Pharmaceutical Kits Comprising Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

A method of treating a natural soft skeletal tissue injury in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient a composition of mesenchymal stem cells in liquid suspension enriched compared to the natural source of said cells, or tenocytes derived therefrom. The method is particularly suited to the regeneration of tendons in competitive mammals, such as the superficial digital flexor tendon of the horse.

1 . A method of treating a natural soft skeletal tissue injury in a patient the method comprising administering to the patient a composition of mesenchymal stem cells in liquid suspension enriched compared to the natural source of said cells, or tenocytes derived therefrom. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the injury is strain induced. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the composition of mesenchymal stem cells or tenocytes is administered at the site of tissue injury. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the soft skeletal tissue is a tendon or ligament. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is a mammal. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5  wherein the mammal is a human or a non-human mammal of economic importance. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein the non-human mammal is selected from the group consisting of horses, dogs and camels. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is a horse. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is a horse or a camel and the soft skeletal tissue is selected from the group consisting of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, meniscus, cruciate ligament, and accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is a dog and the soft skeletal tissue is selected from the group consisting of Achilles tendon, cruciate ligament, meniscus, flexor tendon and intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the patient is a human and the soft skeletal tissue is selected from the group consisting of Achilles tendon, quadriceps tendon, rotator cuff, medial and lateral epicondylitis, cruciate ligament, meniscus and intervertebral disc. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells or tenocytes are allogenic. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells or tenocytes are autologous. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are derived from the bone marrow of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the mesenchymal stem cells are derived from umbilical cord blood previously recovered from the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid suspension of mesenchymal stem cells or tenocytes is injected. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein biological signals which encourage the mesenchymal stem cells to form tenocytes are also administered to the patient. 
     
     
         18 . Use of a composition of mesenchymal stem cells in liquid suspension enriched compared to the natural source of said cells, or tenocytes derived therefrom, in the manufacture of a medicament for treating a natural soft skeletal tissue injury in a patient. 
     
     
         19 . A kit of parts comprising (1) a composition of mesenchymal stem cells in liquid suspension enriched compared to the natural source of said cells, or tenocytes derived therefrom, (2) means for delivering the liquid suspension of stem cells to a site of natural soft skeletal tissue injury in a patient and (3) means for determining that the means for delivering locate to the site of injury. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the site of injury is cleansed of damaged tissue and any early repair scar tissue starting to form at the site before administration of the composition of mesenchymal stem cells or tenocytes.