Manufacturing of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Survey within the European Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Cristina Trento , Bernardo Maria Ester , Nagler Arnon , Kuci Selim , Bornhäuser Martin , Köhl Ulrike , Strunk Dirk , Gaipa Giuseppe , Introna Martino , Lazzari Lorenza , Apperley Jane F. , Bukauskas Adomas , Le Blanc Katarina , Van Campenhout Ann , Beguin Yves , Kuball Jurgen , van der Werf Steffi Maria , Ruiz de Elvira Carmen , Chabannon Christian , Roelofs Helene , Bonini Chiara , Dazzi Francesco 
Published: October 2019

The immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been widely exploited in the clinical setting to control severe graft-versus host disease (GvHD). Although not randomized, several studies have convincingly shown that MSC can induce good clinical responses, and patients who respond exhibit much improved survival. However, the factors predictive of clinical responses have not yet been identified, and what may complicate the interpretation of the results is the potential heterogeneity of the MSC preparation, especially in the absence of any validated potency assay. Clinical scale manufacturing of therapeutic MSC is performed according to different protocols that vary for MSC source (bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood or tissue), extraction methods, expansion protocols and product specificity.A harmonized protocol for the production and product specification would be therefore beneficial to better compare the results obtained amongst different Centers.In order to acquire information on the variability in the MSC manufacturing process we have sent a questionnaire tothe European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) Centers registered as producing MSC. Initial data from 15 centers were obtained and analyzed. The majority of centers manufacture MSC from bone marrow (88%), whilst only 2 centers produce MSC from umbilical cord blood or cord tissue. One of the major changes in the manufacturing process has been the replacement of fetal bovine serum with human platelet lysate as a medium supplement. 90% of centers currently use platelet lysate, either commercially available or from pools of expired platelets obtained from the blood bank (Figure 1).60% of the centers use only allogeneic MSC, whilst one center manufactures only autologous MSC,and 67% of these facilities administer MSC exclusively from frozen batches. Aside from variations in the culture method, there is a large heterogeneity also regarding product specification. Phenotypical characterization represents a fundamental release criterion for all centers, and all surveyed facilities conduct analysis for the expression of CD73, CD90 and CD105, and CD45 through flow cytometry. However, the threshold of marker expression that is accepted as a release criterion is highly variable, as the acceptance value for CD45 expression can be set at less than 20%, 10%, 5%, 2% or 1% (Figure 2). Similarly, threshold percentage of positive marker expression varies from 70% to a very stringent 95%. Furthermore, the addition of several other markers to the negative and positive panel of expression for product specification is again unsystematic, with a high variability in the release threshold levels and in the type of markers analyzed. Most centers add CD19, CD34, CD14, HLA-DR and CD3 negativity to the panel, and only 2 centers check expression of CD166. Alongside product specification meeting sterility and mycoplasma free product, 73% of centers checks for presence of endotoxin in the final formulation. The majority of centers (67%) perform karyotyping, whilst only 27% analyze the immunosuppressive activity of MSC against mitogen activated T cells, and only 33% of the centers determine differentiation ability of MSC into adipocyte, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. These tests are not always performed in parallel, as only 2 centers test tri-lineage differentiation and karyotyping, 3 centers analyze anti-proliferation activity in conjunction with karyotype and 1 center examines differentiation alongside immunosuppressive activity.

The initial data collected from this survey indicate that there is a high variability of culture method, supplement material and, even more importantly, difference in acceptance criteria for release of MSC as clinical product. Furthermore, many of these criteria should be extensively revised as they are not entirely substantiated by scientific evidence. This survey should be considered the first step towards harmonization, which should bring to a better interpretation of clinical responses in patients in combination with scientific findings coming from pre-clinical models and in vitro studies.

Disclosures

Apperley: Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Ariad: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Kuball:Gadeta B.V,: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Bonini:Molmed SpA: Consultancy; TxCell: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.