autologous cultured chondrocytes

Autologous cultured chondrocytes (marketed as Carticel) is a first-generation autologous cell therapy used for the repair of symptomatic, full-thickness cartilage defects of the femoral condyle (medial, lateral, or trochlea) caused by acute or repetitive trauma. The therapeutic process involves harvesting a small biopsy of healthy cartilage from a non-weight-bearing area of the patient's knee, expanding the chondrocytes in vitro over several weeks, and then surgically implanting the resulting cell suspension back into the defect. The cells are typically secured under a periosteal flap or a synthetic membrane. Originally developed by Genzyme (later acquired by Sanofi and then Vericel), it was the first cell therapy product to receive FDA approval in 1997. It is indicated for patients who have had an inadequate response to prior surgical repairs such as microfracture or debridement, but it is not intended for generalized osteoarthritis.

Brand names

Carticel

Other names

ACIautologous chondrocyte implantation