Spheroids of human autologous matrix-associated chondrocytes, sold under the brand name Spherox, is a medication used to repair defects to the

cartilage Cartilage is a resilient and smooth type of connective tissue. Semi-transparent and non-porous, it is usually covered by a tough and fibrous membrane called perichondrium. In tetrapods, it covers and protects the ends of long bones at the joints ...

in the knee in adults who are experiencing

knee pain Knee pain is pain in or around the knee. The knee joint consists of an articulation between four bones: the femur, tibia, fibula and patella. There are four compartments to the knee. These are the medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartments, the ...

and problems moving the knee. It is used where the affected area is no larger than . The most common side effects include

arthralgia Arthralgia () literally means ' joint pain'. Specifically, arthralgia is a symptom of injury, infection, illness (in particular arthritis), or an allergic reaction to medication Medication (also called medicament, medicine, pharmaceuti ...

and

joint effusion A joint effusion is the presence of increased intra-articular fluid. It may affect any joint. Commonly it involves the knee (see knee effusion). Diagnostic approach The approach to diagnosis depends on the joint involved. While aspiration ...

, which can cause swelling of the joint. Spherox contains

spheroids A spheroid, also known as an ellipsoid of revolution or rotational ellipsoid, is a quadric surface (mathematics), surface obtained by Surface of revolution, rotating an ellipse about one of its principal axes; in other words, an ellipsoid with t ...

(spherical aggregates) of

chondrocytes Chondrocytes (, ) are the only cells found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans. Although the word '' chondroblast'' is commonly used to describe an immatu ...

, cells found in healthy cartilage, that have been prepared from the patient's own tissues.

Medical uses

Spherox is indicated for the repair of symptomatic

articular cartilage Hyaline cartilage is the glass-like (hyaline) and translucent cartilage found on many joint surfaces. It is also most commonly found in the ribs, nose, larynx, and trachea. Hyaline cartilage is pearl-gray in color, with a firm consistency and has ...

defects of the

femoral condyle The lower extremity of femur (or distal extremity) is the lower end of the femur (thigh bone) in human and other animals, closer to the knee. It is larger than the upper extremity of femur, is somewhat cuboid in form, but its transverse diameter ...

and the

patella The patella (: patellae or patellas), also known as the kneecap, is a flat, rounded triangular bone which articulates with the femur (thigh bone) and covers and protects the anterior articular surface of the knee joint. The patella is found in m ...

of the knee (International Cartilage Repair Society CRSgrade III or IV) with defect sizes up to in adults. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. To prepare the medicine, a small sample is taken by

arthroscopy Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic or keyhole surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope, an endoscope that is inserted into the j ...

from the patient's cartilage in the knee. The cartilage cells are then grown in the laboratory to prepare a suspension of chondrocyte spheroids. During arthroscopy, the medicine is placed into the damaged area of the patient's cartilage. The chondrocyte spheroids attach to the cartilage within 20 minutes. People treated with Spherox should follow a specific rehabilitation program including

physiotherapy Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is a healthcare profession, as well as the care provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through patient education, physical intervention, disease preventio ...

. This allows the chondrocyte spheroids to fill in the cartilage defect.

History

Spherox has been shown to improve symptoms and knee function in two studies in adults between 18 and 50 years of age. The main measure of effectiveness was the KOOS , which is graded on a scale of 0 to 100 (where 0 means severest symptoms and 100 means no symptoms). The KOOS was self-measured by participants rating the severity of their symptoms such as pain, impact on daily living, sport and recreational activities, and quality of life.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spheroids Of Human Autologous Matrix Associated Chondrocytes Cartilage replacement therapy

Medical uses

History

See also

References