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Veterinary surgery : VS2022; 51(4); 557-567; doi: 10.1111/vsu.13805

Current use of biologic therapies for musculoskeletal disease: A survey of board-certified equine specialists.

Abstract: To evaluate the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), autologous conditioned serum (ACS), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and autologous protein solution (APS) for the treatment of equine musculoskeletal disease by diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgery (ACVS), and American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR). Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Diplomates (n = 423). Methods: An email link was sent to ACVS and ACVMR diplomates. A survey contained 59 questions regarding demographics, as well as indications, frequency, adverse effects, and limitations of use. Responses were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: One hundred and fifty four surveys were analyzed. Years in practice and type of practice were not associated with biologic therapy use. PRP was the most used therapy (120/137; 87.5%). PRP and MSCs were most often administered intralesionally while ACS and APS were most often administered intra-articularly. ACS (50/104; 48.1%) treatment was repeated commonly within 2 weeks of initial injection. MSCs (39/90; 43.3%) and PRP (38/100; 38%) were commonly repeated 1-2 months after initial injection and APS was typically repeated >4 months after initial injection (21/53; 39.6%). Local inflammation and expense were the most common adverse effect and limitation of use. Conclusions: Diplomates most commonly utilized PRP and MSC intralesionally for soft-tissue injuries, and ACS and ACP intra-articularly for joint injury. Protocols for repeated administration varied widely. Local inflammation was a clinical concern with the use of biologics. Conclusions: Biologic therapies are used commonly by ACVS and ACVSMR diplomates for soft tissue and joint disease.
© 2022 The Authors. Veterinary Surgery published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-05 PubMed ID: 35383972PubMed Central: PMC9322007DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13805Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research presents a survey conducted among the diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgery (ACVS) and American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR), aimed at evaluating their use of biologic therapies like mesenchymal stem cells, autologous conditioned serum, platelet-rich plasma, and autologous protein solution in treating horse (equine) musculoskeletal disease.

Methodology

  • The study utilizes a cross-sectional methodology, distributing a survey through an email link sent to ACVS and ACVMR diplomates.
  • The survey contains 59 questions addressing demographics, indications, frequency of use, adverse effects, and limitations concerning the usage of biologic therapies.
  • A total of 423 diplomates were involved in the study, out of which responses from 154 surveys were analyzed.
  • Fisher’s exact test was used to analyze survey responses.

Findings

  • The findings highlighted that the type and years of practice were not related to the use of biologic therapy.
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was found to be the most frequently used therapy.
  • PRP and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were most often delivered intralesionally (injected directly into lesions), while autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and autologous protein solution (APS) were usually administered intra-articularly (injected into a joint).
  • Regimens for repeated administration varied broadly. ACS treatment was often repeated within 2 weeks of the initial injection, while MSCs and PRP were usually repeated 1-2 months after the initial injection.
  • APS was typically re-administered more than 4 months after the initial injection.
  • The two most common adverse effect and limitation of the biologic therapies were local inflammation and cost.

Conclusion

  • The analysis demonstrated that diplomates frequently used PRP and MSC for soft-tissue injuries and ACS and ACP for joint injury.
  • Findings confirmed that biologic therapies were commonly used by ACVS and ACVSMR diplomates for soft tissue and joint disease in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Knott LE, Fonseca-Martinez BA, O'Connor AM, Goodrich LR, McIlwraith CW, Colbath AC. (2022). Current use of biologic therapies for musculoskeletal disease: A survey of board-certified equine specialists. Vet Surg, 51(4), 557-567. https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13805

Publication

Veterinary surgery : VS
ISSN: 1532-950X
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 51
Issue: 4
Pages: 557-567

Researcher Affiliations

Knott, Lindsay E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Fonseca-Martinez, B Alexander
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
O'Connor, Annette M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Goodrich, Laurie R
  • Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
McIlwraith, C Wayne
  • Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Colbath, Aimee C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Therapy / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / veterinary
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grant Funding

  • T32 OD010437 / NIH HHS

Conflict of Interest Statement

Dr. Laurie Goodrich is a shareholder in Advanced Regenerative Therapies (Fort Collins, Colorado) and a member of the scientific advisory board for EQCell, Inc. (Guelph, Canada). Dr. Wayne McIlwraith is a shareholder in Advanced Regenerative Therapies (Fort Collins, Colorado), a member of the board of directors of EQCell Inc. (Guelph, Canada), and a consultant for Arthrex (Naples, Florida). The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest related to this report.

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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