Ukrainian scientists at the Institute of Cell Therapy have made significant progress in treating serious complications after COVID-19

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukrainian scientists have been searching for effective drugs that can save patients’ health, and sometimes their lives.

For two years, based on the extensive experience of using stem cells in the treatment of patients with various diseases, scientists of the Institute of Cell Therapy have conducted dozens of clinical studies, most of which have been successfully completed.

In the third year of the pandemic, we had new successes. Our scientists have made a breakthrough in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome – the life-threatening lung injury caused by COVID-19 via stem cell transplantation.

Replacing lung tissue with connective tissue in the post-viral period in patients who have had a severe form of pneumonia/ARDS is one of the causes of pulmonary failure and disability in patients.

Patients with complications were given cell preparations of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), manufactured by the Biotechnology Laboratory of the Institute of Cell Therapy according to international standards. The results of the study showed that the intravenous injection of MSCs led to a decrease in the inflammatory process during the first two weeks, and to a significant decrease in the level of fibrous degeneration in the lungs of COVID-19 patients.

The clinical study was conducted in accordance with the requirements of current legislation and international principles, and the results were published in the prestigious scientific journal “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”- https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/5/4435#