Cell and growth factor based strategies bear great potential to support the healing processes in cartilage repair and the therapy of osteoarthritic joints.
The following review provides an overview of novel experimental strategies for the therapy of focal cartilage defects and osteoarthritis, with emphasis on cell and growth factor based approaches.
The authors summarize their own data regarding the intraarticular injection of stem cells to treat osteoarthritis of the knee and provide a synopsis of the available literature discussing the most significant publications.
The development of novel strategies for the treatment of focal and arthrotic cartilage lesions focuses on the application of growth factors, platelet rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow (BMSAC) or adipose derived (stromal vascular fraction - SVF) cell concentrates, and ex vivo expanded mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). First clinical data on the use of expanded MSCs show the potential of this innovative therapeutic strategy. These approaches, however, are governed by EU law and often require approval by regulatory bodies.
Currently, only a limited number of published, randomized, controlled trials available. Therefore, it is not possible to finally assess the efficacy of these strategies at this point in time.