Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Case Report of an Adjuvant Ambulatory Therapy for a COVID-19 High-Risk and Steroid-hypersensitive Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the rapid progression of COVID-19 to severe and critical stages, thousands of patients have required the use of intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, placing an excessive strain on health systems. Immunomodulatory effects of Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) have shown promising results in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. However, the effect of promptly applied cell therapy on ambulatory patient prognosis has not been described. This case report presents the clinical outcome of a multimorbid, steroid-hypersensitive, COVID-19 patient treated with WJ-MSCs transplantation.

Case presentation: A 67-year-old woman with Type 2 diabetes, overweight (82 kg, 168 cm, BMI = 29.053), hypertension (190/60 mmHg) and steroid-hypersensitivity, tested positive for COVID-19 after presenting typical symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, myalgia, nasal congestion, dysgeusia, anosmia and oxygen saturation (SpO2) 94% - 96%, with normal body temperature (36°C). The patient received pharmacologic treatment but, when symptoms worsened, WJ-MSCs were transplanted to modulate the suspected onset of the cytokine release syndrome. Significant improvement of symptoms and clinical parameters (inflammatory markers and CT score) was observed, and the patient fully recovered within a short period of time.

Conclusion: The present case report exhibits the favorable outcome of using Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells (WJ-MSCs) as an ambulatory and adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. Prompt WJ-MSCs infusion can be a safe ambulatory adjuvant therapy in COVID-19 infection care, preventing disease progression to critical stages and avoiding hospital overcrowding.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cellular therapy; ambulatory therapy; clinical translation; immunotherapy; mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).