ObjectivesThe present study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intravenous, allogeneic uterine-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UMSCs) for client-owned cats with refractory feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS).MethodsThis was a 90-day prospective, multi-site, baseline-controlled, clinical trial involving 46 cats with refractory FCGS after partial- or full-mouth extractions. Cats received two doses of 20 million UMSCs, 14 days apart. Effectiveness was evaluated at days 14, 28, 60 and 90 using owner-reported assessment of overall response (ORA), client-specific outcome measures (CSOM) of quality-of-life improvement and veterinarian-assessed global oral lesion score (GOLS) tissue healing. Safety assessments included clinical observations and clinical pathology.ResultsTreatment success rates at days 28, 60 and 90 were 61.4% (27/44), 76.3% (29/38) and 78.8% (26/33) for CSOM; 65.9% (29/44), 73.7% (28/38) and 75.8% (25/33) for ORA; and 31.8% (13/44), 47.5% (18/38) and 45.5% (15/33) for GOLS. CSOM and GOLS on day 14 after a single dose were 52.3% (23/44) and 25.0% (11/44), respectively. Cats treated within 6 months of tooth extraction had greater improvement in GOLS. There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes between cats with partial- or full-mouth extractions. Adverse events were generally mild and transient, with most related to underlying disease. All six serious adverse events were either unlikely to be due to, or in one case inconclusively attributed to, UMSC therapy.Conclusions and relevanceRepeated intravenous UMSC therapy was well tolerated and demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in quality of life in cats with refractory FCGS within 2 weeks of treatment. In addition, oral lesions continued to improve over time. These results support the safe and effective use of UMSCs for this life-threatening condition.
Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; allogeneic; caudal oral stomatitis; chronic gingivostomatitis; regenerative medicine; stromal cells.
Stem cell treatment improves quality of life in cats with severe, treatment-resistant mouth inflammationFeline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a painful, long-lasting inflammation of a cat’s mouth and gums. Cats with this disease may have trouble eating, grooming or enjoying normal activities. In severe cases, veterinarians remove many or all of the cat’s teeth, but this surgery does not always solve the problem. When the disease continues after surgery, it can be very difficult to treat, and some cats are euthanized because of poor quality of life. This study tested whether stem cells from donated cat uterine tissue could help cats with non-responsive FCGS feel better and heal. A total of 46 pet cats from multiple veterinary clinics across the USA took part. All cats had already had partial- or full-mouth extractions and medication, but their disease remained active. Each cat received two doses of stem cells by intravenous injection, given 2 weeks apart. Veterinarians examined the cats’ mouths at several visits over 3 months, and owners reported changes in their cats’ comfort and daily activities. Within 2 weeks of starting treatment, more than half the cats showed meaningful improvement in both oral healing and quality of life. By 3 months, about three-quarters of the cats had better owner-reported quality-of-life scores and nearly half had visibly improved mouth tissues on veterinary examination. Cats treated sooner after tooth extraction showed better oral healing. Side effects were generally mild and temporary. A few serious health issues occurred, but none were clearly linked to the stem cell treatment. These findings suggest that intravenous stem cell therapy can be a safe and effective option for cats with FCGS that does not improve after surgery and medical management, offering hope for a better quality of life in cats with this challenging disease.