Do Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Augment Bone Growth and Contact to Massive Bone Tumor Implants

This study investigated the hypothesis that spraying autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) onto grooved hydroxyapatite (HA) coated collars of segmental bone tumor implants would increase bone growth and contact to the implant surface in an ovine model. Autologous MSCs were isolated from bone marrow, grown in culture and during surgery implants in group 1 were sprayed with MSCs, suspended within fibrin glue. Implants in group 2 received no MSC therapy and acted as control. Implants remained in vivo for 6 months. New bone area and contact to the implant was quantified on radiographs and histologically. Radiographic analysis demonstrated greater total bone area in the MSC treated group in both ML (MSC = 79.738 mm2 ± 22.964; control = 30.135 mm2 ± 6.717) (p = 0.018) and AP (MSC = 90.338 ± 19.361 mm2; control = 57.384 ± 9.035 mm2 (p = 0.074) radiographs at 6 months. Results demonstrated significantly increased bone growth in the MSC group at 2 (p = 0.03) and 3 months (p < 0.05). Histological analysis demons...