World-first clinical trial of stem cell therapy for septic shock

A team of researchers in Ottawa has been awarded grants to lead the first clinical trial in the world of a stem cell therapy for septic shock. This deadly condition occurs when an infection spreads throughout the body and over-activates the immune system, resulting in severe organ damage and death in 30 to 40 per ent of cases.  This new “Phase I” trial will test the experimental therapy in up to 15 patients with septic shock at The Ottawa Hospital’s ICU. The treatment involves mesenchymal stem cells. Like other stem cells, they can give rise to a variety of more specialized cells and tissues and can help repair and regenerate damaged organs. They also have a unique ability to modify the body’s immune response and enhance the clearance of infectious organisms. They can be found in adult bone marrow and other tissues, as well as umbilical cord blood, and they seem to be easily transplantable between people, because they are more able to avoid immune rejection.