Stem cell therapy shows potential for treating age-related fragility

Laromestrocel is a regenerative drug based on mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy young donors. The drug is being developed by the biotechnology company Longeveron Inc. The therapy aims to address three key biological causes of age-related fragility: chronic low-intensity inflammation (inflammaging), vascular dysfunction that impairs muscle nutrition, and the natural depletion of the body’s own stem cell pool.

Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various types of specialized cells, promoting the repair of damaged tissues and organs. The drug’s administration helps to replenish the repair cells and activate the internal regeneration processes.

The trial involved 148 volunteers aged 70 to 85 with diagnosed age-related fragility. This clinical condition is characterized by increased vulnerability to stressors, a high risk of falls, hospitalization, and cognitive decline. Currently, there are no specific medical treatments for this condition.

The participants received a single dose of the drug in various dosages or a placebo. Nine months after the start of therapy, the following results were recorded:

• Almost a third of patients (30.8%) who received an effective dose moved from the category of “fragile” to the category of individuals without clinical signs of fragility.
• In the group that received a dose of 200 million cells, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) improved by an average of 63.4 meters compared to the control group.
• The subjective reports of the participants confirmed the objective data: patients reported an increase in physical strength and improved mobility when performing daily tasks.

Researchers estimate that between 12% and 24% of people over the age of 65 suffer from age-related frailty. Given the global aging of the population, the lack of effective therapies places significant strain on health and social care systems. The successful completion of phase 2b allows scientists to determine the optimal dosage for large-scale Phase 3 trials, which is necessary for the subsequent registration of the drug and its introduction into clinical practice.

The study confirms that stem cell therapy can not only mask symptoms, but also partially reverse the processes that lead to loss of functionality in old age.