Adipose stem cell treatment is a type of regenerative medicine that uses fat tissue as a source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). MSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate into various types of cells, such as cartilage, bone, and muscle. They also have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties that can promote healing and reduce pain. Adipose stem cell treatment involves harvesting fat tissue from the patient’s own body, usually from the abdomen or thigh, and processing it to isolate the MSCs. The MSCs are then injected into the affected knee joint, where they can potentially regenerate the damaged cartilage and improve joint function.

There are several clinical trials and studies that have evaluated the safety and efficacy of adipose stem cell treatment for knee OA. Some of the results are summarized below:

• A phase I/II, randomized, active-control, single-blind, multiple-center clinical trial compared the intra-articular injection of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) ELIXCYTE® with hyaluronic acid (HA) in 57 patients with knee OA¹. The results showed that ELIXCYTE® was safe and well-tolerated, and had significant effects on reducing pain and improving function compared to HA. The ELIXCYTE® groups also showed earlier onset and longer duration of effectiveness than the HA group.
• A prospective, randomized, controlled study compared the intra-articular injection of autologous adipose tissue with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in 60 patients with knee OA². The study protocol included five assessments before and after the treatment, using patient-reported outcome measures, functional tests, and maximal isometric voluntary contraction.
• A case series reported the outcomes of 10 patients with knee OA who received autologous adipose-derived biocellular stem cell-rich prolotherapy from Hoffa’s fat pad³. The results showed that the treatment improved pain and function scores at 6- and 12-month follow-up, and was associated with increased cartilage thickness and decreased joint effusion on ultrasound imaging.
• A video presentation described a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cell injections as a treatment for patients with knee OA⁴. The trial involved 25 patients who received two injections of either adipose-derived MSCs or saline placebo at 6-week intervals. The primary outcome was the change in pain score at 6 months. The secondary outcomes included changes in function, quality of life, cartilage volume, and synovial fluid biomarkers. The trial is completed and the results are pending publication.
• A prospective study reported the clinical results and second-look arthroscopic findings after treatment with adipose-derived stem cell therapy in 18 elderly patients with knee OA⁵. The results showed that the treatment improved pain and function scores at 6- and 12-month follow-up, and was associated with cartilage regeneration and reduced synovitis on arthroscopy.

These studies suggest that adipose stem cell treatment is a promising option for knee OA treatment, especially for elderly patients who have limited options for surgery or pharmacotherapy.