AUTHOR=Soltero-Rivera Maria , Hart Sterling , Blandino Andrew , Vapniarsky Natalia , Arzi Boaz 

TITLE=Mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for feline chronic gingivostomatitis: Long term experience

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1171922

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2023.1171922

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) therapy has emerged as a potential treatment option for refractory FCGS. However, there is a lack of long-term data on the use of MSC therapy in cats. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of MSC therapy for FCGS and investigate potential factors associated with treatment outcomes.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>This study was a retrospective evaluation of 38 client-owned cats with refractory FCGS who received MSC therapy. Medical records, histopathology, and the Stomatitis Activity Disease Index (SDAI) were reviewed. Correlations of the long-term follow-up success rates with SDAI and cell line type used were conducted. A client survey was also performed to assess side effect occurrence, quality-of-life following treatment, and overall treatment satisfaction.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Long-term follow-up ranged from 2 to 9 years post-MSC treatment. The overall positive response rate to MSC treatment was 65.5%, with 58.6% of cats exhibiting permanent improvement or cure. Adverse effects occurring during or immediately after treatment were noted in 34.2% of cases, the majority being transient, self-resolving transfusion-like reactions. No long-term adverse events were noted. No significant correlation in outcome was detected between allogeneic and autologous MSC treatment (<italic>p</italic> = 0.871) or the severity of the SDAI at entry (<italic>p</italic> = 0.848) or exit (<italic>p</italic> = 0.166), or the delta SDAI between entry and exit (<italic>p</italic> = 0.178). The status 6 months (none to partial improvement vs. substantial improvement to resolution) post-therapy was a predictor of long-term response (value of <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.041). Most clients were satisfied with the treatment and outcomes, with 90.6% willing to pursue treatment again, given a similar situation.</p></sec><sec><title>Discussion</title><p>The results of this study support the use of both autologous and allogeneic MSC as an efficacious and safe therapeutic option for refractory FCGS.</p></sec>