They hold the potential to treat everything from canine osteoarthritis to feline kidney disease, and more. But are stem cell veterinary therapies ready for prime time?

In a 2011 article published in the international peer-reviewed journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy, investigators concluded the studies that have been done are mostly inconclusive, and there’s still more we don’t know:

The clinical use of stem cells in veterinary medicine is clearly in its early stages. Applications for BM-MSC and AD-SVF cells in the treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies are currently in use in several species, although the differential efficacies of various approaches are still being investigated. Optimization of these stem cell-based therapies will focus on cellular origin, isolation, enrichment, and processing as well as on the timing, route of administration, formulation, and dosing of those therapies.

In January of this year, Colorado State University announced the fifth clinical trial in its ongoing study of the use of stem cells for kidney disease in cats:

Although the disease is very common, risk factors are poorly understood and it is tough to treat: Chronic kidney disease is considered irreversible, and treatment typically centers on slowing progression of the disease through supportive care, such as dietary changes, injected fluids and blood-pressure medication.

Yet in a pilot study last year, CSU veterinarians determined that stem-cell therapy could provide a new treatment option for cats. After preliminary results, the research team is further investigating the ability of stem cells to repair damaged kidneys.

Veterinarians are intrigued by use of stem-cell therapy for chronic kidney failure in cats because earlier studies demonstrated that the approach could decrease inflammation, promote regeneration of damaged cells, slow loss of protein through urine and improve kidney function, said Dr. Jessica Quimby, a veterinarian leading the CSU research.

“In our pilot study last year, in which stem cells were injected intravenously, we found stem-cell therapy to be safe, and we saw evidence of improvement among some of the cats enrolled in the trial,” Quimby said. “In this study, we will further explore stem-cell therapy with the new approach of injecting the cells close to the damaged organs. We hope this proximity could yield even better results.”

For the CSU study, the stem cells used have been cultivated from the fat of young, healthy cats; donor animals are not harmed.

Researchers at CSU are also studying the use of stem cells for chronic canine heptatis.

And at the University of Florida, a study conducted by Antonio Pozzi, D.V.M., an associate professor of small animal surgery at UF, is underway to examine whether or not stem cells really do help with canine osteoarthritis, funded by a $330,000 gift from Robert and Janet Sabes and the Sabes Foundation:

“We are going to be approaching this in the most scientific way we can to really test the validity and effectiveness of stem cell treatment in dogs,” Pozzi said.

UF veterinarians will assess orthopedic function, as well as activity and quality of life of the dogs to see if their conditions improve. After initial treatment, the dogs will be evaluated after one, three and six months to determine levels of inflammation.

Pozzi said it is common for dogs with cruciate ligament injury in one leg to soon see the same problem in the opposite leg. In the future, UF veterinarians also hope to explore whether stem cell injections in the opposite leg might be able to delay or prevent cruciate ligament injury.

“Stem cell research is the future for the advancement of longevity in both humans and animals, as well as the future of disease prevention and cure,” said Robert Sabes. “The Sabes Foundation has donated to many medical research programs in the hope of further advancement of stem cell technology.”

He added that he and his wife, Janet, as board trustees of the foundation, feel that there is no more important area worthy of support in today’s world.

“This area of research is something that affects us all, as well as our closest friends and companions — our dogs,” he said.

Also of interest:

“The Many Sides of Stem Cell Therapy” from the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)