Impact of allogeneic feline uterine-derived mesenchymal stromal cell intravenous treatment on renal function of nephrectomized cats with chronic kidney disease
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition and leading cause of mortality in cats. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) may have a therapeutic effect on CKD. The aim of this pilot study was to determine efficacy of systemically-administered allogeneic uterine tissue-derived MSCs (UMSCs) in cats with CKD. Eighteen renal-compromised, unilaterally nephrectomized cats received two doses of 3 × 107 allogeneic UMSCs given intravenously (IV) with a 2-week dose interval. The primary endpoint was renal function, with treatment success defined by a 20% increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR; iohexol clearance) and/or a 20% decrease in plasma creatinine in 50% of the cats. Secondary endpoints included diet and water consumption, body weight, urine characteristics, and adverse events. Treatment was well tolerated and associated with a statistically meaningful increase in GFR on Days 13, 28, 57, 99, 121 and 182, compared with baseline (P < 0.0001 for Days 13 to 99 inclusive; P = 0.0029 and P = 0.0225 for Days 121 and 182, respectively). Greater than 50% of the cats demonstrated a 20% increase in GFR on all days except Day 150, at which point GFR measurements were consistently above baseline. Statistically meaningful increases in diet and water consumption were observed. Substantial improvements in GFR were observed throughout the six-month evaluation period (excluding Day 150) in more than 50% of cats, thereby meeting the primary endpoint. Therefore, this IV-administered, allogeneic cellular therapy may support both renal function and clinical status of cats with CKD.
Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Efficacy; Feline; Mesenchymal stromal cells; Safety; Uterine-derived regenerative cells.
Chief Executive Officer at Gallant
Dr. Linda Black, DVM, PhD, is Chief Executive Officer of Gallant and a founding member of the company, previously serving as President and Chief Scientific Officer. She brings extensive leadership experience across biotechnology, spanning corporate development, research and development, operations, and commercialization, with deep expertise in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies for pets.
Prior to Gallant, she served as President and Chief Scientific Officer of Medicus Biosciences and as Vice President of Product Development at VetStem Biopharma, where she helped pioneer the first off-the-shelf stem cell therapies for dogs. Dr. Black has authored foundational research on adipose-derived stem cells and has led programs advancing these therapies to commercialization. She holds a DVM from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
