autologous chondrons + allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells

**IMPACT** is a one-stage cell-based regenerative therapy for focal articular cartilage defects in the knee, combining 10% recycled autologous chondrons (chondrocytes with native pericellular matrix) from debrided defect tissue with 90% allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) suspended in fibrin glue (e.g., Tisseel) for direct implantation via mini-arthrotomy. Allogeneic MSCs exert trophic paracrine effects, stimulating autologous chondrons to regenerate hyaline-like cartilage rich in proteoglycans and type II collagen, without detectable MSC engraftment (only patient DNA in biopsies at 12 months). Developed through investigator-driven trials at University Medical Center Utrecht, it showed safety (no treatment-related adverse events), significant clinical improvements (KOOS from 66 to 88 at 12 months), and structural repair (complete defect fill on MRI/second-look arthroscopy) in phase I (35 patients) for symptomatic knee cartilage defects (2-8 cm²), offering advantages over two-stage autologous chondrocyte implantation by avoiding cell expansion and enabling off-the-shelf MSCs.[1][2][4]

Other names

Instant MSC Product accompanying Autologous Chondron Transplantation