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Veterinary surgery : VS2023; doi: 10.1111/vsu.14030

Allogeneic chondrogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of tarsometatarsal lameness in horses.

Abstract: To assess the efficacy of commercial intra-articular blood-derived allogeneic-induced mesenchymal stem cells (CIMSCs) to treat tarsometatarsal lameness in horses. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Methods: Records from 167 adult light breed horses with bilateral tarsometatarsal lameness. Methods: Horses with tarsometatarsal lameness were retrospectively selected from medical records. Diagnosis followed subjective graded lameness assessment before and after intra-articular analgesia, with graded radiographic tarsal examination. Horses were excluded if they were diagnosed or treated for any other concurrent lameness conditions during the study. Time to last follow-up and time of recurrence of lameness was recorded at veterinary re-assessment. Results: A total of 67 horses were recruited to the CIMSC-treated group and 100 to the corticosteroid (CS)-treated group. Median age was 9 years, with no difference in signalment, use or radiographic grade between groups. First re-examination was 38 days (95% CI: 38-49), with no difference between groups, CIMSC 42 (35-45), control 34 (25-42). Median follow-up was 438 days for CIMSC, 546 for controls. Symptoms of lameness recurred in 86/100 controls compared to 17/67 (25%) CIMSC. Median time to lameness recurring in CIMSC was 336 days (95% CI: 239-400), control 90 days (95% CI: 80-108), p < .0001. Cox proportional hazard ratio for treatment was 8.35, 95% CI: 4.67 to 14.92, p < .0001. Conclusions: Lameness was abolished in all treated horses. It recurred significantly less often, and later, in CIMSC-treated horses. Conclusions: Intra-articular CIMSC treatment results in prolonged soundness in horses with tarsometatarsal lameness.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-08 PubMed ID: 37681480DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14030Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the use of commercial intra-articular blood-derived allogeneic-induced mesenchymal stem cells (CIMSCs) in treating lameness in horses’ tarsometatarsal joints and concludes that CIMSC treatment results in prolonged soundness compared to traditional corticosteroid treatment.

Objective of the Study

  • The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial intra-articular blood-derived allogeneic-induced mesenchymal stem cells (CIMSCs) treatment in managing tarsometatarsal lameness in horses.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a retrospective review of medical records from 167 adult light breed horses suffering from bilateral tarsometatarsal lameness.
  • The lameness was diagnosed through subjective graded lameness assessment before and after intra-articular analgesia, accompanied by graded radiographic examination of the tarsal area.
  • Horses that were diagnosed or treated for any other concurrent lameness conditions during the study were excluded.
  • The researchers then tracked the time to the last follow-up and the recurrence time of lameness as documented at veterinary reassessments.

Results

  • 67 horses were assigned to the CIMSC-treated group, while 100 horses were designated for corticosteroid (CS)-treatment.
  • Both groups had an average age of 9 years and showed no significant difference in terms of use, signalment, or radiographic grade.
  • The first re-examination was conducted after a median of 38 days, without any substantial difference between the two groups. The median follow-up time was 438 days for the CIMSC group, and 546 days for the control (CS-treatment) group.
  • Lameness symptoms recurred in 86 out of 100 horses in the control group, compared to only 17 out of 67 horses (25%) in the CIMSC-treated group.
  • Median time to lameness recurrence was significantly longer in CIMSC-treated horses at 336 days, compared to 90 days in the control group.
  • The results reflected an 8.35 Cox proportional hazard ratio for treatment, signifying a remarkable decrease in lameness incidence in the CIMSC group.

Conclusions

  • The study concludes that lameness in all treated horses was eradicated.
  • However, recurrence was significantly less frequent and more delayed in the CIMSC-treated group.
  • Therefore, the study suggests that intra-articular CIMSC treatment presents a more effective and prolonged solution to manage tarsometatarsal lameness in horses, compared to corticosteroid treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Coomer RPC, Terschuur JA, Pressanto MC, Walker I. (2023). Allogeneic chondrogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of tarsometatarsal lameness in horses. Vet Surg. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.14030

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Coomer, Richard P C
  • Cotts Equine Hospital, Narberth, UK.
Terschuur, Janine A
  • Cotts Equine Hospital, Narberth, UK.
Pressanto, M Chiara
  • Cotts Equine Hospital, Narberth, UK.
Walker, Ian
  • School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Aeri A, Gorla M, Sharma GT. Veterinary Regenerative Medicine: The Evolving Role of Stem Cell-Based Therapies. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2025 Nov;21(8):2484-2510.
    doi: 10.1007/s12015-025-10963-zpubmed: 40900287google scholar: lookup
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