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Safety and Effectiveness of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Pneumonia of Coronavirus Disease 2019

Early Phase 1
Conditions
COVID-19 Pneumonia
Interventions
Drug: hormones
Device: oxygen therapy
Procedure: mesenchymal stem cells
Registration Number
NCT04371601
Lead Sponsor
Fuzhou General Hospital
Brief Summary

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the end of 2019 has seen numerous patients experiencing severe acute lung injury (ALI), which developed into severe respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mortality was as high as 20% -40%. Due to the lack of effective antiviral treatments, supporting treatment is the predominant therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia. Its cure is essentially dependent on the patient's immunity. While the immune system eliminates the virus, numerous inflammatory cytokines are produced and a cytokine storm occurs in severe cases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in injury repair and immune regulation, showing advantageous prospects in the treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. MSCs prevent cytokine storms by retarding the TNF-α pathway, alleviate sepsis by modulating macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, DC cells, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. After infused, MSCs aggregate in the lungs, improve the lung microenvironment, protect alveolar epithelia, and improve pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary function.

Detailed Description

In vitro, Mesenchymal stem cells were revealed to inhibit the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by spleen lymphocytes and up-regulate regulatory T cells, thereby inhibiting the secretion of interferon-γ(IFN-γ) induced by lymphocytes and Tumor Necrosis Factor(TNF) induced by macrophage.

Animal models and preclinical studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were implanted into inflammatory lung tissues after infusion, which significantly improved the clinical manifestations and histopathological lesions caused by acute lung injury. Mesenchymal stem cells inhibited the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) through regulatory T cells (CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + Treg cells) and by antagonizing the expression interleukin-1 receptor (IL1-RA). Mesenchymal stem cells significantly down-regulated pro-inflammatory factors by inhibiting the expression of IL-1, TNF and IFN-γ in lung tissue, and up-regulated anti-inflammatory factor by enhancing the expression of IL -10 and regulatory T cells, respectively, thereby dampening the inflammatory response.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia
  • willing to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia
  • liver dysfunction
  • concomitant with other active infection
  • renal dysfunction
  • Heart failure >grade 2
  • pregnant
  • history of COPD

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Experimental groupoxygen therapyOn the basis of the above-mentioned conventional symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were given at 106/Kg body weight / time, once every 4 days for a total of 4 times. Peripheral intravenous infusion was given within 3 days of first admission
Experimental grouphormonesOn the basis of the above-mentioned conventional symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were given at 106/Kg body weight / time, once every 4 days for a total of 4 times. Peripheral intravenous infusion was given within 3 days of first admission
Experimental groupmesenchymal stem cellsOn the basis of the above-mentioned conventional symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were given at 106/Kg body weight / time, once every 4 days for a total of 4 times. Peripheral intravenous infusion was given within 3 days of first admission
Control grouphormonesconventional symptomatic treatments such as antiviral (oseltamivir), hormones, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and other supportive therapies
Control groupoxygen therapyconventional symptomatic treatments such as antiviral (oseltamivir), hormones, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and other supportive therapies
Control groupOseltamivirconventional symptomatic treatments such as antiviral (oseltamivir), hormones, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and other supportive therapies
Experimental groupOseltamivirOn the basis of the above-mentioned conventional symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were given at 106/Kg body weight / time, once every 4 days for a total of 4 times. Peripheral intravenous infusion was given within 3 days of first admission
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes of oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) ,blood gas test12 months

Improvement of pulmonary function

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Detection of TNF-α levels, IL-10 levels1,3,6,12months

Cytokines level

Detection of immune cells that secret cytokines, including CXCR3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK+ cells, and regulatory T cells (CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 + Treg cells).1,3,6,12months

Immunological status

Changes of oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) ,blood gas test1,3,6months

Improvement of pulmonary function

Changes of c-reactive protein and calcitonin1,3,6,12months

Infection biomarkers

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fuzhou General Hospital

🇨🇳

Fuzhou, Fujian, China

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