Equine stem cell treatment tested on humans

Stem cell treatment used to heal tendon injuries in competition horses is being tested out on humans for the first time.

Incredible results

Stem cells have been used to treat tendon injuries in racehorses, eventers and showjumpers with incredible results. The re-injury rate has fallen by 50 percent and one racehorse called Dream Alliance, who tore a tendon, went on to win the Welsh National in 2009.

Such is the success with horses, it is now being tested out on humans suffering from a condition called Achilles tendinopathy. A group of 10 patients are being used in the study at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and University College London, which is being funded by the UK Stem Cell Foundation.

Stem cells will be taken from each patient’s pelvis, which will then be left to grow in the lab for four to five weeks, before being injected into their damaged Achilles tendon.

Life-changing impact

According to Andy Goldberg, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, horses have similar tendon problems to humans. He has been working with the Royal Veterinary College, whose spin-out company VetCell has led the way with stem cell treatment in horses.

“We have seen stem cell treatments produce impressive outcomes in race horses and this trial will be the first step towards seeing if this is also a viable treatment in humans,” he said inThe Telegraph.

“If things go well, we are hopeful this treatment could have a life-changing impact on patients.”