Stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are two invaluable regenerative medicine tools that utilize natural cells to expedite and improve healing. Both therapies have their place in veterinary medicine however when stem cell therapy and PRP are used together, the two therapies complement each other to create a synergistic effect that enhances the overall healing process.

Stem cells and PRP share similar mechanisms of action such as the ability to reduce pain and inflammation and stimulate wound healing. Stem cells, however, are unique in their ability to differentiate into various types of cells including cartilage, bone, muscle, and more, allowing them to respond to specific tissue and injury needs. This regenerative approach is especially beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis and tendon and ligament injuries where healing through traditional methods can be slow or incomplete.

PRP therapy, on the other hand, uses concentrated platelets to enhance healing. Platelets are rich in growth factors and cytokines that play a key role in tissue repair. When injected into an injury site, platelets release their growth factors and cytokines to reduce inflammation and attract stem cells and other healing cells to assist in the tissue repair process.

When used together, stem cell therapy and PRP work synergistically to amplify the healing properties of each. In multiple studies across several disease processes and injuries, the combination of stem cells and PRP proved to be more effective than the individual therapies alone. Stem cells provide the building blocks for new tissue formation, while PRP delivers the necessary growth factors and cytokines to optimize the regenerative environment. This combined approach not only accelerates healing but can also improve the long-term outcomes for pets suffering from chronic or acute injuries. By leveraging the strengths of both therapies, veterinarians can offer a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan, helping pets return to their normal activities faster and with less pain.

VetStem’s latest development, PrecisePRP, is an off-the-shelf freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PrecisePRP is a donor derived, shelf stable product, which is unique in the market. It is also the only FDA-reviewed PRP available to veterinarians. PrecisePRP is available for both dogs and horses.

In contrast to existing PRP kits, which are autologous and require the animal to serve as both donor and recipient, PrecisePRP eliminates the need for a blood draw and processing. Typically, the current process involves drawing blood from the animal, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the PRP back into the animal to treat conditions such as joint disease and soft tissue injuries.

However, this traditional method can lead to inconsistencies. The concentration of platelets depends on the individual animal’s platelet count, which can vary due to several factors, potentially resulting in an insufficient therapeutic dose. Additionally, the blood processing itself can be susceptible to error and contamination, which can impact the final platelet concentration and sterility.

With PrecisePRP, these concerns are bypassed. PrecisePRP guarantees a consistent platelet dose with every use, as each batch undergoes rigorous quality and sterility testing. Additionally, donor animals are screened according to FDA CVM guidance 254. Moreover, PrecisePRP is hassle-free, requiring no blood draw or processing, making it a convenient option for veterinarians and their patients alike.

With the help of our veterinary clients, we have recently compiled additional outcome data for PrecisePRP Canine. A total of 59 dogs were enrolled and completed approximately 60-90 days post-injection evaluation using a 5-point quality of life score. Below are the outcomes per type of lesion treated in this study:

 

Condition Treated	Overall Quality of Life at 90 Days
	Signif Improved	Mildly Improved	No Change	Mildly Decreased	Signif Decreased
Cranial Cruciate Lig with Surgery	25	4	1
Cranial Cruciate Lig w/o Surgery	9	1			1
Tendon/Ligament Other	2
Osteoarthritis	6	4
OCD Shoulder	1
Fracture Augment	2	1
MPL with Surgery	1
Avulsion Repair Augment	1
Totals	47	10	1	0	1
Total Completed by 9/24/24	59

 

As the data shows above, the efficacy using a 5-point QOL score was demonstrated with 47/59 (79.66%) of the dogs significantly improved and 10/59 (16.95%) of the dogs mildly improved. One dog worsened in the 90-day time period due to reinjury. You can learn more about PrecisePRP and read the entire safety and efficacy study here: https://vetstem.com/pprp.php.

This week, we are debuting our latest product, PrecisePRP™, at the Fetch DVM360 veterinary conference in Kansas City, MO. This is our first conference since we launched the product, and we are very excited to get in front of veterinarians and technicians to explain what a game-changer PrecisePRP™ is for the industry!

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is defined as concentrated platelets in plasma. It is a therapeutic regenerative medicine modality that is commonly used to treat joint disease, such as osteoarthritis, as well as soft tissue injuries (tendon, ligament), and wounds. Unfortunately, there are several variables that can affect the concentration of platelets used for treatment, which can then affect the treatment outcome.  

How is PRP Produced?

Platelet-rich plasma is most frequently produced in the veterinary clinic using a pet’s own blood. The blood is drawn from the patient then filtered or centrifuged using a mechanical PRP kit. There are several mechanical PRP kits on the market currently, each of which requires a unique processing method. Once the blood is run through the kit, the end result is PRP, which is then injected directly into the problem area (i.e., joint, tendon lesion, wound, etc.).

Disadvantages of Mechanical PRP Kits

There are several disadvantages that come with producing PRP using a mechanical kit. Perhaps the most significant of these is the variability of the final PRP used to treat the patient. Numerous factors can affect the final platelet concentration such as the current health of the patient, platelet count of the patient, operator handling of the sample, and the effectiveness of the kit used to produce the PRP. Ultimately, if the PRP doesn’t contain what is considered a therapeutic dose of concentrated platelets, the patient likely won’t experience much relief.

This variability was made apparent when, in researching PRP kits, we performed a comparison of four PRP kits for the production of equine PRP. Each kit demonstrated a lack of uniformity relating to the final platelet count and platelet concentration. Moreover, each kit failed to meet their respective platelet concentration claim.

Consistency with PrecisePRP™

We didn’t feel comfortable selling PRP kits that would potentially lead to poor treatment outcomes. So instead, we invented PrecisePRP™, a freeze-dried donor-derived platelet-rich plasma currently available in a dog and horse format. PrecisePRP™ Canine and PrecisePRP™ Equine do not require processing to produce PRP, instead your veterinarian will simply rehydrate and inject.

Each vial of PrecisePRP™ undergoes rigorous quality testing to meet precise product release specifications. This results in a uniform and consistent PRP product, eliminating the variability mentioned above so that veterinarians know exactly what they’re injecting every single time. PrecisePRP™ donors are screened according to FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine guidance and in controlled safety studies of dogs and horses, there were no notable adverse events related to treatment with PrecisePRP™.

Veterinarians interested in purchasing PrecisePRP™ should contact Customer Service.