Handheld MPI Imaging to Track Stem Cells in Osteoarthritis

Summary

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the use of a handheld Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) device for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The primary objective is to visualize and quantify the distribution, retention, and survival of SPIO (superparamagnetic iron oxide)-labeled MSCs within the joint space following intra-articular injection. By correlating MPI signal dynamics with established clinical outcomes (e.g., WOMAC, VAS scores) and anatomical MRI assessments, the study seeks to predict treatment efficacy and optimize therapeutic strategies for OA. Current assessment of MSC therapy relies largely on MRI for structural evaluation, which has limited sensitivity for tracking early cell viability and migration. MPI offers high-contrast, radiation-free functional imaging capable of directly detecting SPIO-labeled cells. This study will enroll patients with mild-to-moderate OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III). Participants will receive a single injection of ferumoxytol-labeled UC-MSCs into the affected knee. MPI scans will be performed at multiple timepoints (day 1, 3, 7, and 30) to monitor cell homing, retention rate, and signal decay. MRI will be used in parallel to evaluate cartilage morphology and synovial changes. The study expects to demonstrate that MPI can effectively track MSC behavior in vivo, providing a novel tool to understand cell therapy mechanisms, assess treatment response early, and potentially guide personalized OA management.

Timeline

Start

2025-12-16

Primary completion

2026-02-16

Completion

2026-12-16

Publications

• Background Feng X, Gao P, Li Y, Hui H, Jiang J, Xie F, Tian J. First magnetic particle imaging to assess pulmonary vascular leakage in vivo in the acutely injured and fibrotic lung. Bioeng Transl Med. 2023 Nov 29;9(2):e10626. doi: 10.1002/btm2.10626. eCollection 2024 Mar.
• Background Ferreira-Filho VC, Morais B, Vieira BJC, Waerenborgh JC, Carmezim MJ, Toth CN, Meme S, Lacerda S, Jaque D, Sousa CT, Campello MPC, Pereira LCJ. Influence of SPION Surface Coating on Magnetic Properties and Theranostic Profile. Molecules. 2024 Apr 17;29(8):1824. doi: 10.3390/molecules29081824.
• Background Nejadnik H, Tseng J, Daldrup-Link H. Magnetic resonance imaging of stem cell-macrophage interactions with ferumoxytol and ferumoxytol-derived nanoparticles. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol. 2019 Jul;11(4):e1552. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1552. Epub 2019 Feb 7.
• Background Matas J, Garcia C, Poblete D, Vernal R, Ortloff A, Luque-Campos N, Hidalgo Y, Cuenca J, Infante C, Cadiz MI, Khoury M, Luz-Crawford P, Espinoza F. A Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2024 Mar 15;13(3):193-203. doi: 10.1093/stcltm/szad088.
• Background Pico OA, Espinoza F, Cadiz MI, Sossa CL, Becerra-Bayona SM, Salgado MCC, Rodriguez JER, Cardenas OFV, Cure JMQ, Khoury M, Arango-Rodriguez ML. Efficacy of a single dose of cryopreserved human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis:a randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study. Cytotherapy. 2025 Feb;27(2):188-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.09.005. Epub 2024 Oct 16.
• Background Negoro T, Takagaki Y, Okura H, Matsuyama A. Trends in clinical trials for articular cartilage repair by cell therapy. NPJ Regen Med. 2018 Oct 11;3:17. doi: 10.1038/s41536-018-0055-2. eCollection 2018.
• Background Xiang XN, Zhu SY, He HC, Yu X, Xu Y, He CQ. Mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapy for cartilage regeneration in knee osteoarthritis. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2022 Jan 10;13(1):14. doi: 10.1186/s13287-021-02689-9.
• Background Vina ER, Kwoh CK. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: literature update. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2018 Mar;30(2):160-167. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0000000000000479.
• Background Scheuing WJ, Reginato AM, Deeb M, Acer Kasman S. The burden of osteoarthritis: Is it a rising problem? Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2023 Jun;37(2):101836. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2023.101836. Epub 2023 Aug 24.
• Background Allen KD, Thoma LM, Golightly YM. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2022 Feb;30(2):184-195. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.04.020. Epub 2021 Sep 14.

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