Fibroblast Cell Therapy or Stem Cell Therapy for MS: Hamid Khoja, PhD

This content originally appeared on our sister site, NeurologyLive.

FibroBiologics is targeting multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic diseases with the use of fibroblast cell technologies. NeurologyLive spoke with Hamid Khoja, PhD, chief scientific officer, FibroBiologics, to learn more about how this technology is being leveraged as well as the specific benefits for patients with MS.

Khoja discussed how, in terms of cell therapy, fibroblasts are more economical, exist in higher numbers, and are easier to obtain for culture than stem cells. Fibroblasts also grow faster than stem cells, with doubling rates of 18-24 hours vs 2-3 days, respectively. Data from preclinical studies of fibroblasts also suggest that the immune modulation effect for MS is superior to bone marrow-deprived mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells.

Data further indicate that this treatment approach is safe for patients with MS, as investigators were able to infuse 100 million tolerogenic fibroblasts into patients without and adverse events. While the clinical trial was aimed at assessing safety, investigators observed efficacy in that none of the 4 included patients with relapsing-remitting MS had an episode.