Clinical trials aim to repair bones using adult stem cells combined with biomaterials

The clinical trials aim to repair bones using adult stem cells combined with biomaterials. It will be conducted in France in the Cr-teil University Hospital Centre and the Regional University Hospital Centre in Tours, in collaboration with the French Blood Establishment.

The REBORNE project began three years ago and its originality lies in using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), found in bone marrow, to help heal fractures. Adult stem cells are amplified in culture, then are associated with biomaterial before being implanted on the fracture. Promising pre-clinical trials have now paved the way for the launch of these new clinical trials.

Following trauma (fall or road accident), there is a high incidence of delayed union or non-union in tibia, femur or humerus bones requiring a surgical apposition of an autologous bone graft (patient's own bone). However, the bone graft available is limited and complications are often observed at the second surgical site. The partners of the European project REBORNE propose an alternative treatment using autologous mesenchymal stem cells associated with a synthetic bone substitute. Thanks to a bone marrow aspiration under local anaesthesia, the mesenchymal stem cells are isolated and amplified in culture for 21 days. During the surgical intervention stem cells are associated with biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic granules and implanted at the site of the fracture. In this way, the biomaterial is used as "scaffolding" and encourages stem cell proliferation. The stem cells are then differentiated into bone cells and regenerate the bone tissue around the fracture. The French Medicinal Agency ANSM gave its green light on 3 January 2013 so that these Inserm-sponsored trials can now begin in France, with seven patients receiving treatment in the Cr-teil University Hospital Centre and the Regional University Hospital Centre in Tours. Ultimately, thirty patients will be included in France, Spain, Germany and Italy to be part of this multi-centre European study.

"The objective of this trial is to show that biomaterials and stem cells are safe and are at least equivalent to standard treatments, without their disadvantages. This surgery is less invasive and preserves the patients' bone stock. For these reasons, it is preferable to bone grafts in terms of triggering bone healing" explains Pierre Layrolle, director of Research, Inserm and coordinator of REBORNE.