OBJECTIVE: Perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease (CD) are associated with a high burden of illness and their treatment is challenging. Recent data indicate promising short-term efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell (bmMSC) therapy. The aim of this case series is to gather more information on the long-term effectiveness and safety.

METHODS: Between 2013 and 2017, bmMSCs were administered under compassionate use to patients at a university hospital in Germany, as no stem cell therapy was approved at the time. Inclusion criteria were inactive CD (Harvey-Bradshaw Index <5) without proctitis, at least one treatment-refractory perianal fistula (with or without rectovaginal additional fistulas) and prior tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor and/or surgical exposure. After curettage of the fistula tract, patients received repeated intrafistular injections with up to 300 million bmMSCs. We retrospectively analysed patient records to assess disease course, clinical fistula remission and radiological activity using the modified van Assche index.

RESULTS: Six female patients with a total of 13 fistulas (9 trans-sphincteric, 2 extrasphincteric and 2 rectovaginal) underwent bmMSC application. Median radiological and clinical long-term follow-up was 80 months (range 44-98 months) after first local bmMSC injection. 8 of 13 fistulas (62%) exhibited complete closure. For rectovaginal fistulas, long-term remission (98 months) was 50% (1 of 2). Pelvic MRI showed a decrease in modified Van Assche index from baseline to long-term follow-up. No immediate adverse events related to bmMSC injections were observed. One patient was diagnosed with a local adenocarcinoma of the rectum 106 months after first bmMSC injection. MRI control 11 months prior showed complete fistula remission. The tumour exhibited a female karyotype, while bmMSC had been derived from a male volunteer.

CONCLUSION: In this analysis, 62% of complex perianal and 50% of rectovaginal fistulas showed long-term remission up to 8 years post-bmMSC therapy. Further real-world data are needed.