Glycocalyx-edited mesenchymal stem/stromal cell therapy in advanced osteoporosis.

Glycocalyx-edited autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs reduced fragility fractures markedly and durably in ten women with advanced-stage osteoporosis, alongside increased osteoanabolic BTMs and BTA.

• Why it matters: MSC osteoregenerative potential is limited by poor bone-homing (osteotropism), and it is unclear whether MSCs from older or diseased tissue remain biologically effective.
• What they did: In a first-in-human trial (NCT02566655), ten women received a single intravenous infusion of glycocalyx-edited MSCs enforcing sLeX expression, with 2-year protocol evaluations and >3-year fracture and safety follow-up.
• The result: No serious adverse events occurred, and the therapy was linked to increased osteoanabolic bone turnover markers, bone tissue area, and volumetric BMD, supporting MSC-based osteoporosis treatment and refuting biological compromise in older/diseased sources.

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