Celularity Inc. announced results from an exploratory analysis of Phase 1 data evaluating alterations in gene and protein signatures associated with reduced inflammation and fistula formation resulting from therapy with mesenchymal-like adherent stromal cells (MLASCs) in adult patients with Crohn's disease (CD). These data were presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, which is being held May 16-20th in Los Angeles. (Placental-Derived Mesenchymal-Like Adherent Stromal Cell (MLASC) Therapy Results in Alterations in Gene and Protein Signatures Associated with Inflammation and Fistula Formation in Patients with Crohn's Disease, Kilcoyne, et al., Poster Session 1111.) In this study, two patient groups were evaluated: patients who responded to MLASC therapy (n=12) and patients who received placebo (n=12).

For each of the 24 patients, mRNA gene expression data and proteomics data were provided at early pre-treatment, at pre-treatment baseline, at early post-treatment) and at later post-treatment. The results of this analysis showed that in CD, MLASC treatment resulted in alterations in gene and protein signatures associated with inflammation and fistula formation. This analysis provides some insight into pathways associated with severity of CD and suggests that gene and protein profiling of blood plasma might be useful for assessing disease severity and treatment response.

It also suggests that MLASCs may be a potential therapeutic option in both managing the disease but also, importantly, in limiting fistula formation.