Transdiscal Administration Of Specific Inhibitors Of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
The present invention relates to injecting a high specificity cytokine antagonist into a diseased intervertebral disc.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of treating a patient having low back pain, comprising, injecting a formulation into the disc of the patient, wherein the formulation comprises:
i) concentrated, allogenic, mesenchymal progenitor cells, wherein the cells were obtained from bone marrow aspirate by immunoabsorption with antibodies selected to recognize:
a) STRO-1 cell surface antigen; and
b) a cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily having a first sequence comprising CXXXGXPXPXXXWXXXG; and
ii) a hyaluronic acid carrier.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily has a second sequence comprising PXEXVXXXV.
23 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule from the immunoglobulin superfamily has a third sequence comprising LXXXXXGXYXC.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the cell adhesion molecule is SB-10.
25 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the antibodies are selected to recognize alkaline phosphatase.
26 . The method of claim 21 , which, prior to injection, further comprises:
i. introducing a needle having a bore into a degenerating intervertebral disc of the patient, wherein the needle has a stylet in its bore; and
ii. removing the stylet from the bore,
wherein the injection of the formulation occurs through the needle and into the disc.
27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the cells are concentrated using centrifugation.
28 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the cells are concentrated using filtration.
29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the stem cells are derived from bone marrow aspirate.
30 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the cells are administered into the nucleus pulposus.
31 . The method of claim 21 , wherein a portion of the nucleus pulposus is removed prior to administering the cells into the intervertebral disc.
32 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the administering of the cells is accomplished through a needle.
33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the needle has a maximum gauge of 24 gauge.