C12023: Autologous Adult Stem Cell Therapy for Prevention of Pre-Term Birth

Unmet Need
Preterm birth is among the top causes of death in infants worldwide.  Preterm birth affects 12% of obstetrical outcomes and is associated with significant short term and long term public health ramifications for the children born in that setting. Currently, there are no effective therapies that significantly reduce uterine contractions to prevent preterm birth.
 
Technology Overview
JHU researchers conducted rodent experiments, utilizing a mouse model of intrauterine inflammation and preterm birth to determine whether maternal treatment with human stem cells would decrease the rate of preterm birth.  The mice pretreated with human adipose stem cells before induced uterine inflammation showed a significant decrease in the rate of preterm births. This suggests that autologous human stem cells can potentially be harvested, selected and administered to prevent premature birth in women with a history or risk factors for preterm birth.
This technology proposes a novel use of select autologous adipose stem cell populations which are important mediators in blocking intrauterine inflammation. Therapeutic delivery of stem cells has promising potential as a preventative treatment in women who are at high risk of preterm birth to decrease inflammation in the uterus during pregnancy and to reduce the probability of early labor. Other advantages of the technology include:
 

• The use of autologous stem cells is advantageous since there is nearly no risk that the individual’s immune system will reject the transplant.
• Treatment can be administered as a preventative treatment before any clinical signs are detected.
• Can potentially be administered early in pregnancy.

 
Stage of Development
Pre-Clinical
 
Publications

1. Lei, J., et al. "Murine Model: Maternal Administration of Stem Cells for Prevention of Prematurity." American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol. 212, no. 5, 2015, pp. 639.e1-639.e10. (PMC4817275)
2. US20150110751 - Stem cells as an individualized maternal therapy for prevention of prematurity;

 
 

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