Utility of routine evaluation of sterility of cellular therapy products with or without extensive manipulation: Best practices and clinical significance.

Background: We analyzed the results of routine sterility testing performed in our center over the last 10 years, in the context both hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMPs).

Methods: For sterility tests 14-day cultures were performed in culture media detecting aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms.

Results: In this study, 22/1643 (1.

Clinical grade expansion of MSCs.

Producing advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines represents a global challenge for the expansion of cells intended for human use. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from different sources are one of the most actively developed cell type for a variety of clinical applications in cellular therapy. Complying with GMP means defining accurately both the production process and the release criteria required for a final safe product.

Treatment of graft versus host disease with mesenchymal stromal cells: a phase I study on 40 adult and pediatric patients.

This phase I multicenter study was aimed at assessing the feasibility and safety of intravenous administration of third party bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) expanded in platelet lysate in 40 patients (15 children and 25 adults), experiencing steroid-resistant grade II to IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Patients received a median of 3 MSC infusions after having failed conventional immunosuppressive therapy. A median cell dose of 1.