Infusion of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviates symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The current study evaluated 5 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients received intravenous transfusions of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (uMSCs). All therapeutic and adverse responses were assessed and recorded during uMSC therapy. No severe adverse reactions were observed in any of the patients, although a slight transient fever was observed in 3 patients within 2-6 h of intravenous administration of uMSCs. Following treatment, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Indices decreased, however the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index increased. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 3 patients was reduced and C-reactive protein levels in 1 patient were markedly reduced. The symptoms of AS were alleviated in all patients. The present study indicates that intravenous transfusion of uMSCs is safe and well tolerated by patients and that it effectively alleviates disease activity and clinical symptoms. In the future, a larger cohort of patients with AS should be recruited to enable the systemic evaluation of uMSC therapy.