How stem cell therapy can help patients with deadly MDR-TB

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading contributor of death among all infectious diseases. And multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is the main reason why death rates due to tuberculosis are on the r

Agencies | Updated: January 13, 2014 4:49 pm

Tags: TB

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading contributor of death among all infectious diseases. And multiple-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is the main reason why death rates due to tuberculosis are on the rise. Read more about MDR-TB.

MDR TB basically develops when patients suffering from TB fail to comply with their course of drugs. This causes the TB bacteria to develop resistance towards the drugs. Once the bacteria develop resistance, the drugs are no longer effective in killing the bacteria and curing the disease. Isoniazid and rifampicin were the two most potent anti-TB drugs used for the treatment of tuberculosis. But, TB bacteria have found to develop resistance towards them, making treatment of TB extremely difficult.

MDR TB is especially dangerous because along with the difficulties faced in treating the disease, MDR TB patients are potential carriers of the MDR TB bacteria which can be transmitted to healthy individuals in various forms increasing the risk of spreading the disease to the public as well as healthcare individuals. MDR TB bacteria can also infect HIV and AIDS patients and can cause death within a few weeks. Latent MDR TB is furthermore risky because it could lead to major TB outbreaks all over the world due to migration and tourism. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop new options to treat MDR-TB.

The biggest challenge in the treatment of TB is to get rid of the dormant TB bacteria that find shelter deep inside the stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells, within the bone marrow. In this latent stage, the bacteria stay hidden and avoid recognition by cells of the immune system as well as drugs. Once the immune responses are lowered, the bacteria get an opportunity to circulate in the blood and re-infect the tissues.

A recent research by Markus J. Maeurer and colleagues from Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm found the potential of bone marrow stem cell therapy to treat MDR- TB and extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) patients. The study found that patients infused with new mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from their own bone marrow showed boosting response rates against the MDR-TB bacteria. Out of 30 MDR-TB patients involved in the study, 16 patients showed no signs of infection by the end of 18 months. Moreover, the therapy didn’t show any serious adverse effects.

This study particularly highlights that MSC therapy may be used as an adjunct therapy in patients with MDR TB or XDR-TB. However, future trials are needed to evaluate the effects of the therapy on immune responses.

Published: January 10, 2014 10:47 am | Updated:January 13, 2014 4:49 pm

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