Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stem cell treatment for severe anemia in a cat with feline leukemia
By Maruri, Alejandro et al.·Published in Cytotherapy·2026·ITECA·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for nonregenerative anemia in a FeLV-infected cat: a case report.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old cat with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) was suffering from severe anemia that wasn't responding to standard treatments. The veterinarian tried a new approach using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from a healthy donor, which were given through both an injection into the bone and an IV. One month later, the cat's blood levels improved significantly, allowing the vet to stop corticosteroid treatment within two months. The cat remained healthy and stable for over two and a half years without needing more therapy.
People also search for: cat anemia treatment · FeLV cat prognosis · mesenchymal stromal cells for cats
Abstract
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) induces hematologic abnormalities, including anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, primarily through disruption of hematopoiesis. Current treatments for FeLV-induced nonregenerative anemia are limited, and the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in this context remains unexplored. This case report describes a 4-year-old FeLV-infected cat with severe refractory anemia and bone marrow erythroid hypoplasia treated with allogeneic adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AMSCs) via combined intraosseous and intravenous delivery (10 million cells per route, 20 million total). The AMSCs were isolated from a healthy donor, expanded, and characterized prior to administration. One month post-treatment, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels significantly improved, enabling corticosteroid discontinuation within 60 days. The cat remained clinically stable without further therapy for 32 months. This case highlights the potential of MSC therapy as a novel approach for FeLV-associated anemia, demonstrating promising long-term outcomes and warranting further investigation.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41689919/