Altered Acute Phase Response Signalling following Cartilage Harvest Can be Identified in the Plasma of 'Non-responder' Patients to Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

Description

In this presentation, Charlotte Hulme, a postdoctoral researcher at Keele University, discusses her research on the outcomes of patients undergoing Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI), a cell therapy designed to treat cartilage defects. She outlines the two-phased surgical approach where cartilage is first harvested and then cultured before implantation. The success of ACI is often assessed using the Lysholm score, which evaluates pain and function over a 12-month postoperative period.



Hulme emphasizes the need to understand why some patients respond positively to the therapy while others do not, proposing that clinical biomarkers could aid in predicting outcomes. Her focus on proteomics has led to findings that show significant differences in plasma proteins between patients who respond favorably and those who do not. Specifically, she's studied the acute phase response and is looking to identify specific protein markers that could be translated into clinical practice. The results indicate that inflammatory responses in the plasma and synovial fluid are linked to the patients' outcomes post-surgery, and the research highlights the potential of using plasma samples as a more accessible alternative to synovial fluid analysis.



Additionally, she discusses the implications of these findings for future treatment plans, including the possibility of delaying surgery or administering anti-inflammatories to improve patient outcomes. The presentation concludes with her expressing gratitude to collaborators and patients involved in the research.

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