings suggest that while the treatment offers a solid response in closing fistulas and improving symptoms, it is not without its risks.
These findings highlight the importance of selecting the right patients and preparing fistulas appropriately to achieve the best results.
This study highlights the potential of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in managing perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. It shows that with careful patient selection and treatment, significant improvements can be made in managing this challenging aspect of the disease.
