BM-MSCs may be an option for AA patients refractory to IST

 Safety

Adverse events included grade 1 (n=5) and grade 2 (n=2) fever. Two of these patients also had grade 1 headache.

The investigators observed no other adverse events.

Response predictors

The investigators determined that 2 factors predicted response in patients: prior treatment with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and absence of infection throughout the treatment.

The odds ratio for patients treated with ATG was 1.41 (95% CI: -0.50, 3.31) and for patients without infection, 2.19 (95% CI: 0.50, 3.87).

“Our study strongly indicates that MSC infusion is a promising therapy for severe AA," Dr Pang said, “but improved MSC cultures in vitro and the MSC doses need further study to maximize their therapeutic potential."