ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation(UC-MSCT)for patients with refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods Twelve patients with refractory SLE were enrolled in this study.UC-MSCs(≥106/kg cell number)were infused intravenously for each patient. The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters were compared before and after MSCT. Results The twelve patients were followed up for one to twenty-six months after MSCT.The systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index(SLEDAI)score decreased from 18±4 to 10±4 one month after MSCT(n=12,P＜0.01)and then decreased to 7±4 at three month follow-up.Nine patients showed improvement of 24 h proteinuria[(2103±749)mg vs(3359±1248)mg,P＜0.01]one month after MSCT.Further improvement of 24 h proteinuria was observed in eight patients[(1427±616)mg vs(3342±1333)mg,P＜0.01]at three months post MSCT.Serum creatinine of five patients decreased significantly and ten patients showed an increase of serum albumin. Serum complement C3 increased in three patients and four patients showed obvious amelioration of hematological abnormalities. There was no transplantation related complications for all the patients. Conclusion UC-MSCT is effective and safe for refractory SLE,but further observation is required to evaluate its long term efficacy.