Considerations in the design of non-clinical development programmes to support non-viral genetically modified mesenchymal stromal cell therapies

Abstract

Due to their immune suppressive pharmacology, regenerative capacity, and immune privileged status, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are an attractive cell type to treat a variety of diseases. Genetically engineered MSCs are currently in non-clinical and clinical development for a wide range of applications including the delivery of pro-drugs and therapeutic proteins or modified to enhance their regenerative potential. Unmodified MSCs have been shown to have good safety profiles in clinical development. The introduction of exogenous transgenes introduces possible additional risks that need to be assessed in non-clinical studies prior to initiating clinical studies. The use of ex vivo non-viral genetic modification approaches potentially reduces the risks associated with viral vector transfection approaches, including the potential for cell transformation. This review provides an overview of the regulatory-compliant non-clinical proof-of-concept and safety studies required to take MSC-based gene therapy products from the bench to the clinic.