Bone marrow–mesenchymal stromal cell infusion in patients with chronic kidney disease: A safety study with 18 months of follow-up

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of kidney function and structure that affects approximately 13% of the population worldwide. A recent meta-analysis revealed that cell-based therapies improve impaired renal function and structure in preclinical models of CKD. We assessed the safety and tolerability of bone marrow–mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) infusion in patients with CKD. Methods A single-arm study was carried out at one center with 18-month follow-up in seven eligible patients with CKD due to different etiologies such as hypertension, nephrotic syndrome (NS) and unknown etiology. We administered an intravenous infusion (1–2 × 106 cells/kg) of autologous cultured MSCs. The primary endpoint was safety, which was measured by number and severity of adverse events. The secondary endpoint was decrease in the rate of decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We compared kidney function during the follow-up visits to baseline and 18 months prior to the intervention. Results Follow-up visits of all seven patients were completed; however, we have not observed any cell-related adverse events during the trial. Changes in eGFR (P = 0.10) and serum creatinine (P = 0.24) from 18 months before cell infusion to baseline in comparison with baseline to 18 months were not statistically significant. Conclusions We showed safety and tolerability of a single-dose infusion of autologous MSCs in patients with CKD.